In a nutshell This study examined whether postural hypotension (low blood pressure associated with standing up) increases the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. Some background Many have experienced at sometime in their lives a dizzy or a lightheaded sensation after standing up from sitting or lying down. This...
Read MoreHypertension Posts on Medivizor
Do you know what form of hypertension you have?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the use of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements in blood pressure management. Some background Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. While blood pressure (BP) can be measured in the doctor’s office (office BP), it is suggested that a...
Read MoreWhat’s Up With All The Spoons? Spoonies
Being a Spoonie You may not know it but if you are a patient with a chronic illness, you may be a spoonie. In 2010 Christine Miserandino wrote a post called The Spoon Theory. In the post, Christine describes explaining to her best friend what it really feels like to live with Lupus. She asks her friend to hold 12 spoons and tells her that the spoons are...
Read More4 BIG Reasons Blood Pressure Matters
Blood pressure measurement history Before the first sphygmomanometer, doctors put tubes in arteries to measure systolic blood pressure. Happily, in 1881 Samuel Siegfried Karl Ritter von Basch figured out a way to measure blood pressure in a less invasive way, using a rubber ball that restricted blood flow to the artery and attaching that to a column of...
Read MoreStricter blood pressure goals; beneficial in chronic kidney disease?
In a nutshell This study compared the effect of strict vs. conventional blood pressure control on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease. Some background Hypertension (high blood pressure) is increasing in prevalence worldwide and is associated with heart diseases and stroke. Therefore many trials have sought to...
Read MoreA breakthrough in heart failure treatment?
In a nutshell This study compared the long-term effects of LCZ696 on morbidity (having a disease condition) and mortality (death) to those of enalapril in patients with chronic heart failure. Some background Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood through to meet the body's...
Read MoreCan low levels of salt be as dangerous as high levels?
In a nutshell This study examined the association of sodium intake with health outcomes in populations with low, usual and high sodium intake. Some background The effect of sodium intake on population health remains controversial. Increasing evidence suggests that dietary patterns associated with high salt (mainly sodium)...
Read MoreIs combination hypertension therapy effective and safe in the elderly?
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of aliskiren alone and with other antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure lowering and cardiovascular diseases prevention in elderly patients with mild hypertension. Some background Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular...
Read MorePrimary aldosteronism causing hypertension; early treatment improves outcomes
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of treatment on blood pressure and heart tissue changes in patients with primary aldosteronism. Some background Primary aldosteronism is a disease in which one or both adrenal glands (small glands attached to the top of each kidney) produce too much aldosterone. The two most common causes...
Read MoreInvitation for a trial to eliminate atrial fibrillation by removing nerve endings in the kidney arteries and abnormal heart tissue
In a nutshell The objective of this trial is to determine the role of renal sympathetic denervation in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with hypertension for whom a catheter-based AF ablation procedure is planned. The details Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained...
Read MoreDo warfarin and aspirin contribute to stroke occurence?
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of warfarin and aspirin on hemorrhagic stroke risk. Some background Hemorrhagic stroke constitutes approximately 10% to 20% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks, leaking blood into the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke encompasses several subtypes such...
Read MoreAlcohol and the elderly; is there a blood pressure impact?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the relationship between alcohol consumption and ambulatory blood pressure among the elderly. Some background Hypertension (high blood pressure) is increasing in prevalence worldwide, significantly contributing to morbidity (having a disease condition) and mortality (death). There is a general...
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