In a nutshell This article reviewed the latest questions and research concerning hypertension treatment today, with special emphasis on new generation drugs now becoming available. Some background Three drug classes; diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, comprise the mainstay of current...
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Heated water based exercise for resistant hypertension
In a nutshell This study examined the effects of heated water based exercise on blood pressure in resistant hypertensive patients. Some background High blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions of people, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, 10 to 30% of all patients with high blood pressure remain...
Read MorePreventing left ventricular hypertrophy with hypertension
In a nutshell This study examined the major risk factors for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients recently diagnosed with hypertension. Some background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), in which the muscle wall of the heart’s left pumping chamber (ventricle) becomes thickened (hypertrophy), is a serious cardiac...
Read MoreKeeping an eye on stroke risk
In a nutshell This study examined whether hypertensive retinopathy (eye damage caused by high blood pressure) could act as an independent predictor of the risk for strokes. Some background High blood pressure is a major risk factor for the development of strokes. Strokes often occur in hypertensive patients when an artery which supplies blood to...
Read MoreSmoking and Tobacco Products Infographic
Smoking and Tobacco Products Sales in the News According to a review of the history of tobacco control in the US, by the CDC, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1950, provided the first evidential link of smoking to cancers and other diseases. It took 40 years for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)...
Read MoreAmbulatory heart rate as a predictor of cardiovascular events
In a nutshell This study investigated the connection between ambulatory heart rate and the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Some background Patients with hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure) are at high risk of developing acute cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Several...
Read MoreAn efficient drug combination in hypertension therapy
In a nutshell This study evaluated the effect of the new direct renin inhibitor aliskiren (Tekturna), and compared its use in combination with different anti-hypertensive drugs. Some background Hypertension is a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (such as heart attacks and strokes). Therefore drug therapy aimed at...
Read More7 Reasons Why Patients Blog
Why do patients blog? Why do they reveal personal information and medical experiences on the Internet? 1) To Share Information Annette McKinnon, author of ‘Here’s Your Gold Watch, Rheutired,’ started her blog “to inform people about things I learned that seem obvious to me now, but were hard to learn.” Carolyn Thomas, author of “My Heart...
Read MoreIs high blood pressure a risk factor for coronary artery spasm?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the association between high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes mellitus, and C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) and coronary artery spasm. Some background A coronary artery spasm (CAS) is a sudden constriction, or narrowing, of one of the arteries that supply blood to the...
Read MoreCould beta-blockers prevent dementia?
In a nutshell This trial investigated the association between medications used to treat hypertension and the risk of developing cognitive impairment in elderly men. Some background Hypertension (high blood pressure) has been associated with the development of dementia (cognitive impairment or deteriorating mental state) late in life. Dementia can...
Read MoreExamining cholesterol reducing alternative therapies
In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of phytosterols, lifestyle modifications and red yeast rice at lowering cholesterol levels. Some background High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for numerous cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases. Proper management over blood cholesterol is known to reduce the incidence of...
Read MoreA new medication to lower cholesterol
In a nutshell This trial investigated the efficiency and tolerability of evolocumab as a cholesterol reducing drug. Some background High blood cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is an important factor in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure. Reduction of LDL-C levels, commonly referred to as the...
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