In a nutshell This study weighs the risks and benefits of giving blood pressure medications to frail elderly patients. Some background Humans are living longer than ever before. This longer lifespan presents new medical challenges. The risk of stroke and heart problems increases with age. One of the methods used to counteract...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to see if chlorthalidone is effective at lowering blood pressure in patients with poor kidney function. Some background The function of the kidney is to filter the blood and remove unnecessary molecules into the urine. When kidney function is low there can be too much or too little of these molecules taken...
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In a nutshell The researchers aimed to see whether day-to-day variations in blood pressure were associated with cognitive decline. Some background Modern advances in medicine and a greater awareness of our general health have meant that humans are living longer than ever before. However, longer lives lead to more age-associated...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study aimed to see if adding 4 servings of non-fat dairy products to the diet could reduce high blood pressure. Some background Having high blood pressure as you get older puts you at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 120 (systolic, the pressure when the heart is contracting)/ 80 (diastolic, the pressure when the...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to see if taking blood pressure medication in the evening rather than in the morning could improve the blood pressure of patients with sleep apnea. Some background In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the muscles of the throat relax, and can obstruct breathing for a short period of time. People that suffer...
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In a nutshell This paper studied whether renal denervation plus antihypertensive treatment is more effective than antihypertensive treatment alone. Some background Endovascular renal denervation with radiofrequency ablation is a procedure where radiofrequency is used to destroy nerves to the kidney. This procedure is used in the treatment of...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to see if the addition of an oriental medicine, Bofu-tsusho-san (BOF), to traditional western medical treatment could be beneficial in lowering high blood pressure in the treatment of obesity. Some background In the western world the rate of obesity is rising. Obesity is associated with the development of type 2...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to see whether statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs such as rosuvastatin [Crestor]) have a beneficial effect on blood flow to the heart. Some background Patients with coronary artery disease have blood vessels narrowed by cholesterol (a fatty substance that builds up on artery walls). Coronary flow rate (CFR) refers...
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In a nutshell This study examined the association between hypertension (high blood pressure), blood pressure medications and the risk of hyperparathyroidism. Some background The parathyroid gland controls the levels of calcium in the blood by releasing parathyroid hormone. An over-active parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism, or HPT) can...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether taking a drug to reduce high blood pressure at bedtime is more effective than taking the drug in the morning. Some background High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when blood pressure inside the body’s arteries is too high. This can put strain on the heart and damage blood vessels while...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether the Mediterranean diet can reduce blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels in patients at high risk of having a cardiovascular event (such as a heart attack) and with high blood pressure. Some background High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when pressure inside blood vessels is...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether diet influences high blood pressure during pregnancy. Some background High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls is too high. High blood pressure is often a complication of pregnancy, called gestational hypertension. High blood pressure...
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