In a nutshell This study compared home blood pressure telemonitoring with standard medical care in the management of high blood pressure. Some background High blood pressure, also known as hypertension (HTN), often requires regular checkups. However, regular physician appointments are impractical, and random measurements of blood pressure are...
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In a nutshell This study reviewed recent medical literature on treatments for high blood pressure which can also prevent heart failure. Some background High blood pressure (or hypertension – HTN) is a condition in which the pressure of blood circulating through the blood vessels (the arteries) is higher than normal. High blood pressure can...
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In a nutshell This analysis examined the effect of reduced blood pressure on major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. The incidence of these events was reviewed compared to the blood pressure values achieved with treatment. The effect of blood pressure reduction on kidney damage was also reviewed. Some background High blood...
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In a nutshell In this study researchers examined how modest reductions in salt intake can affect blood pressure. Some background High blood pressure (hypertension) dramatically increases the risk of heart disease and strokes. Reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of serious complications. The average salt intake among...
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This article reviewed the recent advances in the treatment of hypertension (HTN) as published in the latest clinical trials. During the past two years, a large focus has been given to the treatment of resistance hypertension. It is defined as persistently high blood pressure despite medical treatment with at least 3 blood pressure lowering drugs....
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In a nutshell This phase II trial evaluated the benefit of a new drug of the aldosterone synthase inhibitors class in the treatment of high blood pressure. Different doses of this new drug were compared to a placebo, and the effects on blood pressure were reviewed. Some background Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, and a key...
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In a nutshell This large meta-analysis (an analysis combining data from several similar studies) reviewed the effects of beta-blocker therapy as an initial choice in the treatment of hypertension. Some background Beta-blockers (such as neobloc, zebeta and lopressor) are commonly prescribed for hypertension. Beta-blockers reduce blood pressure...
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In a nutshell This study looks at stroke risk among black Americans and white Americans, and compares groups by age and by matching systolic blood pressures. Some background Stroke (a sudden brain dysfunction caused by an interrupted blood supply) is a major cause of death and disability. High blood pressure (hypertension, or HTN), is a...
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In a nutshell In this article, the latest clinical trials are reviewed in an attempt to conclude what is the optimal blood pressure target for patients of cardiovascular (CV) events, such as heart attack or stroke. Some background Hypertension is defined as blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg at rest. The higher value is called systolic (SBP),...
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In a nutshell This study compared the overall survival of patients with high blood pressure who took angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) with patients who did not. Some background ACEI (e.g. Enalapril, Vasotec) are drugs used for reducing blood pressure, which work by modulating the...
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In a nutshell Nowadays, patients with mild HTN and no other cardiovascular (CV) disease are treated with anti-hypertensive drugs despite there being no evidence (clinical trials) supporting this practice. This review put this practice into test, evaluating if medical therapy reduce the risk of death or CV events among these subjects. Some...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated a new therapy called catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) for patients with resistant high blood pressure. Some background Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure (BP) exceeds 140/90 mmHg at rest. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the higher value (measured while the...
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