hypertension and high blood pressure

	Hypertension And High Blood Pressure Understanding Hypertension And High Blood Pressure Hypertension And Massage What Causes Hypertension
	Hypertension And High Blood Pressure Cardiovascular Disease And Hypertension Hypertension Medications Salt And Hypertension Water Drinking And Hypertension Hypertension And Neck Pain
	A condition in which blood pressure is consistently above the normal range. Individuals with hypertension have a great risk of developing AF.

	Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Global Anti-hypertensive Drugs Market to Exceed $66.2 Billion by 2015, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Anti-hypertensive Drugs markets. The world market for anti-hypertensive drugs is projected to exceed $66.2 billion by the year 2015. This is primarily driven by a rapid rise in the number of patients suffering from high blood pressure, an aging population, and growing diagnosis and treatment rates. Angiotensin II blockers represent the largest class of drug in terms of revenue generation among the five major classes of drugs used for the treatment of hypertension. (PRWeb Feb 8, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/anti_hypertensive_drugs/blood_pressure_medicines/prweb3453394.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals) Diuretic plus CCB linked to higher MI risk than other combinations A case?control study in low-risk patients with hypertension suggests that treatment with a combination of diuretics and calcium channel blockers may be associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction compared with other commonly used antihypertensive combination regimens including diuretics. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension) Blood pressure: What you can do for yourself There are two kinds of people in the United States -- ones who have high blood pressure now and ones who have a very good chance of getting it someday. That's bad news, because high blood pressure, technically known as hypertension, raises the risk for stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease and eye damage, including blindness. (Source: L.A. Times - Health) Blood pressure: exercise Dozens of studies have reported a link between exercise and lowered blood pressure: Some have found reductions of up to 10 mm Hg (systolic) and 6 to 10 mm Hg (diastolic) blood pressure units in people who already have hypertension. (Source: L.A. Times - Health) Blood pressure: the DASH diet DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, an eight-week clinical trial , reported in 1997, that tested the effects of three diets on 459 adults. Among the group, 133 had high blood pressure for which they were not being treated with a drug. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Blood pressure: weight loss As people gain weight, their blood pressure tends to go up. Fortunately, as they lose weight, their blood pressure tends to go down -- but only so far, says Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of preventive cardiology and director of the hypertension clinic at UCLA. "If your body weight is normal, getting below doesn't help," she says. (Source: L.A. Times - Health) Risk of sudden cardiac death or near death with venlafaxine compared with other antidepressants Source: BMJ Area: News According to the results of this nested case control study published early online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the use of venlafaxine was not associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death or near death than fluoxetine, dosulepin, or citalopram, in patients with depression or anxiety.   The authors of the study note the cardiac cautions/contra-indications with venlafaxine, and advice issued by the MHRA in 2006 (revision of previous advice) that patients at very high risk of ventricular arrhythmia or with uncontrolled hypertension should not use venlafaxine.  They note that that there has to their knowledge been no systematic study evaluating the risk of haemodynamically significant (malignant) arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death associa... First DNA link to human ageing found Discovery of gene sequence could aid drug design for age-related illnessesScientists have isolated a gene sequence that appears to determine how fast our bodies age, the first time a link between DNA and human lifespan has been found.The discovery could have a profound impact on public health and raises the best hope yet for drugs that prevent the biological wear and tear behind common age-related conditions such as heart disease and certain cancers.The work is expected to pave the way for screening programmes to spot people who are likely to age fast and be more susceptible to heart problems and other conditions early in life. People who test positive for the gene variant in their 20s could be put on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and encouraged to exercise, eat healthily and avoid smo... Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News) A case of fatal caffeine poisoning. - Rudolph T, Knudsen K. Caffeine is a natural alkaloid methylxanthine that is found in various plants such as coffee or tea. Symptoms of a severe overdose may present with hypokalemia, hyponatremia, ventricular arrhythmias, hypertension followed by hypotension, respiratory fai... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Experience of a single center with congenital hepatic fibrosis: A review of the literature. Authors: Shorbagi A, Bayraktar Y Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive inherited malformation defined pathologically by a variable degree of periportal fibrosis and irregularly shaped proliferating bile ducts. It is one of the fibropolycystic diseases, which also include Caroli disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Clinically it is characterized by hepatic fibrosis, portal hypertension, and renal cystic disease. CHF is known to occur in association with a range of both inherited and non-inherited disorders, with multiorgan involvement, as a result of ductal plate malformation. Because of the similarities in the clinical picture, it is necessary to differentiate CHF from idiopathic portal hypertens... Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News) Resting heart rate and blood pressure, independent of each other, proportionally raise the risk for type-2 diabetes mellitus Conclusions Resting heart rate and BP proportionally raise the risk for DM in middle-aged healthy men and women. Moreover, the adverse effects of fast heart rate and high BP are independent of each other as well as of the influences of conventional confounders. (Source: International Journal of Epidemiology) How willing are the public to pay for anti-hypertensive drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a survey in a Chinese city Conclusion The public in China are significantly misinformed and considerably over estimate the risk of hypertension and the benefit of treatment. The public's willingness to pay for anti-hypertensive drugs is much lower than the current guidelines implicitly assume. The willingness to pay should be considered, along with other factors, when prescribing anti-hypertensive drugs to an individual patient or making hypertension guidelines for a population. (Source: International Journal of Epidemiology) Blood pressure: weight loss As people gain weight, their blood pressure tends to go up. Fortunately, as they lose weight, their blood pressure tends to go down -- but only so far, says Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of preventive cardiology and director of the hypertension clinic at UCLA. "If your body weight is normal, getting below doesn't help," she says. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> High incidence of severe cyclosporine neurotoxicity in children affected by haemoglobinopaties undergoing myeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: early diagnosis and prompt intervention ameliorates neurological outcome Conclusions: Our experience suggests that paediatric patients with haemoglobinopaties have a high incidence of CSA related neurological events with no correlation between serum CSA levels and neurotoxicity. Prognosis is good following CSA removal. Specific prodromes such as arterial hypertension, headache or visual disturbances occurring in the early post-transplant period should be carefully evaluated with electrophysiological and MRI-based imaging in order to intervene promptly and avoid irreversible sequels. (Source: BioMed Central) New Theory Shakes Accepted Ideas of Salt Balance and Hypertension In this video blog, Dr. Jeff Berns discusses articles that challenge the widely held explanation for electrolyte homeostasis and suggest a possible new approach to blood pressure control. Medscape Nephrology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines) Interventions to achieve long-term weight loss in obese older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis Conclusions: although modest weight reductions were observed, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the efficacy of weight loss programmes in older people. (Source: Age and Ageing) Diagnosis and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis Abstract  Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) can develop pulmonary hypertension (PH; mean pulmonary artery pressure ? 25 mm Hg) caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), left ventricular disease, or pulmonary fibrosis. PAH is a pulmonary vascular disease, the diagnosis of which requires pulmonary capillary wedge pressure less than 15 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance greater than 3 Wood Units, and exclusion of thromboembolism and parenchymal lung disease. Molecular mechanisms underlying PAH-SSc include activation of inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways in the vasculature and right ventricle. Circulating autoantibodies trigger endothelial damage and fibroblast activation. PAH most commonly occurs as a late complication in patients with limi... Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Renal Sympathetic Denervation and Systemic Hypertension In conclusion, this review outlines the pathophysiologic background of RSD, describes the past and the present of this interventional approach, and considers several future potential applications. (Source: The American Journal of Cardiology) Meta-analysis of individual participant data: rationale, conduct, and reporting (Source: BMJ Online First) Venlafaxine and cardiovascular toxicity (Source: BMJ Online First) Football for fighting fat Conclusion This was a very small study that showed that both football and running improved fitness over a 12-week period, by reducing body fat and improving lung function. However, while The Daily Telegraph suggested that the footballers saw their blood pressure fall by an average of twice as much as the runners, this is misleading. The researchers did not find a statistically significant difference in the blood pressure reduction seen between the groups. Other points to note: Although it was possible to compare the before and after effects for each type of exercise, and some of the differences found were statistically significant, the numbers in the study were too small to compare which type of exercise is better for you. The cholesterol levels in the three study groups varied prior ... Test Developed At Yale Can Help Predict And Diagnose Preeclampsia Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a simple urine test to rapidly predict and diagnose preeclampsia, a common, but serious hypertensive complication of pregnancy. Dubbed the "Congo Red Dot Test" by the research team, the test accurately predicted preeclampsia in a study of 347 pregnant women, allowing health care providers to offer better preventive care to pregnant women... (Source: Hypertension News From Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Clinical and endoscopic analysis of gastric Dieulafoy's lesion. CONCLUSION: DL is uncommon but life-threatening in China. Hemoclip proved to be safe and effective in controlling bleeding from DL. PMID: 20128034 [PubMed - in process] (Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG) Lack of Effect of Moderate Hypothermia on Brain Tissue Oxygenation after Acute Intracranial Hypertension in Pigs Journal of Neurotrauma , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Journal of Neurotrauma) Coronary Heart Disease From a Life-Course Approach: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study, 1998-2004 Discussion: Policies and programs aimed at improving the conditions of poor children and their families may effectively reduce the prevalence of CHD in later life. (Source: Journal of Aging and Health) Administration of a low dose of sildenafil for one week decreases intrahepatic resistance in rats with biliary cirrhosis: The role of NO bioavailability Conclusions: Sildenafil treatment improves endothelial dysfunction by augmenting NO bioavailability in hepatic microcirculation. (Source: Clinical Science) Diuretic plus CCB linked to higher MI risk than other combinations A case?control study in low-risk patients with hypertension suggests that treatment with a combination of diuretics and calcium channel blockers may be associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction compared with other commonly used antihypertensive combination regimens including diuretics. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Rare, But Serious Liver Complication Seen in People Taking Didanosine ?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting healthcare professionals and patients about a rare, but serious, complication in the liver known as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in patients using Videx or Videx EC (didanosine). Didanosine is a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Videx was the first approved didanosine medication. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx. ?Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (portal hypertension that is not caused by cirrhosis of the liver) is rare in the United States. It occurs when blood flow in the major vein in the liver (the portal vein) slows down. This slowed blood flow can lead to the development of severely enlarged esophageal veins (varices) in the gastrointestinal system. Because esophage... Kaletra (Lopinavir/Ritonavir) Product Label Updated to Revise Drug-Drug Interactions ?On January 29, 2009, FDA approved revisions to the Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) package insert to include drug-drug interaction information for concurrent Kaletra administration with inhaled medicines such as salmeterol or salmeterol in combination with fluticasone propionate (Serevent, Advair) and sildenafil (Revatio). ?Specifically, sildenafil (Revatio) when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is listed under Contraindications ? because a safe and effective dose has not been established when used with Kaletra. There is an increased potential for sildenafil-associated adverse events, including visual abnormalities, hypotension, prolonged erections and syncope. ? ?Concurrent administration of salmeterol and Kaletra is not recommended. The combination may... Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based intervention for improving patient adherence to antihypertensives: a randomized controlled trial This study aims to test a specific intervention package that could be integrated into the community pharmacy workflow to enable pharmacists to improve patient adherence and/or persistence with antihypertensive medications - Hypertension Adherence Program in Pharmacy (HAPPY). Methods: The HAPPY trial is a multi-centre prospective randomised controlled trial. Fifty-six pharmacies have been recruited from three Australian states. To identify potential patients, a software application (MedeMine CVD) extracted data from a community pharmacy dispensing software system (FRED Dispense(R)). The pharmacies have been randomised to either 'Pharmacist Care Group' (PCG) or 'Usual Care Group' (UCG). To check for 'Hawthorne effect' in the UCG, a third group of patients 'Hidden Control Group' (HCG) will be... Surveillance of certain health behaviors and conditions among States and selected local areas --- behavioral risk factor surveillance system, United States, 2007. This report presents results for 2007 for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, 184 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), and 298 counties. Results: In 2007, prevalence estimates of risk behaviors, chronic conditions, and the use of preventive services varied substantially by state and territory, MMSA, and county. The following is a summary of results listed by BRFSS question topic. Each set of proportions refers to the range of estimated prevalence for the disease, condition, or behavior, as reported by the survey subject. Adults who reported fair or poor health: 11% to 32% for states and territories and 6% to 31% for MMSAs and counties. Adults with health-care coverage: 71% to 94% for states and territories ... Incidence of Appropriate Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks and Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure Treated With Combined Cardiac Resynchronization Plus Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy Versus Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy In conclusion, statins reduced and smoking and digoxin increased appropriate ICD shocks. Use of CRT, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers reduced mortality and hypertension, diabetes, and older age increased mortality. (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Kidney Flow and Function in Hypertension: Protective Effects of Pycnogenol in Hypertensive Participants--A Controlled Study This study evaluated the effects of Pycnogenol as an adjunct to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor ramipril treatment of hypertensive patients presenting with early signs of renal function problems. One group of 26 patients was medicated with 10 mg ramipril per day only; a second group of 29 patients took Pycnogenol in addition to the ACE inhibitor over a period of 6 months. At trial end, a lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found in both groups, with a significant further reduction of diastolic pressure in the group given Pycnogenol in addition to ramipril. The major aim of this study was the investigation of kidney-protective effects of Pycnogenol. Urinary albumin decreased from 87 ± 23 to 64 ± 16 mg/d with ramipril only. Additional Pycnogenol lowe... Comparison of Puerariae Radix and Its Hydrolysate on Stimulation of Hyaluronic Acid Production in NHEK Cells. In conclusion, PR preparations would stimulate HA production in NHEK cells which might be used as a new cosmetic ingredient in moisturizers and an anti-aging agent. PMID: 20128051 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Chinese Medicine) Global metabolic consequences of the chromogranin A-null model of hypertension: transcriptomic detection, pathway identification, and experimental verification Chromogranin A (CHGA) has a crucial role in formation of regulated secretory granules in neuroendocrine tissues and is also a prohormone that is proteolytically processed into peptides with diverse and complex actions. CHGA and several of its peptide products, including catestatin and pancreastatin, are implicated in pathogenesis of essential hypertension, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome. The Chga knockout mouse (Chga KO) displays severe hypertension coupled with reduction in size, number, and density of regulated secretory granules. We performed genome-wide transcriptome profiling in Chga KO adrenal gland and liver for insight into biochemical and physiological systems altered in this monogenic mouse model of hypertension. Adrenal gene expression pathway prediction of enhan... Transcriptional and physiological responses to chronic ACTH treatment by the mouse kidney We investigated the effects on urinary steroid and electrolyte excretion and renal gene expression of chronic infusions of ACTH in the mouse. ACTH caused a sustained increase in corticosteroid excretion; aldosterone excretion was only transiently elevated. There was an increase in the excretion of deoxycorticosterone, a weak mineralocorticoid, to levels of physiological significance. Nevertheless, we observed neither antinatriuresis nor kaliuresis in ACTH-treated mice, and plasma renin activity was not suppressed. We identified no changes in expression of mineralocorticoid target genes. Water turnover was increased in chronic ACTH-treated mice, as were hematocrit and hypertonicity: volume contraction is consistent with high levels of glucocorticoid. ACTH-treated mice exhibited other signs ... Darusentan in Resistant Hypertension: Lost in Translation Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical Trial ReportDOI 10.1007/s11906-009-0081-yAuthors Frank Enseleit, University Hospital Zurich Cardiovascular Center Cardiology Rämistrasse 100 8091 Zürich SwitzerlandFrank Ruschitzka, University Hospital Zurich Cardiovascular Center Cardiology Rämistrasse 100 8091 Zürich Switzerland Journal Current Hypertension ReportsOnline ISSN 1534-3111Print ISSN 1522-6417 (Source: Current Hypertension Reports)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Recent Advances in Genetics of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Abstract  The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most widely used animal model of essential hypertension and associated metabolic disturbances. Multiple quantitative trait loci associated with hemodynamic and metabolic parameters have been mapped in the SHR. Recently, it has become possible to identify some of the specific quantitative trait gene (QTG) variants that underlie quantitative trait loci linked to complex cardiovascular and metabolic traits in SHR related strains. Recombinant inbred strains derived from SHR and Brown Norway progenitors, together with SHR congenic and transgenic strains, have proven useful for establishing the identity of several QTGs in SHR models. It is anticipated that the combined use of linkage analyses and gene expression profiles, ... Urinary calcium and magnesium excretion relates to increase in blood pressure during pregnancy Conclusions  If an increase in blood pressure during the later part of pregnancy a risk indicator for preeclampsia, the results suggest that an excessive secretion of calcium leading to a functional deficit might be a risk indicator for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Intervention experiments are required to assess this hypothesis. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Materno-fetal MedicineDOI 10.1007/s00404-010-1371-yAuthors Thorkild F. Nielsen, Hjorring Central Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hjorring DenmarkRagnar Rylander, BioFact Environmental Health Research Center Bjorkasv 21 44391 Lerum Sweden Journal Archives of Gynecology and ObstetricsOnline ISSN 1432-0711Print ISSN 0932-0067 (Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics) Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News) Treatment of Heart Failure With Normal Ejection Fraction: An Inconvenient Truth! Despite use of similar drugs, outcomes of recent heart failure (HF) trials were frequently neutral in heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (HFNEF) and positive in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF). The neutral outcomes of HFNEF trials were often attributed to deficient HFNEF patient recruitment with inclusion of many HFREF or noncardiac patients. Patient recruitment criteria of 21 HFNEF trials were therefore reviewed in reference to diagnostic guidelines for HFNEF. In the 4 published sets of guidelines, a definite diagnosis of HFNEF required the simultaneous and obligatory presence of signs and/or symptoms of HF and evidence of normal systolic left ventricular (LV) function and of diastolic LV dysfunction. In 3 of 4 sets of guidel... Alcohol risks Regularly drinking over recommended limits can put you at risk of high blood pressure (Source: BHF National News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Central Blood Pressure A Superior Determinant Of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy AtCor Medical (ASX: ACG), the developer and marketer of the SphygmoCor® system, which measures central blood pressure and arterial stiffness noninvasively, announced the publication of a new NIH-funded study, published in the Journal of Hypertension, found that central (aortic) blood pressure, measured noninvasively with AtCor's SphygmoCor system, is a more important indicator of the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than is brachial blood pressure. LVH relates to muscle thickening in the heart's pumping chamber... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) Central Blood Pressure A Superior Determinant Of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy AtCor Medical (ASX: ACG), the developer and marketer of the SphygmoCor® system, which measures central blood pressure and arterial stiffness noninvasively, announced the publication of a new NIH-funded study, published in the Journal of Hypertension, found that central (aortic) blood pressure, measured noninvasively with AtCor's SphygmoCor system, is a more important indic... (Source: Hypertension News From Medical News Today) Blood Pressure-Lowering Diet Appears More Effective When Combined With Other Interventions Combining an anti-hypertension diet with exercise and weight loss counseling may result in increased reduction in high blood pressure along with other benefits. James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., and colleagues studied 144 overweight or obese patients with high blood pressure. For four months, 46 were assigned to follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet; 49 followed the diet and added supervised exercise and cognitive-behavioral weight loss therapy; and 49 ate their usual diet... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) Blood Pressure-Lowering Diet Appears More Effective When Combined With Other Interventions Combining an anti-hypertension diet with exercise and weight loss counseling may result in increased reduction in high blood pressure along with other benefits. James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., and colleagues studied 144 overweight or obese patients with high blood pressure... (Source: Hypertension News From Medical News Today) A Kampo Medicine, Boi-ogi-to, Inhibits Obesity in Ovariectomized Rats In women facing menopause, end of menstrual activity is accompanied by lower levels of estrogen and gradual weight gain. Postmenopausal weight gain sounds an alarm for women's health and may lead to hyperlipidemia, a lipid increase and glucose intolerance. These phenomena are connected to lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, making it essential to prevent weight gain in women. A Kampo medicine, Boi-ogi-to, is traditionally used to treat obese conditions, but the mechanism has not yet been investigated. In this experiment, we tested the antiobesity properties of Boi-ogi-to in ovariectomized rats by measuring changes of serum cytokine levels and adipocytokines in fat cells. After treatment with this extract for 6...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Familial Hyperaldosteronism I?III Horm Metab ResDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1246187AbstractPrimary aldosteronism is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension. Three variants of familial hyperaldosteronism are known today. Early onset hypertension and severe target organ damage are hallmarks of the heritable forms. The underlying gene defect has already been identified in familial hyperaldosteronism type I. In type II and III research is ongoing. A highly variable phenotype often precludes the discovery of the familial appearance of these syndromes. Taking a sound family history is extremely important to discover the Mendelian pattern of inheritance. The identification of affected families is highly rewarding because all variants can potentially be cured or at least specifically treated. Testing the relatives of an index pa... Prophylactic open abdomen in patients with postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension Postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a frequent occurrence in critically ill patients operated on for severe abdominal trauma, secondary peritonitis or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. IAH may progress to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) with new onset organ dysfunction. Early recognition of IAH and interventions that prevent the development of ACS may preserve vital organ functions and increase the probability of survival. The best method to prevent postoperative ACS is to leave the abdomen open during the operation. Decision to leave the abdomen open is usually based on surgeon's judgment without intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements during the operation. Because a significant morbidity and mortality is associated also with the open abdomen, the measurement of... Enhanced survival of vascular smooth muscle cells accounts for heightened elastin deposition in arteries of neonatal spontaneously hypertensive rats Abnormal stiffening and narrowing of arteries are characteristic features of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In this strain, we have previously demonstrated an increased elastin content and abnormal organization of lamellae in conduit and resistance arteries from neonatal rats that preceded the impending inward remodelling, increased vascular stiffness and development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the mechanism responsible for such excessive and aberrant elastin deposition in SHR vessels during perinatal development. We compared elastin, collagen and fibronectin production (inmunocytochemistry and quantitative assay of metabolically labelled insoluble elastin), DNA content as well as cell proliferation (proliferative cellular nuclear antigen, bromodeoxyuridine... The 'neuroadrenergic hypothesis' in hypertension: current evidence Data collected in experimental animals and in humans support the hypothesis that sympathetic neural mechanisms are involved in the development and progression of hypertension. Direct approaches to assess human adrenergic cardiovascular drive have shown that sympathetic activation occurs in hypertensive patients, the magnitude of which is proportional to the degree of elevation of the blood pressure. Evidence has also been obtained that sympathetic activation participates in the development of hypertension-related target organ damage, such as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial remodelling and hypertrophy. Despite the large amount of information collected on the main features of the hypertension-related neurogenic abnormality, the causes of the ... Evidence of specific inflammatory condition in nucleus tractus solitarii of spontaneously hypertensive rats Since the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is a pivotal region for regulating the set-point of arterial pressure, we proposed a role for it in the development of neurogenic hypertension. Recent studies have suggested that proinflammatory molecules, such as junctional adhesion molecule 1 (JAM-1) are highly expressed in the NTS of an animal model of human essential hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), compared with normotensive rats (Wistar[ndash]Kyoto, WKY). Moreover, we have also shown endogenous leukocyte accumulation inside capillaries within the NTS of SHR but not WKY rats. Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that gene expression of cytokines/chemokines is altered in the NTS of SHR. We have screened for abnormally expressed inflammatory mediators in the NTS of SHR ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Transforming growth factor [beta]1 mediates apoptotic activity of angiotensin II type I receptor blocker on prostate epithelium in vitro The significant association of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension indicates a common pathophysiological factor for both diseases. Hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported in BPH. Angiotensin II type I (AT1) receptor is the principal mediator of the RAS, and the antagonist, AT1 receptor blocker (ARB), can induce apoptosis in prostate epithelium cells and increase transforming growth factor [beta]1 (TGF-[beta]1) expression. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of AT1 receptor in prostate epithelium cells and the role of TGF-[beta]1.Human prostate epithelium cell lines were treated with different concentrations of ARB (losartan) (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 µM) for 24-72 hr. Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell proliferation a... Clinical Profile and Management of Patients With Hypertension and Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease According to BMI. In conclusion, in patients with hypertension and chronic ischemic heart disease, as BMI increases, the clinical profile worsens as well as risk factors control rates. PMID: 20134413 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obesity) New concepts regarding cerebral vasospasm: glial-centric mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: The implication for clinical management is discussed supposing glial cell dysfunction is an underlying mechanism responsible for the vascular spasm. PMID: 20131107 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia) Associations Between Collagen Synthesis and Degradation and Aortic Function in Arterial Hypertension. ConclusionsAlterations in collagen turnover that favor collagen type I synthesis; as well as proMMP-1 expression are related to increased aortic stiffness in treated hypertensive individuals without left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.2. PMID: 20134406 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension) Effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) and Its Isolated Ginsenosides and Polysaccharides on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Individuals. ConclusionAlthough preliminary, this study is the first to demonstrate that KRG may improve arterial stiffness as measured by AI. In addition, it appears that ginsenosides may be the principal pharmacologically active component of the root, rather than the polysaccharide fraction. This study supports the results seen with KRG in the preclinical studies and warrants further investigation on acute and long-term endothelial parameters.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.5. PMID: 20134405 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Differences in Emotion Processing in Patients With Essential and Secondary Hypertension. ConclusionsThese results are consistent with a contribution of an emotional or psychosomatic component in EH and may have practical implications for the nonpharmacological management of hypertension. They also demonstrate the utility of complementary measures of emotion processing in medically ill patients.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.9. PMID: 20134404 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension) Lack of a Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Oral Treprostinil and Bosentan in Healthy Adult Volunteers. In conclusion, because the GMR and 90% CI are within the equivalence interval of 0.8 to 1.25, co-administration of oral treprostinil and bosentan did not result in a pharmacokinetic interaction for either agent. PMID: 20133511 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology) Dopamine-mediated inhibition of renal Na-K-ATPase in HK-2 cells is reduced by ouabain. Authors: Zhang YR, Yuan ZY SUMMARY 1. Abnormal renal sodium handling is considered as a major contributing factor in hypertension associated with chronic ouabain treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in abnormal renal sodium handling have not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated whether chronic ouabain treatment perturbs dopamine D(1) receptor function. 2. The expression and phosphorylation levels of the D(1) receptor in cells of the human proximal tubule cell line (HK-2) were determined using western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The activity of the renal sodium-potassium pump (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) was measured by using a colorimetric assay, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was determined by perfo... Hyperlipidemia and Reduced White Matter Hyperintensity Volume in Patients With Ischemic Stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Results from 2 independent cohorts demonstrate that AIS patients with a history of hyperlipidemia have less severe WMH at the time of stroke. These data support the hypothesis that hyperlipidemia may play a relatively protective role in cerebral small-vessel disease. PMID: 20133919 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Stroke) Positive impact of exenatide on BP, weight ?warrants further study? The diabetes drug exenatide is associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure (BP) and body weight, a randomized clinical trial has found. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Doctors, patients can differ on treatment ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Diabetes patients and doctors can differ over whether pain and depression or hypertension should be a top priority, U.S. researchers said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com) Can yoga and meditation prevent high blood pressure? Researchers at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre want to study if yoga, combined with meditation, can help lower blood pressure and prevent the onset of hypertension. (Source: CTV Health) Primary Medication Non-Adherence: Analysis of 195,930 Electronic Prescriptions CONCLUSIONS  Many e-prescriptions were not filled. Previous studies of medication non-adherence failed to capture these prescriptions. Efforts to increase primary adherence could dramatically improve the effectiveness of medication therapy. Interventions that target specific medication classes may be most effective. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11606-010-1253-9Authors Michael A. Fischer, Brigham and Women?s Hospital Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics 1620 Tremont Street, Suite 3030 Boston MA 02120 USAMargaret R. Stedman, Brigham and Women?s Hospital Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics 1620 Tremont Street, Suite 3030 Boston MA 02120 USAJoyce Lii, Brigham and Women?s Hospital Division of Ph... Enzymatic disease of the podocyte Abstract  Proteinuria is an early sign of kidney disease and has gained increasing attention over the past decade because of its close association with cardio-vascular and renal morbidity and mortality. Podocytes have emerged as the cell type that is critical in maintaining proper functioning of the kidney filter. A few genes have been identified that explain genetic glomerular failure and recent insights shed light on the pathogenesis of acquired proteinuric diseases. This review highlights the unique role of the cysteine protease cathepsin L as a regulatory rather than a digestive protease and its action on podocyte structure and function. We provide arguments why many glomerular diseases can be regarded as podocyte enzymatic disorders. Content Type Journal ArticleCateg... Short-term variability of systemic blood pressure and submacular choroidal blood flow in eyes of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma Conclusions  POAG patients without local therapy demonstrate an increased short-term BP and CBF variability. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory GlaucomaDOI 10.1007/s00417-009-1277-1Authors Asan Kochkorov, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandKonstantin Gugleta, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandRobert Katamay, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandJosef Flammer, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandSelim Orgul, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland Journal Graefe's Archive for Clinical and ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> A phase II study of bevacizumab plus erlotinib for gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer Conclusions  The combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib is safe but relatively ineffective in patients with gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer. Future studies should focus on refining subsets of patients in this challenging population likely to benefit from treatment beyond first-line. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00280-010-1257-5Authors Andrew H. Ko, University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 1600 Divisadero Street, 4th Floor Box 1705 San Francisco CA 94115 USAAlan P. Venook, University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 1600 Divisadero Street, 4th Floor Box 1705 San Francisco CA 94115 USAEmily K. Bergsland, University of C... Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension in ARDS: a new pleasant effect? Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialDOI 10.1007/s00134-010-1771-2Authors Lluis Blanch, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Critical Care Center, Hospital de Sabadell, Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí, CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Sabadell SpainGuillermo M. Albaiceta, Universidad de Oviedo Departamento de Biología Funcional, Area de Fisiología, Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias Oviedo Spain Journal Intensive Care MedicineOnline ISSN 1432-1238Print ISSN 0342-4642 (Source: Intensive Care Medicine) Sildenafil attenuates pulmonary arterial pressure but does not improve oxygenation during ARDS Conclusion  Although sildenafil reduced pulmonary arterial pressures during ARDS, the increased shunt fraction and decreased arterial oxygenation render it unsuitable for the treatment of patients with ARDS. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory OriginalDOI 10.1007/s00134-010-1754-3Authors Alexander D. Cornet, VU University Medical Center Department of Intensive Care De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV Amsterdam The NetherlandsJorrit J. Hofstra, Academic Medical Center Department of Intensive Care Medicine Amsterdam The NetherlandsEleonora L. Swart, VU University Medical Center Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy Amsterdam The NetherlandsArmand R. J. Girbes, VU University Medical Center Department of Intensive Care De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV Amsterdam The NetherlandsNi... Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News) Primary Concerns of MDs, Diabetics Not Always the Same (CME/CE) Diabetic patients aren't as concerned about their hypertension as their physicians are, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Nephrology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Play Yourself Healthy A just published research experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just 3 months of soccer practise twice a week causes a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and percentage of body fat, and is more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise... (Source: Men's health News From Medical News Today) Play Yourself Healthy A just published research experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just 3 months of soccer practise twice a week causes a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and percentage of body fat, and is more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise. Other parallel experiments on both women and men further demonstrates that a regular game of soccer affects numerous cardiovascular risk factors such as maximal oxygen uptake, heart function, elasticity of the vascular system, blood pressure, cholesterol and fat mass far more than e.g... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) Management of Acute Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Acute esophageal variceal hemorrhage (AEVH) is a severe complication of portal hypertension. Its management has rapidly evolved in recent years. Traditional methods included vasoconstrictor and balloon tamponade. Vasoconstrictors were shown to contro ...more (Source: The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences) Diabetes Patients Rank Health Concerns Differently Than Their Doctors, U-M Survey Shows About one-third of doctors and their patients with diabetes do not see eye to eye on the most important health conditions to manage, according to a survey by the University of Michigan Medical School. While both groups frequently ranked diabetes and hypertension among their top concerns, 38 percent of doctors were more likely to rank hypertension as the most important, while only 18 percent of diabetics said it was the most important. Patients were also more likely to prioritize symptoms such as pain and depression... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) Genetic variants in the ADD1 and GNB3 genes and blood pressure response to potassium supplementation This study was designed to examine the association between 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adducin 1 alpha (ADD1) and guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein) beta polypeptide 3 (GNB3) genes and systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to potassium-supplementation. We conducted a 7-day high-sodium intervention (307.8 mmol sodium/day) followed by a 7-day high-sodium with potassium-supplementation (60 mmol potassium/day) among 1906 Han Chinese participants from rural north China. BP measurements were obtained at the end of each intervention period using a random-zero sphygmomanometer. We identified significant associations between ADD1 variant rs17833172 and SBP, DBP, and MAP responses to potassium-supplementation (all P ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for hypertension in Shanghai communities: Results from the Shanghai Hypertension Detail Management Program Abstract  A community-based multi-center randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of blood pressure control for hypertension patients in communities in urban Shanghai by integrated intervention. At present, patients (n = 1395) from four communities have completed follow-up for one year, including the intervention group (n = 921) and usual care group (n = 474). The intervention programs included disease management by a care manager. Blood pressure of each patient was measured regularly. Compared with the control group, the net change of mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ? 6.75 (95% CI: ? 7.79 to ? 5.71, P < 0.001) mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was ? 4.29 (95% CI: ? 5.08 to ? 3.49, P < 0.001) mmHg, and mean pulse ... Comparison of Statistical Approaches to Evaluate Factors Associated With Metabolic Syndrome J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). In statistical analyses, metabolic syndrome as a dependent variable is often utilized in a binary form (presence/absence) where the logistic regression model is used to estimate the odds ratio as the measure of association between health-related factors and metabolic syndrome. Since metabolic syndrome is a common outcome the interpretation of odds ratio as an approximation to prevalence or risk ratio is questionable as it may overestimate its intended target. In addition, dichotomizing a variable that could potentially be treated as discrete may lead to reduced statistical power. In this paper, the authors treat metabolic syndrome as a discrete outcome by defining it as the count of syndrome components. The goal of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of a... Comorbidities associated with psoriasis: An experience from the Middle East Recent studies suggest that psoriasis patients have higher rates of comorbidities. We sought to determine the prevalence of comorbidities and co-medications in our psoriasis patients. We conducted case-control study in 1835 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and age- and gender-matched cohort without psoriasis. Patients were examined for clinical characteristics of psoriasis, PASI scores, and data of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, comorbidities, and co-medications were analysed for both patients and controls. We identified 1661 (92.8%) patients with mild to moderate psoriasis (PASI < 10) and 129 patient's (7.03%) with severe psoriasis (PASI > 10). Patients with psoriasis were more likely to be current smokers (51.34% vs 32.51% controls). Respective prevalence rates of risk ... Better than expected survival after primary intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with untreated hypertension despite high admission blood pressures Background: Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but little is known of the effect of preceding hypertension on outcome. Because high mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) at admission is an independent predictor of early death in patients with ICH, we explored its role on survival and poor outcome separately in normotensive subjects and subjects with treated and untreated hypertension.Methods: We assessed clinical data and the 3-month outcome of patients with spontaneous ICH (n = 453) admitted to the stroke unit of Oulu University Hospital between 1993 and 2004. Standard medical treatment was used to lower MABP from levels >127 mmHg to (Source: European Journal of Neurology) Pediatric orthotopic living-donor liver transplantation cures pulmonary hypertension caused by Abernethy malformation type Ib Hori T, Yonekawa Y, Okamoto S, Ogawa K, Ogura Y, Oike F, Takada Y, Egawa H, Nguyen JH, Uemoto S. Pediatric orthotopic living-donor liver transplantation cures pulmonary hypertension caused by Abernethy malformation type Ib.Pediatr Transplantation 2010. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: A 3.3-yr-old boy was diagnosed with PH caused by a PSS of Abernethy malformation type Ib. After control of PH, he underwent OLDLT at 4.9 yr. His PV flowed directly into the confluence of the CCLMHV and the IVC. To shorten the anhepatic phase, hepatic arterial flow was partially maintained. Removal of the native liver began simultaneously with the graft harvest. The proximal PV was cut at the optimal point for reconstruction. The distal PV was cut at the concrescence of the PV and the CCLMHV. After IVC-...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Dr. Elijah Saunders Is Named Outstanding UMB Faculty/Staff Member at the 2010 Diversity Recognition Awards ?A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood,? this year?s University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Black History Month Event commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, was held February 3, 2010 in the MSTF auditorium. At the ceremony, Diversity Recognition Awards were presented for Outstanding UMB Faculty/Staff and Outstanding Student/Student Group. This year?s faculty winner was Elijah Saunders, MD, FACC, FACP, FAHA, professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Saunders was the first black resident in internal medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, from which he graduated in 1960. He was also the first black cardiologist in Maryland and was integral in abolishing segregated hospital wards at what was then University Hospital (now the Univers... A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Fingolimod in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis In this 24-month, randomized trial involving patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, oral fingolimod reduced the rates of relapse and disability progression, as compared with placebo. Adverse events reported in patients treated with fingolimod included bradycardia, atrioventricular conduction block, macular edema, elevations in liver-enzyme levels, and mild hypertension. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine) Cough in Pediatric Patients Receiving Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Therapy or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Therapy in Randomized Controlled Trials. Authors: Baker-Smith CM, Benjamin DK, Califf RM, Murphy MD, Li JS, Smith PB The incidence of cough in children receiving antihypertension therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is unknown. We analyzed patient-level data from eight randomized trials for the treatment of pediatric hypertension, six of them involving ACEis and two involving ARBs. The incidence of cough in children receiving ACEis (reported cough, 3.2%) was similar to that in children receiving ARBs (reported cough, 1.8%) (P = 0.34). Reports of cough were lower in children than in adults. PMID: 20130570 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics) Acute effect of nitroglycerin on cyclosporine-induced hypertension after cardiac transplantation. CONCLUSION: After application of nitroglycerin, sBP is reduced immediately in HTX with uncontrolled cyclosporine-induced hypertension. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effect of nitrates in these patients. PMID: 20131116 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Swiss Medical Weekly) Children of diabetic mothers have increased cardiometabolic risk factors Children of diabetic mothers have significantly increased levels of cardiometabolic risk factors by the age of 9.5 years, say researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Antihypertensive persistence, compliance factors identified Persistence and compliance with antihypertensive therapy have improved since the late 1990s among elderly patients residing in Ontario, Canada, show results of a study that also found the rates of each were highest when patients were initiated on an ACE inhibitor. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension) Reducing Dietary Sodium: The Case for Caution [Commentary] (Source: JAMA) Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in children: experience in a developing country Conclusion  In a developing country, CCSK is rare and clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from Wilms tumour. Associated hypertension is common. Pretreatment diagnosis is difficult and sampling errors using needle biopsies may be unavoidable. Treatment results are poor and, given the propensity for late recurrence in CCSK, may not be sustained. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00383-010-2554-0Authors G. P. Hadley, University of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Paediatric Surgery, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine Congella South AfricaM. H. Sheik-Gafoor, University of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Paediatric Surgery, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine Congella South Africa Journal Pediatric Surgery InternationalOnline ISSN ... Haiti: New life amid destruction After the earthquake, eighteen-year old Djenny was one of the first women to deliver in Isaie Jeanty hospital in the Chancerelle area of Port-Au-Prince. Assisted by the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team, Djenny gave birth to a healthy little boy that she named Mike. Many others have since joined them in the now bustling maternity ward. Before the earthquake, Isaie Jeanty hospital specialized in obstetric and maternity care. However, in order to meet the enormous surgical needs, MSF, working together with staff from the Ministry of Health, began to offer a wider range of services, including orthopedic surgery, post-operative care, physiotherapy and mental health support.  Yet, Isaie Jeanty continued to remain a referral centre for maternal care, with MSF helping to deliver an aver... Herbal medicines affect heart drugs Conclusion This review has looked at a serious topic using acceptable methods. There are several difficulties due to the fact they found little good quality research on the topic: Most of the research into the harms from these drugs is from single case reports or case series. This is regarded as low-level evidence, because without a control group it is not possible to say for certain what caused the events and what the background rates of these incidents (such as bleeding) are in the general population. There is no detail on how the researchers selected the articles or how many they found in their search. A fully systematic review would describe the number of studies identified by the search and the detailed methods of each study. As this report has not done this, the reader is una...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Membrane-associated Hsp72 from tumor-derived exosomes mediates STAT3-dependent immunosuppressive function of mouse and human myeloid-derived suppressor cells Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been identified in humans and mice as a population of immature myeloid cells with the ability to suppress T cell activation. They accumulate in tumor-bearing mice and humans and have been shown to contribute to cancer development. Here, we have isolated tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) from mouse cell lines and shown that an interaction between TDE-associated Hsp72 and MDSCs determines the suppressive activity of the MDSCs via activation of Stat3. In addition, tumor-derived soluble factors triggered MDSC expansion via activation of Erk. TDE-associated Hsp72 triggered Stat3 activation in MDSCs in a TLR2/MyD88-dependent manner through autocrine production of IL-6. Importantly, decreasing exosome production using dimethyl amiloride enhanced the in vi... Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News) After beating cancer, Villanova runner Koons wins courageous athlete award Blessed is a word with which Koons has more than a passing acquaintance. Diagnosed during the summer of 2007 with clear-cell renal carcinoma - a form of kidney cancer typically found in people over 40 who are heavy smokers, obese or have high blood pressure - Koons had successful surgery to remove the tumor and has since resumed her training regimen with the hope of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.02/02/2010 (Source: Kidney Cancer Association) Cost Effectiveness of Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Monotherapy in Patients with Hypertension in the Netherlands: A Comparative Analysis Using Clinical Trial and Drug Utilization Data (Source: American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs) Diabetes Patients, Docs Don't See Eye To Eye Doctors want people with diabetes to worry about long-term issues such as high blood pressure, but patients are often more worried about immediate problems. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated With HIV Drug The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on January 29 that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000. Videx/Videx EC is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection in children and adults... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated With HIV Drug The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on January 29 that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000... (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today) Patient-Provider Concordance in the Prioritization of Health Conditions Among Hypertensive Diabetes Patients CONCLUSIONS  Patients and their primary care providers often agreed on the most important health conditions affecting patients with multimorbidity, but this concordance was lower for patients with poor health status or non-health competing demands. Interventions that increase provider awareness about symptomatic concerns and competing demands may improve chronic disease management in these vulnerable patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11606-009-1232-1Authors Donna M. Zulman, Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor MI USAEve A. Kerr, Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor MI USATimothy P. Hofer, Health S... Heal yourself in 15 days by transforming your blood (part four) This article continues part four of the 15-part article series called Heal Yourself in 15 Days. In part three, we explored how you are what you absorb, not merely what you eat (http://www.naturalnews.com/028067_self_healing_digestion.html). Today, in part four, we take a closer look at how to transform your health by changing your blood.Your blood is a useful focal point for exploring your health. Whatever health outcome you are experiencing today, it is largely a result of what's in your blood.Think about it: Your blood bathes your cells in nutrients 24 hours a day. Blood not only brings vital nutrients to your cells; it also carries away metabolic waste products. It is the superhighway of nutrition and detoxification that reaches into (virtually) every organ and cell in your entire body.... Metformin May Help Obese Teens Lose Weight Title: Metformin May Help Obese Teens Lose WeightCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/2/2010 10:22:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/2/2010 10:22:04 AM (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Poor Mental Functioning May Predict Stroke Title: Poor Mental Functioning May Predict StrokeCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/1/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/2/2010 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General) Play yourself healthy (University of Copenhagen) A just published research experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just three months of soccer practice twice a week causes a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate and percentage of body fat, and is more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health) FDA Issues Liver Risk Warning For HIV Drug Federal health officials said Monday that patients taking a Bristol-Myers Squibb drug for HIV are at risk of a rare, but potentially fatal, liver disorder. The Food and Drug Administration said it has received 42 reports of the disorder since Videx was approved in 1991. Four patients died from bleeding or liver failure after developing the problem, known as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. (Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire) Atrial Electroanatomical Remodeling as a Determinant of Different Outcomes Between Two Current Ablation Strategies: Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation Vs Pulmonary Vein Isolation The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the efficacy of the 2 different ablation techniques of atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) size.A total of 81 patients with paroxysmal AF (n = 58) or persistent AF (n = 23) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI; n = 45) or PVI (n = 36) without respect to echocardiographic results for LA volume index (LAVI). Of the 81 patients, 41 had less dilated LA (group 1; LAVI < 27 cc/m2) and 40 had dilated LA (group 2; LAVI [ge] 27 cc/m2). During the 9-month follow-up, 33 patients (73.3%) after circumferential PVI and 18 (50%) after PVI (P = .031) were free of arrhythmia. The risk of recurrence was associated with persistent AF, hypertension, LAVI > 27 ml/m2, PVI, early ... Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors Among a Sample of Overweight and Obese Mexican Children The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlations of components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) pediatric definition in a cross-sectional study of 215 overweight/obese Mexican children aged 6 to 12. There are no previous studies of this kind in Mexican children. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements were performed. The prevalence of MetS using the pediatric IDF criteria was 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 4.0[ndash]11.1). A higher proportion of children in the younger age group had waist circumference above the cutoff, while a higher proportion in the older age group had hyperglycemia. Children with MetS had higher percentages of body fat, body mass index, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprot...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Cochrane review: Roselle for hypertension in adults Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine Background Hypertension is considered a serious health problem worldwide. Controlling and lowering blood pressure have a significant benefit to the hypertensive patients because hypertension is a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and cardiovascular disease. A tropical plant called Roselle, or Red Sorrel in English-speaking countries, has been used both as a thirst-quenching drink and for medical purposes.   Objectives To explore the effect of Roselle on blood pressure in hypertensive adult patients.   Search strategy The following databases were searched (Date of most recent search was September 2009): - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2nd Quarter 2009) - DARE (2nd Quarter 2009) - Ovid MEDLIN... Effect of cyclosporine on blood pressure Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Medication Safety Abstract   Background Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent used for different autoimmune diseases. The official Canadian indications for cyclosporine are solid organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and nephritic syndrome (e-CPS 2008). The expanding range of indications for cyclosporine therapy will lead to more patients receiving chronic therapy with possible side effects, hypertension being one of the most common. Therefore it is essential to know the magnitude of increase of blood pressure (BP) associated with cyclosporine in order to appropriately manage patients receiving the drug.   Objectives The primary objective of this systematic review is to evaluate ... More elderly people should be included in drug trials: EU report Source: BBC Health News Area: News An EU funded project called PREDICT has examined the extent to which elderly people are excluded from clinical trials of drugs. From a review of published trials, they found evidence of exclusion: for example, mean age of participants in trials of antihypertensive drugs was 63, although 44% of people with hypertension are over 70 when first diagnosed.   The project researchers note that elderly people may respond differently to drugs, and they may also have multiple conditions and be taking other medication. They note that such factors make carrying out trials in the elderly more difficult, but not including them makes results unrepresentative of clinical practice. It is thus more difficult for doctors to practice evidence-based medicine. &nbs... Effects of a 12-week intervention period with football and running for habitually active men with mild hypertension The present study examined the effect of football (F, n=15) training on the health profile of habitually active 25[ndash]45-year-old men with mild hypertension and compared it with running (R, n=15) training and no additional activity (controls, C, n=17). The participants in F and R completed a 1-h training session 2.4 times/week for 12 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in all groups but the decrease in diastolic blood pressure in F ([minus]9 ± 5 (± SD) mmHg) was higher than that in C ([minus]4 ± 6 mmHg). F was as effective as R in decreasing body mass ([minus]1.6 ± 1.8 vs[minus]1.5 ± 2.1 kg) and total fat mass ([minus]2.0 ± 1.5 vs [minus]1.6 ± 1.5 kg) and in increasing supine heart rate variability, whereas no changes were detected for C. Maximal stroke volume ... Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, or Broken-Heart Syndrome (March). CONCLUSIONS: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy causes a reversible left ventricle dysfunction which occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women with or without cardiovascular disease. Recognition is detected with coronary angiography. It is thought to primarily be due to an abnormally high sympathetic stimulation after emotional or psychological stress. Treatment consists of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and/or beta blocker if needed for left ventricular dysfunction and possibly an anxiolytic agent. PMID: 20124462 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Endothelial dysfunction: a strategic target in the treatment of hypertension? Authors: Tang EH, Vanhoutte PM Endothelial dysfunction is a common feature of hypertension, and it results from the imbalanced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs; in particular, nitric oxide) and endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs; angiotensin II, endothelins, uridine adenosine tetraphosphate, and cyclooxygenase-derived EDCFs). Thus, drugs that increase EDRFs (using direct nitric oxide releasing compounds, tetrahydrobiopterin, or L: -arginine supplementation) or decrease EDCF release or actions (using cyclooxygenase inhibitor or thromboxane A2/prostanoid receptor antagonists) would prevent the dysfunction. Many conventional antihypertensive drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and third-generation beta-bloc... A New Warning for Users of Videx and Videx EC (didanosine) The Food and Drug Administration is alerting HIV specialists and medical providers about a serious liver problem that could arise in those people taking Videx or Videx EC. Also known as didanosine, the drug is now being linked to a rare disorder of the liver called non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is caused by the slowing of blood through the liver's venous system. As the blood slows, back pressure can occur throughout the venus system, causing enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus called varices. Varices are dangerous because if they rupture, a person can have massive amounts of bleeding that could cause death if not stopped immediately. Most often portal hypertension is caused by liver cirrhosis, a hardening of the liver that slows blood flow. Experts are now repo... A genetic variant in the gene encoding fibrinogen beta chain predicted development of hypertension in Chinese men. Authors: Ong KL, Tso AW, Cherny SS, Sham PC, Lam KS, Jiang CQ, Thomas GN, Lam TH, Cheung BM Fibrinogen, a major determinant of blood viscosity, is an acute phase protein associated with cardiovascular disease. We studied the association of hypertension with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the fibrinogen beta chain (FGB). Three tagging SNPs (rs1025154, rs4220 and rs1044291) were selected from the HapMap database on Han Chinese. Genotypes were determined in 1,294 unrelated subjects from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study cohort. There were 199 hypertensive subjects at baseline. Among 1,095 subjects normotensive at baseline, 178 developed hypertension during a median follow-up period of 6.4 years. Among the three tagging SNPs, rs4220 show... Low-carb diet better for weight loss and BP reduction than orlistat Study results show that consuming a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet allows overweight individuals to lose a similar amount of weight and to reduce their blood pressure to a greater degree than those taking orlistat and consuming a low-fat diet. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension) The Miracle of Vitamin D: Sound Science, or Hype? Imagine a treatment that could build bones, strengthen the immune system and lower the risks of illnesses like diabetes, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. (Source: NYT > Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Roles of Gastrointestinal and Adipose Tissue Peptides in Childhood Obesity and Changes After Weight Loss Due to Lifestyle Intervention [Review Article] Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease, in addition to psychological disorders. Interventions such as bariatric surgery are highly invasive and lifestyle modifications are often unsuccessful because of disturbed perceptions of satiety. New signaling peptides discovered in recent years that are produced in peripheral tissues such as the gut, adipose tissue, and pancreas communicate with brain centers of energy homeostasis, such as the hypothalamus and hindbrain. This review discusses the major known gut- and adipose tissue–derived hormones involved in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis and their serum levels in childhood obesity before and after weight loss as well as... FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated with HIV Drug Rare, but serious, liver disorder reported in some patients SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder,... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News) FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated with HIV Drug The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000. Videx/Videx EC is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection in children and adults. (Source: Food and Drug Administration) FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated with HIV Drug The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000. Videx/Videx EC is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection in children and adults. (Source: Food and Drug Administration) Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010 PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Visual Diagnosis: Persistent Hypoxemia and Pulmonary Hypertension in a 3-day-old Infant (Click here) (Source: NeoReviews recent issues) AmlodipineAtorvastatin: A Review of its Use in the Treatment of Hypertension and Dyslipidaemia and the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (Source: Drugs) Didanosine Associated with Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue) Newborn infants of smokers show circulatory dysfunction Newborn infants of women who currently smoke display impaired blood pressure control mechanisms from birth up to the age of 1 year, when compared with infants of non-smokers, study results demonstrate. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension) Calcium-dependent cleavage of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger by m-calpain in isolated endoplasmic reticulum We have recently demonstrated the localization of associated m-calpain and calpastatin in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle. Herein, we sought to determine the role of m-calpain on calcium-dependent proteolytic cleavage of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in the ER. Treatment of the ER with Ca2+ (5 mM) dissociates m-calpain–calpastatin association leading to the activation of m-calpain, which subsequently cleaves the ER integral transmembrane protein NCX1 (116 kDa) to an 82 kDa fragment. Pre-treatment of the ER with calpain inhibitors, calpeptin (10 µM) or MDL28170 (10 µM), or Ca2+ chelator, EGTA (10 mM) does not cleave NCX1. In vitro cleavage of the ER purified NCX1 by the ER purified m-calpain also supports our finding. Cleavage of NCX1 by ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Presentation: Fructose drives hyperuricemia and uric acid then causes hypertension The following presentation is by the nephrologist Joel Topf who writes the blog PBFluids.com. The subject is how fructose drives hyperuricemia and how uric acid then causes hypertension. He used the slidecast feature on slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/faqs/slidecast), so the slides have a full audio track. Uric Acid, Fructose and Hypertension View more presentations from Joel Topf. Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated and subscribe, or follow me on Twitter. (Source: Clinical Cases and Images) Multifactorial Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes Abstract  Type 2 diabetes is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Although several clinical trials have evaluated the effects of interventions to reduce CVD risk in people with diabetes, such studies are primarily conducted to target individual risk factors such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia rather than using a multifactorial interventional approach. Existing clinical trial data suggest that intensive multifactorial interventions that target several important risk factors simultaneously result in a significantly greater risk reduction in CVD risk compared with single risk factor interventions. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy and effectiveness of such interventions on CVD h... Patient recall of receiving lifestyle advice for overweight and hypertension from their General Practitioner Conclusions: Less than 1/3 of overweight/obese patients reported that they had received lifestyle advice that could assist with weight loss from their GP. About a third of respondents with hypertension reported that they received advice to reduce salt intake. There are potentially missed opportunities in which GPs could provide re-enforcement of benefits of lifestyle changes with respect to weight and blood pressure control. (Source: BMC Family Practice) Spontaneous Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery We describe a case of spontaneous dissection and thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery in a 54-year-old man who presented with new onset of hypertension and epigastric pain. Initial unsuccessful treatment with catheter-directed thrombolysis was followed by surgical intervention. In cases in which an extensive intimectomy is performed, early institution of antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation may be necessary to preserve vessel patency due to the presence of a prothrombotic surface and compromised outflow. (Source: Annals of Vascular Surgery) Functional status as a prognostic factor for primary revascularization for critical limb ischemia Conclusion: Nonambulatory patients suffer from extensive comorbid conditions. They are accompanied with an increased occurrence of AEs, unplanned reinterventions, and poor long-term survival rates. Successful LEAR did not improve their functional status after 6 years. This emphasizes that attempts for limb salvage must be carefully considered in these patients. (Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Prediction of Hypertension Improvement After Stenting of Renal Artery Stenosis: Comparative Accuracy of Translesional Pressure Gradients, Intravascular Ultrasound, and Angiography Conclusion: A hyperemic systolic pressure gradient ?21 mm Hg predicts improvement in hypertension after stenting of renal artery stenosis. Summary: Correlation is poor between the percentage of renal artery stenosis measured by renal angiography and translesional pressure gradients across the renal artery stenosis. It is postulated therefore that the discordance between procedural and clinical success in the treatment of renal artery stenosis may, at least in part, stem from the limitations of angiography and the assessment of the significance of renal artery stenosis. The authors therefore sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of renal artery translesional pressure gradients, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, and angiographic parameters in predicting hypertension improvement... Revascularization vs Medical Therapy for Renal-Artery Stenosis Conclusion: There is no significant clinical benefit from renal artery revascularization in patients with renal artery atherosclerotic disease. Summary: Renal artery stenosis is associated with chronic kidney disease and hypertension. It is, however, not clear that these associations are causal. In fact, three small randomized control trials have showed no benefit of renal artery angioplasty compared with medical therapy (Hypertension 1998;31:823-9; J Hum Hypertens 1998;12:329-35; N Engl J Med 2000;342:1007-14). These studies were small and underpowered to detect potentially clinically worthwhile improvements in renal function, blood pressure, or mortality rates. The current Angioplasty and Stent for Renal Artery Lesions (ASTRAL) trial is a randomized unblinded trial in which 806 with ath... Strokes After Cardiac Surgery and Relationship to Carotid Stenosis Conclusion: There is no causal relationship between significant carotid stenosis and stroke after cardiac surgery. Summary: There are potentially multiple mechanisms for stoke after a cardiac surgical procedure, including carotid artery stenosis, cardiac arrhythmia, aortic atherosclerosis, transient hypercoagulable states, and hypertension. These multiple and often coexisting causes make studying the mechanism of stroke after cardiac surgery difficult. Estimates are that in 2001, >5000 combined cardiac and carotid operations were performed in the United States (Neurology 2007;63:195-97). Recent analyses suggest increased stroke and death after combined procedures (Neurology 2007;68:195-7; Neurology 2005;64:1435-7). In this study of 4335 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting ... Efficacy, safety and tolerability of bosentan in Chinese patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension Conclusions: Bosentan improved exercise capacity, functional class, and cardiopulmonary hemodynamics in this patient cohort and was well tolerated. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation) The globalization of clinical trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension See companion articles on pages 137 and 150 (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Variable prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with advanced interstitial pneumonia Conclusions: African American patients and patients with connective tissue disease-interstitial pneumonia had a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension. Non-African American patients with advanced idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) had a low prevalence of pulmonary hypertension. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation) Pulsatile left ventricular assist device support as a bridge to decision in patients with end-stage heart failure complicated by pulmonary hypertension Conclusion: Pulmonary hemodynamics and post-HTx survival were similar after pulsatile LVAD support in patients with and without pre-implant PH. LVAD support may be a useful strategy to reverse PH in carefully selected patients, thus improving candidacy for HTx. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation) Exercise-uncovered pulmonary arterial hypertension and pharmacologic therapy: Clinical benefits Exercise-uncovered pulmonary arterial hypertension (ePAH) refers to a clinical situation characterized by normal resting hemodynamics, but with pathologic elevations during exercise (defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] >30 mm Hg with exercise). Controversy abounds, and this definition was recently removed by consensus at the 4th World Symposium at Dana Point due to lack of studies supporting this entity. Despite contention, clinicians encounter this entity of ePAH frequently and some investigators have reported that, in patients with scleroderma, screening with exercise Doppler echocardiography may result in earlier diagnosis of PAH. Others have suggested ePAH is an early and clinically relevant phase of the PAH spectrum, demonstrable by temporally progressive hemodynamics p... Pulmonary hypertension associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is increasingly recognized as a complication of chronic left heart disease; however, the literature concerns almost entirely patients with systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Yet, 50% of heart failure patients have a preserved ejection fraction and thus left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Despite an increasing number of patients with PH due to LVDD (PH-LVDD), there has been very little study of this clinical syndrome: two previous reports described just 3 patients, 16 years ago. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation) Effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on hypertension management: a cross-sectional study among 28 physician practices in the United States ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factor clusters (CMRFCs) and their effect on BP control among hypertensive patients from 28 US physician practices. Methods: Each participating practice identified a random sample of 150-300 adults (>=18 years old) diagnosed with hypertension. The primary outcome variable was BP control (BP (Source: Cardiovascular Diabetology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> The selective β1-adrenoceptor antagonist nebivolol is a potential oestrogen receptor agonist with neuroprotective abilities Conclusions and implications: We showed that nebivolol acts as ER agonist in neuronal cell lines, and suggest oestrogen-like neuroprotective effects mediated by nebivolol. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology) FDA warns of risk of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension with didanosine Source: FDA Area: News The FDA has notified healthcare professionals and patients in the US of revision of the 'Warning and Precautions' section of the US didanosine (Videx® or Videx EC®) drug label, following post-marketing reports of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in association with its use.   The FDA is aware of 42 post-marketing cases of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in patients using didanosine submitted to the Adverse Event Reporting System; the duration of use ranged from months to years and the patient ages ranged from 10 to 66 years.  Medical interventions described in the reported cases included banding/ligation of oesophageal varices, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) procedure, and liver transplantation.  There were four deaths ... Case report: Acute pancreatitis associated with lisinopril and olanzapine Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Area: News This case report discusses a 69-year old woman who suffered from acute pancreatitis as a result of the combination of lisinopril and olanzapine.   She had started lisinopril for hypertension three months prior to her emergency admission, and had been taking olanzapine regularly for bipolar disorder.  As other common causes were ruled out, it was concluded that the recent combination of lisinopril and olanzapine was the likely cause of the pancreatitis. Food and liquids were withheld, and all oral medicines were stopped at hospital admission. Her pain resolved completely after two days, and all of her medicines except lisinopril and olanzapine were restarted at discharge.    Olanzapine was temporarily... Optical-Flow-Based B-Mode Elastography: Application in the Hypertensive Rat Carotid Background—Ultrasound elastography is now used worldwide in tissue characterization. The primary premises of elastography are that speckle kinematics reproduces underlying tissue kinematics and that tissue motion can be inferred from speckle tracking. This implicitly assumes that speckle pattern is a material property that can be tracked with respect to time and space. It is then convenient to express the motion of such a material property in terms of total derivative, also known as optical flow (OF) equations. Aims—The present paper introduces a new iterative OF-based elastography (OFBE) method devoted to B-mode data. The first OFBE iteration computes axial and lateral displacement fields. Such displacement fields are used for data rigid registration, prior to the second OFB...

hypertension and high blood pressure guide

Understanding Hypertension And High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is most commonly referred to as having "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. High blood pressure is considered to be present when a person's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that affects many people in this country. However, many of these people are not even aware of their condition, since high blood pressure often has few if any symptoms. Undiagnosed hypertension can elevate the risk of many other health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. The good news is that high blood pressure is fairly easy to diagnose when it is tested for regularly, and there are many options in treating this condition that include lifestyle changes and medication.

Hypertension Risk Factors

Over the early years of life and into middle age, men tend to be more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure. In the later years, after menopause, the statistics for women and menopause tend to go up as well. Race is another risk factor in hypertension, with African Americans much more likely to be diagnosed with this condition than whites, and usually at an earlier age.

Other types of risk

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Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Global Anti-hypertensive Drugs Market to Exceed $66.2 Billion by 2015, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Anti-hypertensive Drugs markets. The world market for anti-hypertensive drugs is projected to exceed $66.2 billion by the year 2015. This is primarily driven by a rapid rise in the number of patients suffering from high blood pressure, an aging population, and growing diagnosis and treatment rates. Angiotensin II blockers represent the largest class of drug in terms of revenue generation among the five major classes of drugs used for the treatment of hypertension. (PRWeb Feb 8, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/anti_hypertensive_drugs/blood_pressure_medicines/prweb3453394.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)
Diuretic plus CCB linked to higher MI risk than other combinations
A case?control study in low-risk patients with hypertension suggests that treatment with a combination of diuretics and calcium channel blockers may be associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction compared with other commonly used antihypertensive combination regimens including diuretics. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)
Blood pressure: What you can do for yourself
There are two kinds of people in the United States -- ones who have high blood pressure now and ones who have a very good chance of getting it someday. That's bad news, because high blood pressure, technically known as hypertension, raises the risk for stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease and eye damage, including blindness. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)
Blood pressure: exercise
Dozens of studies have reported a link between exercise and lowered blood pressure: Some have found reductions of up to 10 mm Hg (systolic) and 6 to 10 mm Hg (diastolic) blood pressure units in people who already have hypertension. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)
Blood pressure: the DASH diet
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, an eight-week clinical trial , reported in 1997, that tested the effects of three diets on 459 adults. Among the group, 133 had high blood pressure for which they were not being treated with a drug. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Blood pressure: weight loss
As people gain weight, their blood pressure tends to go up. Fortunately, as they lose weight, their blood pressure tends to go down -- but only so far, says Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of preventive cardiology and director of the hypertension clinic at UCLA. "If your body weight is normal, getting below doesn't help," she says. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)
Risk of sudden cardiac death or near death with venlafaxine compared with other antidepressants
Source: BMJ Area: News According to the results of this nested case control study published early online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the use of venlafaxine was not associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death or near death than fluoxetine, dosulepin, or citalopram, in patients with depression or anxiety.   The authors of the study note the cardiac cautions/contra-indications with venlafaxine, and advice issued by the MHRA in 2006 (revision of previous advice) that patients at very high risk of ventricular arrhythmia or with uncontrolled hypertension should not use venlafaxine.  They note that that there has to their knowledge been no systematic study evaluating the risk of haemodynamically significant (malignant) arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death associa...
First DNA link to human ageing found
Discovery of gene sequence could aid drug design for age-related illnessesScientists have isolated a gene sequence that appears to determine how fast our bodies age, the first time a link between DNA and human lifespan has been found.The discovery could have a profound impact on public health and raises the best hope yet for drugs that prevent the biological wear and tear behind common age-related conditions such as heart disease and certain cancers.The work is expected to pave the way for screening programmes to spot people who are likely to age fast and be more susceptible to heart problems and other conditions early in life. People who test positive for the gene variant in their 20s could be put on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and encouraged to exercise, eat healthily and avoid smo...
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)
A case of fatal caffeine poisoning. - Rudolph T, Knudsen K.
Caffeine is a natural alkaloid methylxanthine that is found in various plants such as coffee or tea. Symptoms of a severe overdose may present with hypokalemia, hyponatremia, ventricular arrhythmias, hypertension followed by hypotension, respiratory fai... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Experience of a single center with congenital hepatic fibrosis: A review of the literature.
Authors: Shorbagi A, Bayraktar Y Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive inherited malformation defined pathologically by a variable degree of periportal fibrosis and irregularly shaped proliferating bile ducts. It is one of the fibropolycystic diseases, which also include Caroli disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Clinically it is characterized by hepatic fibrosis, portal hypertension, and renal cystic disease. CHF is known to occur in association with a range of both inherited and non-inherited disorders, with multiorgan involvement, as a result of ductal plate malformation. Because of the similarities in the clinical picture, it is necessary to differentiate CHF from idiopathic portal hypertens...
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)
Resting heart rate and blood pressure, independent of each other, proportionally raise the risk for type-2 diabetes mellitus
Conclusions Resting heart rate and BP proportionally raise the risk for DM in middle-aged healthy men and women. Moreover, the adverse effects of fast heart rate and high BP are independent of each other as well as of the influences of conventional confounders. (Source: International Journal of Epidemiology)
How willing are the public to pay for anti-hypertensive drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a survey in a Chinese city
Conclusion The public in China are significantly misinformed and considerably over estimate the risk of hypertension and the benefit of treatment. The public's willingness to pay for anti-hypertensive drugs is much lower than the current guidelines implicitly assume. The willingness to pay should be considered, along with other factors, when prescribing anti-hypertensive drugs to an individual patient or making hypertension guidelines for a population. (Source: International Journal of Epidemiology)
Blood pressure: weight loss
As people gain weight, their blood pressure tends to go up. Fortunately, as they lose weight, their blood pressure tends to go down -- but only so far, says Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of preventive cardiology and director of the hypertension clinic at UCLA. "If your body weight is normal, getting below doesn't help," she says. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
High incidence of severe cyclosporine neurotoxicity in children affected by haemoglobinopaties undergoing myeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: early diagnosis and prompt intervention ameliorates neurological outcome
Conclusions: Our experience suggests that paediatric patients with haemoglobinopaties have a high incidence of CSA related neurological events with no correlation between serum CSA levels and neurotoxicity. Prognosis is good following CSA removal. Specific prodromes such as arterial hypertension, headache or visual disturbances occurring in the early post-transplant period should be carefully evaluated with electrophysiological and MRI-based imaging in order to intervene promptly and avoid irreversible sequels. (Source: BioMed Central)
New Theory Shakes Accepted Ideas of Salt Balance and Hypertension
In this video blog, Dr. Jeff Berns discusses articles that challenge the widely held explanation for electrolyte homeostasis and suggest a possible new approach to blood pressure control. Medscape Nephrology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Interventions to achieve long-term weight loss in obese older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Conclusions: although modest weight reductions were observed, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the efficacy of weight loss programmes in older people. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Diagnosis and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis
Abstract  Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) can develop pulmonary hypertension (PH; mean pulmonary artery pressure ? 25 mm Hg) caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), left ventricular disease, or pulmonary fibrosis. PAH is a pulmonary vascular disease, the diagnosis of which requires pulmonary capillary wedge pressure less than 15 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance greater than 3 Wood Units, and exclusion of thromboembolism and parenchymal lung disease. Molecular mechanisms underlying PAH-SSc include activation of inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways in the vasculature and right ventricle. Circulating autoantibodies trigger endothelial damage and fibroblast activation. PAH most commonly occurs as a late complication in patients with limi...
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Renal Sympathetic Denervation and Systemic Hypertension
In conclusion, this review outlines the pathophysiologic background of RSD, describes the past and the present of this interventional approach, and considers several future potential applications. (Source: The American Journal of Cardiology)
Meta-analysis of individual participant data: rationale, conduct, and reporting
(Source: BMJ Online First)
Venlafaxine and cardiovascular toxicity
(Source: BMJ Online First)
Football for fighting fat
Conclusion This was a very small study that showed that both football and running improved fitness over a 12-week period, by reducing body fat and improving lung function. However, while The Daily Telegraph suggested that the footballers saw their blood pressure fall by an average of twice as much as the runners, this is misleading. The researchers did not find a statistically significant difference in the blood pressure reduction seen between the groups. Other points to note: Although it was possible to compare the before and after effects for each type of exercise, and some of the differences found were statistically significant, the numbers in the study were too small to compare which type of exercise is better for you. The cholesterol levels in the three study groups varied prior ...
Test Developed At Yale Can Help Predict And Diagnose Preeclampsia
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a simple urine test to rapidly predict and diagnose preeclampsia, a common, but serious hypertensive complication of pregnancy. Dubbed the "Congo Red Dot Test" by the research team, the test accurately predicted preeclampsia in a study of 347 pregnant women, allowing health care providers to offer better preventive care to pregnant women... (Source: Hypertension News From Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Clinical and endoscopic analysis of gastric Dieulafoy's lesion.
CONCLUSION: DL is uncommon but life-threatening in China. Hemoclip proved to be safe and effective in controlling bleeding from DL. PMID: 20128034 [PubMed - in process] (Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG)
Lack of Effect of Moderate Hypothermia on Brain Tissue Oxygenation after Acute Intracranial Hypertension in Pigs
Journal of Neurotrauma , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Journal of Neurotrauma)
Coronary Heart Disease From a Life-Course Approach: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study, 1998-2004
Discussion: Policies and programs aimed at improving the conditions of poor children and their families may effectively reduce the prevalence of CHD in later life. (Source: Journal of Aging and Health)
Administration of a low dose of sildenafil for one week decreases intrahepatic resistance in rats with biliary cirrhosis: The role of NO bioavailability
Conclusions: Sildenafil treatment improves endothelial dysfunction by augmenting NO bioavailability in hepatic microcirculation. (Source: Clinical Science)
Diuretic plus CCB linked to higher MI risk than other combinations
A case?control study in low-risk patients with hypertension suggests that treatment with a combination of diuretics and calcium channel blockers may be associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction compared with other commonly used antihypertensive combination regimens including diuretics. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Rare, But Serious Liver Complication Seen in People Taking Didanosine
?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting healthcare professionals and patients about a rare, but serious, complication in the liver known as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in patients using Videx or Videx EC (didanosine). Didanosine is a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Videx was the first approved didanosine medication. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx. ?Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (portal hypertension that is not caused by cirrhosis of the liver) is rare in the United States. It occurs when blood flow in the major vein in the liver (the portal vein) slows down. This slowed blood flow can lead to the development of severely enlarged esophageal veins (varices) in the gastrointestinal system. Because esophage...
Kaletra (Lopinavir/Ritonavir) Product Label Updated to Revise Drug-Drug Interactions
?On January 29, 2009, FDA approved revisions to the Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) package insert to include drug-drug interaction information for concurrent Kaletra administration with inhaled medicines such as salmeterol or salmeterol in combination with fluticasone propionate (Serevent, Advair) and sildenafil (Revatio). ?Specifically, sildenafil (Revatio) when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is listed under Contraindications ? because a safe and effective dose has not been established when used with Kaletra. There is an increased potential for sildenafil-associated adverse events, including visual abnormalities, hypotension, prolonged erections and syncope. ? ?Concurrent administration of salmeterol and Kaletra is not recommended. The combination may...
Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based intervention for improving patient adherence to antihypertensives: a randomized controlled trial
This study aims to test a specific intervention package that could be integrated into the community pharmacy workflow to enable pharmacists to improve patient adherence and/or persistence with antihypertensive medications - Hypertension Adherence Program in Pharmacy (HAPPY). Methods: The HAPPY trial is a multi-centre prospective randomised controlled trial. Fifty-six pharmacies have been recruited from three Australian states. To identify potential patients, a software application (MedeMine CVD) extracted data from a community pharmacy dispensing software system (FRED Dispense(R)). The pharmacies have been randomised to either 'Pharmacist Care Group' (PCG) or 'Usual Care Group' (UCG). To check for 'Hawthorne effect' in the UCG, a third group of patients 'Hidden Control Group' (HCG) will be...
Surveillance of certain health behaviors and conditions among States and selected local areas --- behavioral risk factor surveillance system, United States, 2007.
This report presents results for 2007 for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, 184 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), and 298 counties. Results: In 2007, prevalence estimates of risk behaviors, chronic conditions, and the use of preventive services varied substantially by state and territory, MMSA, and county. The following is a summary of results listed by BRFSS question topic. Each set of proportions refers to the range of estimated prevalence for the disease, condition, or behavior, as reported by the survey subject. Adults who reported fair or poor health: 11% to 32% for states and territories and 6% to 31% for MMSAs and counties. Adults with health-care coverage: 71% to 94% for states and territories ...
Incidence of Appropriate Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks and Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure Treated With Combined Cardiac Resynchronization Plus Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy Versus Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy
In conclusion, statins reduced and smoking and digoxin increased appropriate ICD shocks. Use of CRT, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers reduced mortality and hypertension, diabetes, and older age increased mortality. (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Kidney Flow and Function in Hypertension: Protective Effects of Pycnogenol in Hypertensive Participants--A Controlled Study
This study evaluated the effects of Pycnogenol as an adjunct to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor ramipril treatment of hypertensive patients presenting with early signs of renal function problems. One group of 26 patients was medicated with 10 mg ramipril per day only; a second group of 29 patients took Pycnogenol in addition to the ACE inhibitor over a period of 6 months. At trial end, a lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found in both groups, with a significant further reduction of diastolic pressure in the group given Pycnogenol in addition to ramipril. The major aim of this study was the investigation of kidney-protective effects of Pycnogenol. Urinary albumin decreased from 87 ± 23 to 64 ± 16 mg/d with ramipril only. Additional Pycnogenol lowe...
Comparison of Puerariae Radix and Its Hydrolysate on Stimulation of Hyaluronic Acid Production in NHEK Cells.
In conclusion, PR preparations would stimulate HA production in NHEK cells which might be used as a new cosmetic ingredient in moisturizers and an anti-aging agent. PMID: 20128051 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Chinese Medicine)
Global metabolic consequences of the chromogranin A-null model of hypertension: transcriptomic detection, pathway identification, and experimental verification
Chromogranin A (CHGA) has a crucial role in formation of regulated secretory granules in neuroendocrine tissues and is also a prohormone that is proteolytically processed into peptides with diverse and complex actions. CHGA and several of its peptide products, including catestatin and pancreastatin, are implicated in pathogenesis of essential hypertension, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome. The Chga knockout mouse (Chga KO) displays severe hypertension coupled with reduction in size, number, and density of regulated secretory granules. We performed genome-wide transcriptome profiling in Chga KO adrenal gland and liver for insight into biochemical and physiological systems altered in this monogenic mouse model of hypertension. Adrenal gene expression pathway prediction of enhan...
Transcriptional and physiological responses to chronic ACTH treatment by the mouse kidney
We investigated the effects on urinary steroid and electrolyte excretion and renal gene expression of chronic infusions of ACTH in the mouse. ACTH caused a sustained increase in corticosteroid excretion; aldosterone excretion was only transiently elevated. There was an increase in the excretion of deoxycorticosterone, a weak mineralocorticoid, to levels of physiological significance. Nevertheless, we observed neither antinatriuresis nor kaliuresis in ACTH-treated mice, and plasma renin activity was not suppressed. We identified no changes in expression of mineralocorticoid target genes. Water turnover was increased in chronic ACTH-treated mice, as were hematocrit and hypertonicity: volume contraction is consistent with high levels of glucocorticoid. ACTH-treated mice exhibited other signs ...
Darusentan in Resistant Hypertension: Lost in Translation
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical Trial ReportDOI 10.1007/s11906-009-0081-yAuthors Frank Enseleit, University Hospital Zurich Cardiovascular Center Cardiology Rämistrasse 100 8091 Zürich SwitzerlandFrank Ruschitzka, University Hospital Zurich Cardiovascular Center Cardiology Rämistrasse 100 8091 Zürich Switzerland Journal Current Hypertension ReportsOnline ISSN 1534-3111Print ISSN 1522-6417 (Source: Current Hypertension Reports)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Recent Advances in Genetics of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Abstract  The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most widely used animal model of essential hypertension and associated metabolic disturbances. Multiple quantitative trait loci associated with hemodynamic and metabolic parameters have been mapped in the SHR. Recently, it has become possible to identify some of the specific quantitative trait gene (QTG) variants that underlie quantitative trait loci linked to complex cardiovascular and metabolic traits in SHR related strains. Recombinant inbred strains derived from SHR and Brown Norway progenitors, together with SHR congenic and transgenic strains, have proven useful for establishing the identity of several QTGs in SHR models. It is anticipated that the combined use of linkage analyses and gene expression profiles, ...
Urinary calcium and magnesium excretion relates to increase in blood pressure during pregnancy
Conclusions  If an increase in blood pressure during the later part of pregnancy a risk indicator for preeclampsia, the results suggest that an excessive secretion of calcium leading to a functional deficit might be a risk indicator for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Intervention experiments are required to assess this hypothesis. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Materno-fetal MedicineDOI 10.1007/s00404-010-1371-yAuthors Thorkild F. Nielsen, Hjorring Central Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hjorring DenmarkRagnar Rylander, BioFact Environmental Health Research Center Bjorkasv 21 44391 Lerum Sweden Journal Archives of Gynecology and ObstetricsOnline ISSN 1432-0711Print ISSN 0932-0067 (Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics)
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)
Treatment of Heart Failure With Normal Ejection Fraction: An Inconvenient Truth!
Despite use of similar drugs, outcomes of recent heart failure (HF) trials were frequently neutral in heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (HFNEF) and positive in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF). The neutral outcomes of HFNEF trials were often attributed to deficient HFNEF patient recruitment with inclusion of many HFREF or noncardiac patients. Patient recruitment criteria of 21 HFNEF trials were therefore reviewed in reference to diagnostic guidelines for HFNEF. In the 4 published sets of guidelines, a definite diagnosis of HFNEF required the simultaneous and obligatory presence of signs and/or symptoms of HF and evidence of normal systolic left ventricular (LV) function and of diastolic LV dysfunction. In 3 of 4 sets of guidel...
Alcohol risks
Regularly drinking over recommended limits can put you at risk of high blood pressure (Source: BHF National News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Central Blood Pressure A Superior Determinant Of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
AtCor Medical (ASX: ACG), the developer and marketer of the SphygmoCor® system, which measures central blood pressure and arterial stiffness noninvasively, announced the publication of a new NIH-funded study*, published in the Journal of Hypertension, found that central (aortic) blood pressure, measured noninvasively with AtCor's SphygmoCor system, is a more important indicator of the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than is brachial blood pressure. LVH relates to muscle thickening in the heart's pumping chamber... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Central Blood Pressure A Superior Determinant Of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
AtCor Medical (ASX: ACG), the developer and marketer of the SphygmoCor® system, which measures central blood pressure and arterial stiffness noninvasively, announced the publication of a new NIH-funded study*, published in the Journal of Hypertension, found that central (aortic) blood pressure, measured noninvasively with AtCor's SphygmoCor system, is a more important indic... (Source: Hypertension News From Medical News Today)
Blood Pressure-Lowering Diet Appears More Effective When Combined With Other Interventions
Combining an anti-hypertension diet with exercise and weight loss counseling may result in increased reduction in high blood pressure along with other benefits. James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., and colleagues studied 144 overweight or obese patients with high blood pressure. For four months, 46 were assigned to follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet; 49 followed the diet and added supervised exercise and cognitive-behavioral weight loss therapy; and 49 ate their usual diet... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Blood Pressure-Lowering Diet Appears More Effective When Combined With Other Interventions
Combining an anti-hypertension diet with exercise and weight loss counseling may result in increased reduction in high blood pressure along with other benefits. James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., and colleagues studied 144 overweight or obese patients with high blood pressure... (Source: Hypertension News From Medical News Today)
A Kampo Medicine, Boi-ogi-to, Inhibits Obesity in Ovariectomized Rats
In women facing menopause, end of menstrual activity is accompanied by lower levels of estrogen and gradual weight gain. Postmenopausal weight gain sounds an alarm for women's health and may lead to hyperlipidemia, a lipid increase and glucose intolerance. These phenomena are connected to lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, making it essential to prevent weight gain in women. A Kampo medicine, Boi-ogi-to, is traditionally used to treat obese conditions, but the mechanism has not yet been investigated. In this experiment, we tested the antiobesity properties of Boi-ogi-to in ovariectomized rats by measuring changes of serum cytokine levels and adipocytokines in fat cells. After treatment with this extract for 6...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Familial Hyperaldosteronism I?III
Horm Metab ResDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1246187AbstractPrimary aldosteronism is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension. Three variants of familial hyperaldosteronism are known today. Early onset hypertension and severe target organ damage are hallmarks of the heritable forms. The underlying gene defect has already been identified in familial hyperaldosteronism type I. In type II and III research is ongoing. A highly variable phenotype often precludes the discovery of the familial appearance of these syndromes. Taking a sound family history is extremely important to discover the Mendelian pattern of inheritance. The identification of affected families is highly rewarding because all variants can potentially be cured or at least specifically treated. Testing the relatives of an index pa...
Prophylactic open abdomen in patients with postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension
Postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a frequent occurrence in critically ill patients operated on for severe abdominal trauma, secondary peritonitis or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. IAH may progress to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) with new onset organ dysfunction. Early recognition of IAH and interventions that prevent the development of ACS may preserve vital organ functions and increase the probability of survival. The best method to prevent postoperative ACS is to leave the abdomen open during the operation. Decision to leave the abdomen open is usually based on surgeon's judgment without intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements during the operation. Because a significant morbidity and mortality is associated also with the open abdomen, the measurement of...
Enhanced survival of vascular smooth muscle cells accounts for heightened elastin deposition in arteries of neonatal spontaneously hypertensive rats
Abnormal stiffening and narrowing of arteries are characteristic features of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In this strain, we have previously demonstrated an increased elastin content and abnormal organization of lamellae in conduit and resistance arteries from neonatal rats that preceded the impending inward remodelling, increased vascular stiffness and development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the mechanism responsible for such excessive and aberrant elastin deposition in SHR vessels during perinatal development. We compared elastin, collagen and fibronectin production (inmunocytochemistry and quantitative assay of metabolically labelled insoluble elastin), DNA content as well as cell proliferation (proliferative cellular nuclear antigen, bromodeoxyuridine...
The 'neuroadrenergic hypothesis' in hypertension: current evidence
Data collected in experimental animals and in humans support the hypothesis that sympathetic neural mechanisms are involved in the development and progression of hypertension. Direct approaches to assess human adrenergic cardiovascular drive have shown that sympathetic activation occurs in hypertensive patients, the magnitude of which is proportional to the degree of elevation of the blood pressure. Evidence has also been obtained that sympathetic activation participates in the development of hypertension-related target organ damage, such as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial remodelling and hypertrophy. Despite the large amount of information collected on the main features of the hypertension-related neurogenic abnormality, the causes of the ...
Evidence of specific inflammatory condition in nucleus tractus solitarii of spontaneously hypertensive rats
Since the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is a pivotal region for regulating the set-point of arterial pressure, we proposed a role for it in the development of neurogenic hypertension. Recent studies have suggested that proinflammatory molecules, such as junctional adhesion molecule 1 (JAM-1) are highly expressed in the NTS of an animal model of human essential hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), compared with normotensive rats (Wistar[ndash]Kyoto, WKY). Moreover, we have also shown endogenous leukocyte accumulation inside capillaries within the NTS of SHR but not WKY rats. Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that gene expression of cytokines/chemokines is altered in the NTS of SHR. We have screened for abnormally expressed inflammatory mediators in the NTS of SHR ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Transforming growth factor [beta]1 mediates apoptotic activity of angiotensin II type I receptor blocker on prostate epithelium in vitro
The significant association of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension indicates a common pathophysiological factor for both diseases. Hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported in BPH. Angiotensin II type I (AT1) receptor is the principal mediator of the RAS, and the antagonist, AT1 receptor blocker (ARB), can induce apoptosis in prostate epithelium cells and increase transforming growth factor [beta]1 (TGF-[beta]1) expression. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of AT1 receptor in prostate epithelium cells and the role of TGF-[beta]1.Human prostate epithelium cell lines were treated with different concentrations of ARB (losartan) (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 µM) for 24-72 hr. Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell proliferation a...
Clinical Profile and Management of Patients With Hypertension and Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease According to BMI.
In conclusion, in patients with hypertension and chronic ischemic heart disease, as BMI increases, the clinical profile worsens as well as risk factors control rates. PMID: 20134413 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obesity)
New concepts regarding cerebral vasospasm: glial-centric mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS: The implication for clinical management is discussed supposing glial cell dysfunction is an underlying mechanism responsible for the vascular spasm. PMID: 20131107 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia)
Associations Between Collagen Synthesis and Degradation and Aortic Function in Arterial Hypertension.
ConclusionsAlterations in collagen turnover that favor collagen type I synthesis; as well as proMMP-1 expression are related to increased aortic stiffness in treated hypertensive individuals without left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.2. PMID: 20134406 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension)
Effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) and Its Isolated Ginsenosides and Polysaccharides on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Individuals.
ConclusionAlthough preliminary, this study is the first to demonstrate that KRG may improve arterial stiffness as measured by AI. In addition, it appears that ginsenosides may be the principal pharmacologically active component of the root, rather than the polysaccharide fraction. This study supports the results seen with KRG in the preclinical studies and warrants further investigation on acute and long-term endothelial parameters.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.5. PMID: 20134405 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Differences in Emotion Processing in Patients With Essential and Secondary Hypertension.
ConclusionsThese results are consistent with a contribution of an emotional or psychosomatic component in EH and may have practical implications for the nonpharmacological management of hypertension. They also demonstrate the utility of complementary measures of emotion processing in medically ill patients.American Journal of Hypertension 2010; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.9. PMID: 20134404 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension)
Lack of a Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Oral Treprostinil and Bosentan in Healthy Adult Volunteers.
In conclusion, because the GMR and 90% CI are within the equivalence interval of 0.8 to 1.25, co-administration of oral treprostinil and bosentan did not result in a pharmacokinetic interaction for either agent. PMID: 20133511 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology)
Dopamine-mediated inhibition of renal Na-K-ATPase in HK-2 cells is reduced by ouabain.
Authors: Zhang YR, Yuan ZY SUMMARY 1. Abnormal renal sodium handling is considered as a major contributing factor in hypertension associated with chronic ouabain treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in abnormal renal sodium handling have not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated whether chronic ouabain treatment perturbs dopamine D(1) receptor function. 2. The expression and phosphorylation levels of the D(1) receptor in cells of the human proximal tubule cell line (HK-2) were determined using western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The activity of the renal sodium-potassium pump (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) was measured by using a colorimetric assay, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was determined by perfo...
Hyperlipidemia and Reduced White Matter Hyperintensity Volume in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.
CONCLUSIONS: Results from 2 independent cohorts demonstrate that AIS patients with a history of hyperlipidemia have less severe WMH at the time of stroke. These data support the hypothesis that hyperlipidemia may play a relatively protective role in cerebral small-vessel disease. PMID: 20133919 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Stroke)
Positive impact of exenatide on BP, weight ?warrants further study?
The diabetes drug exenatide is associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure (BP) and body weight, a randomized clinical trial has found. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Doctors, patients can differ on treatment
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Diabetes patients and doctors can differ over whether pain and depression or hypertension should be a top priority, U.S. researchers said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)
Can yoga and meditation prevent high blood pressure?
Researchers at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre want to study if yoga, combined with meditation, can help lower blood pressure and prevent the onset of hypertension. (Source: CTV Health)
Primary Medication Non-Adherence: Analysis of 195,930 Electronic Prescriptions
CONCLUSIONS  Many e-prescriptions were not filled. Previous studies of medication non-adherence failed to capture these prescriptions. Efforts to increase primary adherence could dramatically improve the effectiveness of medication therapy. Interventions that target specific medication classes may be most effective. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11606-010-1253-9Authors Michael A. Fischer, Brigham and Women?s Hospital Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics 1620 Tremont Street, Suite 3030 Boston MA 02120 USAMargaret R. Stedman, Brigham and Women?s Hospital Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics 1620 Tremont Street, Suite 3030 Boston MA 02120 USAJoyce Lii, Brigham and Women?s Hospital Division of Ph...
Enzymatic disease of the podocyte
Abstract  Proteinuria is an early sign of kidney disease and has gained increasing attention over the past decade because of its close association with cardio-vascular and renal morbidity and mortality. Podocytes have emerged as the cell type that is critical in maintaining proper functioning of the kidney filter. A few genes have been identified that explain genetic glomerular failure and recent insights shed light on the pathogenesis of acquired proteinuric diseases. This review highlights the unique role of the cysteine protease cathepsin L as a regulatory rather than a digestive protease and its action on podocyte structure and function. We provide arguments why many glomerular diseases can be regarded as podocyte enzymatic disorders. Content Type Journal ArticleCateg...
Short-term variability of systemic blood pressure and submacular choroidal blood flow in eyes of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma
Conclusions  POAG patients without local therapy demonstrate an increased short-term BP and CBF variability. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory GlaucomaDOI 10.1007/s00417-009-1277-1Authors Asan Kochkorov, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandKonstantin Gugleta, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandRobert Katamay, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandJosef Flammer, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel SwitzerlandSelim Orgul, University Hospital Basel Ophthalmology Department Mittlerestr. 91 CH-4031 Basel Switzerland Journal Graefe's Archive for Clinical and ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
A phase II study of bevacizumab plus erlotinib for gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer
Conclusions  The combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib is safe but relatively ineffective in patients with gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer. Future studies should focus on refining subsets of patients in this challenging population likely to benefit from treatment beyond first-line. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00280-010-1257-5Authors Andrew H. Ko, University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 1600 Divisadero Street, 4th Floor Box 1705 San Francisco CA 94115 USAAlan P. Venook, University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 1600 Divisadero Street, 4th Floor Box 1705 San Francisco CA 94115 USAEmily K. Bergsland, University of C...
Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension in ARDS: a new pleasant effect?
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialDOI 10.1007/s00134-010-1771-2Authors Lluis Blanch, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Critical Care Center, Hospital de Sabadell, Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí, CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Sabadell SpainGuillermo M. Albaiceta, Universidad de Oviedo Departamento de Biología Funcional, Area de Fisiología, Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias Oviedo Spain Journal Intensive Care MedicineOnline ISSN 1432-1238Print ISSN 0342-4642 (Source: Intensive Care Medicine)
Sildenafil attenuates pulmonary arterial pressure but does not improve oxygenation during ARDS
Conclusion  Although sildenafil reduced pulmonary arterial pressures during ARDS, the increased shunt fraction and decreased arterial oxygenation render it unsuitable for the treatment of patients with ARDS. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory OriginalDOI 10.1007/s00134-010-1754-3Authors Alexander D. Cornet, VU University Medical Center Department of Intensive Care De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV Amsterdam The NetherlandsJorrit J. Hofstra, Academic Medical Center Department of Intensive Care Medicine Amsterdam The NetherlandsEleonora L. Swart, VU University Medical Center Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy Amsterdam The NetherlandsArmand R. J. Girbes, VU University Medical Center Department of Intensive Care De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV Amsterdam The NetherlandsNi...
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)
Primary Concerns of MDs, Diabetics Not Always the Same (CME/CE)
Diabetic patients aren't as concerned about their hypertension as their physicians are, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Nephrology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Play Yourself Healthy
A just published research experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just 3 months of soccer practise twice a week causes a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and percentage of body fat, and is more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise... (Source: Men's health News From Medical News Today)
Play Yourself Healthy
A just published research experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just 3 months of soccer practise twice a week causes a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and percentage of body fat, and is more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise. Other parallel experiments on both women and men further demonstrates that a regular game of soccer affects numerous cardiovascular risk factors such as maximal oxygen uptake, heart function, elasticity of the vascular system, blood pressure, cholesterol and fat mass far more than e.g... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Management of Acute Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage
Acute esophageal variceal hemorrhage (AEVH) is a severe complication of portal hypertension. Its management has rapidly evolved in recent years. Traditional methods included vasoconstrictor and balloon tamponade. Vasoconstrictors were shown to contro ...more (Source: The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences)
Diabetes Patients Rank Health Concerns Differently Than Their Doctors, U-M Survey Shows
About one-third of doctors and their patients with diabetes do not see eye to eye on the most important health conditions to manage, according to a survey by the University of Michigan Medical School. While both groups frequently ranked diabetes and hypertension among their top concerns, 38 percent of doctors were more likely to rank hypertension as the most important, while only 18 percent of diabetics said it was the most important. Patients were also more likely to prioritize symptoms such as pain and depression... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Genetic variants in the ADD1 and GNB3 genes and blood pressure response to potassium supplementation
This study was designed to examine the association between 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adducin 1 alpha (ADD1) and guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein) beta polypeptide 3 (GNB3) genes and systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to potassium-supplementation. We conducted a 7-day high-sodium intervention (307.8 mmol sodium/day) followed by a 7-day high-sodium with potassium-supplementation (60 mmol potassium/day) among 1906 Han Chinese participants from rural north China. BP measurements were obtained at the end of each intervention period using a random-zero sphygmomanometer. We identified significant associations between ADD1 variant rs17833172 and SBP, DBP, and MAP responses to potassium-supplementation (all P ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for hypertension in Shanghai communities: Results from the Shanghai Hypertension Detail Management Program
Abstract  A community-based multi-center randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of blood pressure control for hypertension patients in communities in urban Shanghai by integrated intervention. At present, patients (n = 1395) from four communities have completed follow-up for one year, including the intervention group (n = 921) and usual care group (n = 474). The intervention programs included disease management by a care manager. Blood pressure of each patient was measured regularly. Compared with the control group, the net change of mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ? 6.75 (95% CI: ? 7.79 to ? 5.71, P < 0.001) mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was ? 4.29 (95% CI: ? 5.08 to ? 3.49, P < 0.001) mmHg, and mean pulse ...
Comparison of Statistical Approaches to Evaluate Factors Associated With Metabolic Syndrome
J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). In statistical analyses, metabolic syndrome as a dependent variable is often utilized in a binary form (presence/absence) where the logistic regression model is used to estimate the odds ratio as the measure of association between health-related factors and metabolic syndrome. Since metabolic syndrome is a common outcome the interpretation of odds ratio as an approximation to prevalence or risk ratio is questionable as it may overestimate its intended target. In addition, dichotomizing a variable that could potentially be treated as discrete may lead to reduced statistical power. In this paper, the authors treat metabolic syndrome as a discrete outcome by defining it as the count of syndrome components. The goal of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of a...
Comorbidities associated with psoriasis: An experience from the Middle East
Recent studies suggest that psoriasis patients have higher rates of comorbidities. We sought to determine the prevalence of comorbidities and co-medications in our psoriasis patients. We conducted case-control study in 1835 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and age- and gender-matched cohort without psoriasis. Patients were examined for clinical characteristics of psoriasis, PASI scores, and data of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, comorbidities, and co-medications were analysed for both patients and controls. We identified 1661 (92.8%) patients with mild to moderate psoriasis (PASI < 10) and 129 patient's (7.03%) with severe psoriasis (PASI > 10). Patients with psoriasis were more likely to be current smokers (51.34% vs 32.51% controls). Respective prevalence rates of risk ...
Better than expected survival after primary intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with untreated hypertension despite high admission blood pressures
Background: Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but little is known of the effect of preceding hypertension on outcome. Because high mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) at admission is an independent predictor of early death in patients with ICH, we explored its role on survival and poor outcome separately in normotensive subjects and subjects with treated and untreated hypertension.Methods: We assessed clinical data and the 3-month outcome of patients with spontaneous ICH (n = 453) admitted to the stroke unit of Oulu University Hospital between 1993 and 2004. Standard medical treatment was used to lower MABP from levels >127 mmHg to (Source: European Journal of Neurology)
Pediatric orthotopic living-donor liver transplantation cures pulmonary hypertension caused by Abernethy malformation type Ib
Hori T, Yonekawa Y, Okamoto S, Ogawa K, Ogura Y, Oike F, Takada Y, Egawa H, Nguyen JH, Uemoto S. Pediatric orthotopic living-donor liver transplantation cures pulmonary hypertension caused by Abernethy malformation type Ib.Pediatr Transplantation 2010. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: A 3.3-yr-old boy was diagnosed with PH caused by a PSS of Abernethy malformation type Ib. After control of PH, he underwent OLDLT at 4.9 yr. His PV flowed directly into the confluence of the CCLMHV and the IVC. To shorten the anhepatic phase, hepatic arterial flow was partially maintained. Removal of the native liver began simultaneously with the graft harvest. The proximal PV was cut at the optimal point for reconstruction. The distal PV was cut at the concrescence of the PV and the CCLMHV. After IVC-...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Dr. Elijah Saunders Is Named Outstanding UMB Faculty/Staff Member at the 2010 Diversity Recognition Awards
?A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood,? this year?s University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Black History Month Event commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, was held February 3, 2010 in the MSTF auditorium. At the ceremony, Diversity Recognition Awards were presented for Outstanding UMB Faculty/Staff and Outstanding Student/Student Group. This year?s faculty winner was Elijah Saunders, MD, FACC, FACP, FAHA, professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Saunders was the first black resident in internal medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, from which he graduated in 1960. He was also the first black cardiologist in Maryland and was integral in abolishing segregated hospital wards at what was then University Hospital (now the Univers...
A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Fingolimod in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
In this 24-month, randomized trial involving patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, oral fingolimod reduced the rates of relapse and disability progression, as compared with placebo. Adverse events reported in patients treated with fingolimod included bradycardia, atrioventricular conduction block, macular edema, elevations in liver-enzyme levels, and mild hypertension. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)
Cough in Pediatric Patients Receiving Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Therapy or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Therapy in Randomized Controlled Trials.
Authors: Baker-Smith CM, Benjamin DK, Califf RM, Murphy MD, Li JS, Smith PB The incidence of cough in children receiving antihypertension therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is unknown. We analyzed patient-level data from eight randomized trials for the treatment of pediatric hypertension, six of them involving ACEis and two involving ARBs. The incidence of cough in children receiving ACEis (reported cough, 3.2%) was similar to that in children receiving ARBs (reported cough, 1.8%) (P = 0.34). Reports of cough were lower in children than in adults. PMID: 20130570 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics)
Acute effect of nitroglycerin on cyclosporine-induced hypertension after cardiac transplantation.
CONCLUSION: After application of nitroglycerin, sBP is reduced immediately in HTX with uncontrolled cyclosporine-induced hypertension. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effect of nitrates in these patients. PMID: 20131116 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Swiss Medical Weekly)
Children of diabetic mothers have increased cardiometabolic risk factors
Children of diabetic mothers have significantly increased levels of cardiometabolic risk factors by the age of 9.5 years, say researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Antihypertensive persistence, compliance factors identified
Persistence and compliance with antihypertensive therapy have improved since the late 1990s among elderly patients residing in Ontario, Canada, show results of a study that also found the rates of each were highest when patients were initiated on an ACE inhibitor. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)
Reducing Dietary Sodium: The Case for Caution [Commentary]
(Source: JAMA)
Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in children: experience in a developing country
Conclusion  In a developing country, CCSK is rare and clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from Wilms tumour. Associated hypertension is common. Pretreatment diagnosis is difficult and sampling errors using needle biopsies may be unavoidable. Treatment results are poor and, given the propensity for late recurrence in CCSK, may not be sustained. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00383-010-2554-0Authors G. P. Hadley, University of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Paediatric Surgery, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine Congella South AfricaM. H. Sheik-Gafoor, University of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Paediatric Surgery, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine Congella South Africa Journal Pediatric Surgery InternationalOnline ISSN ...
Haiti: New life amid destruction
After the earthquake, eighteen-year old Djenny was one of the first women to deliver in Isaie Jeanty hospital in the Chancerelle area of Port-Au-Prince. Assisted by the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team, Djenny gave birth to a healthy little boy that she named Mike. Many others have since joined them in the now bustling maternity ward. Before the earthquake, Isaie Jeanty hospital specialized in obstetric and maternity care. However, in order to meet the enormous surgical needs, MSF, working together with staff from the Ministry of Health, began to offer a wider range of services, including orthopedic surgery, post-operative care, physiotherapy and mental health support.  Yet, Isaie Jeanty continued to remain a referral centre for maternal care, with MSF helping to deliver an aver...
Herbal medicines affect heart drugs
Conclusion This review has looked at a serious topic using acceptable methods. There are several difficulties due to the fact they found little good quality research on the topic: Most of the research into the harms from these drugs is from single case reports or case series. This is regarded as low-level evidence, because without a control group it is not possible to say for certain what caused the events and what the background rates of these incidents (such as bleeding) are in the general population. There is no detail on how the researchers selected the articles or how many they found in their search. A fully systematic review would describe the number of studies identified by the search and the detailed methods of each study. As this report has not done this, the reader is una...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Membrane-associated Hsp72 from tumor-derived exosomes mediates STAT3-dependent immunosuppressive function of mouse and human myeloid-derived suppressor cells
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been identified in humans and mice as a population of immature myeloid cells with the ability to suppress T cell activation. They accumulate in tumor-bearing mice and humans and have been shown to contribute to cancer development. Here, we have isolated tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) from mouse cell lines and shown that an interaction between TDE-associated Hsp72 and MDSCs determines the suppressive activity of the MDSCs via activation of Stat3. In addition, tumor-derived soluble factors triggered MDSC expansion via activation of Erk. TDE-associated Hsp72 triggered Stat3 activation in MDSCs in a TLR2/MyD88-dependent manner through autocrine production of IL-6. Importantly, decreasing exosome production using dimethyl amiloride enhanced the in vi...
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)
After beating cancer, Villanova runner Koons wins courageous athlete award
Blessed is a word with which Koons has more than a passing acquaintance. Diagnosed during the summer of 2007 with clear-cell renal carcinoma - a form of kidney cancer typically found in people over 40 who are heavy smokers, obese or have high blood pressure - Koons had successful surgery to remove the tumor and has since resumed her training regimen with the hope of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.02/02/2010 (Source: Kidney Cancer Association)
Cost Effectiveness of Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Monotherapy in Patients with Hypertension in the Netherlands: A Comparative Analysis Using Clinical Trial and Drug Utilization Data
(Source: American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs)
Diabetes Patients, Docs Don't See Eye To Eye
Doctors want people with diabetes to worry about long-term issues such as high blood pressure, but patients are often more worried about immediate problems. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated With HIV Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on January 29 that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000. Videx/Videx EC is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection in children and adults... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated With HIV Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on January 29 that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000... (Source: HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today)
Patient-Provider Concordance in the Prioritization of Health Conditions Among Hypertensive Diabetes Patients
CONCLUSIONS  Patients and their primary care providers often agreed on the most important health conditions affecting patients with multimorbidity, but this concordance was lower for patients with poor health status or non-health competing demands. Interventions that increase provider awareness about symptomatic concerns and competing demands may improve chronic disease management in these vulnerable patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11606-009-1232-1Authors Donna M. Zulman, Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor MI USAEve A. Kerr, Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor MI USATimothy P. Hofer, Health S...
Heal yourself in 15 days by transforming your blood (part four)
This article continues part four of the 15-part article series called Heal Yourself in 15 Days. In part three, we explored how you are what you absorb, not merely what you eat (http://www.naturalnews.com/028067_self_healing_digestion.html). Today, in part four, we take a closer look at how to transform your health by changing your blood.Your blood is a useful focal point for exploring your health. Whatever health outcome you are experiencing today, it is largely a result of what's in your blood.Think about it: Your blood bathes your cells in nutrients 24 hours a day. Blood not only brings vital nutrients to your cells; it also carries away metabolic waste products. It is the superhighway of nutrition and detoxification that reaches into (virtually) every organ and cell in your entire body....
Metformin May Help Obese Teens Lose Weight
Title: Metformin May Help Obese Teens Lose WeightCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/2/2010 10:22:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/2/2010 10:22:04 AM (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Poor Mental Functioning May Predict Stroke
Title: Poor Mental Functioning May Predict StrokeCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/1/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/2/2010 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)
Play yourself healthy
(University of Copenhagen) A just published research experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just three months of soccer practice twice a week causes a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate and percentage of body fat, and is more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
FDA Issues Liver Risk Warning For HIV Drug
Federal health officials said Monday that patients taking a Bristol-Myers Squibb drug for HIV are at risk of a rare, but potentially fatal, liver disorder. The Food and Drug Administration said it has received 42 reports of the disorder since Videx was approved in 1991. Four patients died from bleeding or liver failure after developing the problem, known as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. (Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire)
Atrial Electroanatomical Remodeling as a Determinant of Different Outcomes Between Two Current Ablation Strategies: Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation Vs Pulmonary Vein Isolation
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the efficacy of the 2 different ablation techniques of atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) size.A total of 81 patients with paroxysmal AF (n = 58) or persistent AF (n = 23) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI; n = 45) or PVI (n = 36) without respect to echocardiographic results for LA volume index (LAVI). Of the 81 patients, 41 had less dilated LA (group 1; LAVI < 27 cc/m2) and 40 had dilated LA (group 2; LAVI [ge] 27 cc/m2). During the 9-month follow-up, 33 patients (73.3%) after circumferential PVI and 18 (50%) after PVI (P = .031) were free of arrhythmia. The risk of recurrence was associated with persistent AF, hypertension, LAVI > 27 ml/m2, PVI, early ...
Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors Among a Sample of Overweight and Obese Mexican Children
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlations of components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) pediatric definition in a cross-sectional study of 215 overweight/obese Mexican children aged 6 to 12. There are no previous studies of this kind in Mexican children. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements were performed. The prevalence of MetS using the pediatric IDF criteria was 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 4.0[ndash]11.1). A higher proportion of children in the younger age group had waist circumference above the cutoff, while a higher proportion in the older age group had hyperglycemia. Children with MetS had higher percentages of body fat, body mass index, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprot...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Cochrane review: Roselle for hypertension in adults
Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine Background Hypertension is considered a serious health problem worldwide. Controlling and lowering blood pressure have a significant benefit to the hypertensive patients because hypertension is a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and cardiovascular disease. A tropical plant called Roselle, or Red Sorrel in English-speaking countries, has been used both as a thirst-quenching drink and for medical purposes.   Objectives To explore the effect of Roselle on blood pressure in hypertensive adult patients.   Search strategy The following databases were searched (Date of most recent search was September 2009): - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2nd Quarter 2009) - DARE (2nd Quarter 2009) - Ovid MEDLIN...
Effect of cyclosporine on blood pressure
Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Medication Safety Abstract   Background Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent used for different autoimmune diseases. The official Canadian indications for cyclosporine are solid organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and nephritic syndrome (e-CPS 2008). The expanding range of indications for cyclosporine therapy will lead to more patients receiving chronic therapy with possible side effects, hypertension being one of the most common. Therefore it is essential to know the magnitude of increase of blood pressure (BP) associated with cyclosporine in order to appropriately manage patients receiving the drug.   Objectives The primary objective of this systematic review is to evaluate ...
More elderly people should be included in drug trials: EU report
Source: BBC Health News Area: News An EU funded project called PREDICT has examined the extent to which elderly people are excluded from clinical trials of drugs. From a review of published trials, they found evidence of exclusion: for example, mean age of participants in trials of antihypertensive drugs was 63, although 44% of people with hypertension are over 70 when first diagnosed.   The project researchers note that elderly people may respond differently to drugs, and they may also have multiple conditions and be taking other medication. They note that such factors make carrying out trials in the elderly more difficult, but not including them makes results unrepresentative of clinical practice. It is thus more difficult for doctors to practice evidence-based medicine. &nbs...
Effects of a 12-week intervention period with football and running for habitually active men with mild hypertension
The present study examined the effect of football (F, n=15) training on the health profile of habitually active 25[ndash]45-year-old men with mild hypertension and compared it with running (R, n=15) training and no additional activity (controls, C, n=17). The participants in F and R completed a 1-h training session 2.4 times/week for 12 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in all groups but the decrease in diastolic blood pressure in F ([minus]9 ± 5 (± SD) mmHg) was higher than that in C ([minus]4 ± 6 mmHg). F was as effective as R in decreasing body mass ([minus]1.6 ± 1.8 vs[minus]1.5 ± 2.1 kg) and total fat mass ([minus]2.0 ± 1.5 vs [minus]1.6 ± 1.5 kg) and in increasing supine heart rate variability, whereas no changes were detected for C. Maximal stroke volume ...
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, or Broken-Heart Syndrome (March).
CONCLUSIONS: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy causes a reversible left ventricle dysfunction which occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women with or without cardiovascular disease. Recognition is detected with coronary angiography. It is thought to primarily be due to an abnormally high sympathetic stimulation after emotional or psychological stress. Treatment consists of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and/or beta blocker if needed for left ventricular dysfunction and possibly an anxiolytic agent. PMID: 20124462 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Endothelial dysfunction: a strategic target in the treatment of hypertension?
Authors: Tang EH, Vanhoutte PM Endothelial dysfunction is a common feature of hypertension, and it results from the imbalanced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs; in particular, nitric oxide) and endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs; angiotensin II, endothelins, uridine adenosine tetraphosphate, and cyclooxygenase-derived EDCFs). Thus, drugs that increase EDRFs (using direct nitric oxide releasing compounds, tetrahydrobiopterin, or L: -arginine supplementation) or decrease EDCF release or actions (using cyclooxygenase inhibitor or thromboxane A2/prostanoid receptor antagonists) would prevent the dysfunction. Many conventional antihypertensive drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and third-generation beta-bloc...
A New Warning for Users of Videx and Videx EC (didanosine)
The Food and Drug Administration is alerting HIV specialists and medical providers about a serious liver problem that could arise in those people taking Videx or Videx EC. Also known as didanosine, the drug is now being linked to a rare disorder of the liver called non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is caused by the slowing of blood through the liver's venous system. As the blood slows, back pressure can occur throughout the venus system, causing enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus called varices. Varices are dangerous because if they rupture, a person can have massive amounts of bleeding that could cause death if not stopped immediately. Most often portal hypertension is caused by liver cirrhosis, a hardening of the liver that slows blood flow. Experts are now repo...
A genetic variant in the gene encoding fibrinogen beta chain predicted development of hypertension in Chinese men.
Authors: Ong KL, Tso AW, Cherny SS, Sham PC, Lam KS, Jiang CQ, Thomas GN, Lam TH, Cheung BM Fibrinogen, a major determinant of blood viscosity, is an acute phase protein associated with cardiovascular disease. We studied the association of hypertension with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the fibrinogen beta chain (FGB). Three tagging SNPs (rs1025154, rs4220 and rs1044291) were selected from the HapMap database on Han Chinese. Genotypes were determined in 1,294 unrelated subjects from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study cohort. There were 199 hypertensive subjects at baseline. Among 1,095 subjects normotensive at baseline, 178 developed hypertension during a median follow-up period of 6.4 years. Among the three tagging SNPs, rs4220 show...
Low-carb diet better for weight loss and BP reduction than orlistat
Study results show that consuming a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet allows overweight individuals to lose a similar amount of weight and to reduce their blood pressure to a greater degree than those taking orlistat and consuming a low-fat diet. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)
The Miracle of Vitamin D: Sound Science, or Hype?
Imagine a treatment that could build bones, strengthen the immune system and lower the risks of illnesses like diabetes, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. (Source: NYT > Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Roles of Gastrointestinal and Adipose Tissue Peptides in Childhood Obesity and Changes After Weight Loss Due to Lifestyle Intervention [Review Article]
Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease, in addition to psychological disorders. Interventions such as bariatric surgery are highly invasive and lifestyle modifications are often unsuccessful because of disturbed perceptions of satiety. New signaling peptides discovered in recent years that are produced in peripheral tissues such as the gut, adipose tissue, and pancreas communicate with brain centers of energy homeostasis, such as the hypothalamus and hindbrain. This review discusses the major known gut- and adipose tissue–derived hormones involved in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis and their serum levels in childhood obesity before and after weight loss as well as...
FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated with HIV Drug
Rare, but serious, liver disorder reported in some patients SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder,... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)
FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated with HIV Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000. Videx/Videx EC is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection in children and adults. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)
FDA Announces Safety Risk Associated with HIV Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, a rare, but serious, liver disorder, has been reported in some HIV patients taking Videx/Videx EC (didanosine). Videx is an antiretroviral medicine first approved by the FDA in 1991. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx approved in 2000. Videx/Videx EC is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection in children and adults. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)
Overcrowded Hospital Wards: Performing Caesarean Sections on a Park Bench - 18 January 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE—Six days after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince, are flooded with victims, many of them with crushed limbs or fractured bones. But another kind of emergency, perhaps less visible but equally deadly, can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care. Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies. (Source: UNFPA News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Visual Diagnosis: Persistent Hypoxemia and Pulmonary Hypertension in a 3-day-old Infant (Click here)
(Source: NeoReviews recent issues)
AmlodipineAtorvastatin: A Review of its Use in the Treatment of Hypertension and Dyslipidaemia and the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
(Source: Drugs)
Didanosine Associated with Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension
(Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Newborn infants of smokers show circulatory dysfunction
Newborn infants of women who currently smoke display impaired blood pressure control mechanisms from birth up to the age of 1 year, when compared with infants of non-smokers, study results demonstrate. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)
Calcium-dependent cleavage of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger by m-calpain in isolated endoplasmic reticulum
We have recently demonstrated the localization of associated m-calpain and calpastatin in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle. Herein, we sought to determine the role of m-calpain on calcium-dependent proteolytic cleavage of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in the ER. Treatment of the ER with Ca2+ (5 mM) dissociates m-calpain–calpastatin association leading to the activation of m-calpain, which subsequently cleaves the ER integral transmembrane protein NCX1 (116 kDa) to an 82 kDa fragment. Pre-treatment of the ER with calpain inhibitors, calpeptin (10 µM) or MDL28170 (10 µM), or Ca2+ chelator, EGTA (10 mM) does not cleave NCX1. In vitro cleavage of the ER purified NCX1 by the ER purified m-calpain also supports our finding. Cleavage of NCX1 by ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Presentation: Fructose drives hyperuricemia and uric acid then causes hypertension
The following presentation is by the nephrologist Joel Topf who writes the blog PBFluids.com. The subject is how fructose drives hyperuricemia and how uric acid then causes hypertension. He used the slidecast feature on slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/faqs/slidecast), so the slides have a full audio track. Uric Acid, Fructose and Hypertension View more presentations from Joel Topf. Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated and subscribe, or follow me on Twitter. (Source: Clinical Cases and Images)
Multifactorial Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes
Abstract  Type 2 diabetes is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Although several clinical trials have evaluated the effects of interventions to reduce CVD risk in people with diabetes, such studies are primarily conducted to target individual risk factors such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia rather than using a multifactorial interventional approach. Existing clinical trial data suggest that intensive multifactorial interventions that target several important risk factors simultaneously result in a significantly greater risk reduction in CVD risk compared with single risk factor interventions. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy and effectiveness of such interventions on CVD h...
Patient recall of receiving lifestyle advice for overweight and hypertension from their General Practitioner
Conclusions: Less than 1/3 of overweight/obese patients reported that they had received lifestyle advice that could assist with weight loss from their GP. About a third of respondents with hypertension reported that they received advice to reduce salt intake. There are potentially missed opportunities in which GPs could provide re-enforcement of benefits of lifestyle changes with respect to weight and blood pressure control. (Source: BMC Family Practice)
Spontaneous Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery
We describe a case of spontaneous dissection and thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery in a 54-year-old man who presented with new onset of hypertension and epigastric pain. Initial unsuccessful treatment with catheter-directed thrombolysis was followed by surgical intervention. In cases in which an extensive intimectomy is performed, early institution of antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation may be necessary to preserve vessel patency due to the presence of a prothrombotic surface and compromised outflow. (Source: Annals of Vascular Surgery)
Functional status as a prognostic factor for primary revascularization for critical limb ischemia
Conclusion: Nonambulatory patients suffer from extensive comorbid conditions. They are accompanied with an increased occurrence of AEs, unplanned reinterventions, and poor long-term survival rates. Successful LEAR did not improve their functional status after 6 years. This emphasizes that attempts for limb salvage must be carefully considered in these patients. (Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Prediction of Hypertension Improvement After Stenting of Renal Artery Stenosis: Comparative Accuracy of Translesional Pressure Gradients, Intravascular Ultrasound, and Angiography
Conclusion: A hyperemic systolic pressure gradient ?21 mm Hg predicts improvement in hypertension after stenting of renal artery stenosis. Summary: Correlation is poor between the percentage of renal artery stenosis measured by renal angiography and translesional pressure gradients across the renal artery stenosis. It is postulated therefore that the discordance between procedural and clinical success in the treatment of renal artery stenosis may, at least in part, stem from the limitations of angiography and the assessment of the significance of renal artery stenosis. The authors therefore sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of renal artery translesional pressure gradients, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, and angiographic parameters in predicting hypertension improvement...
Revascularization vs Medical Therapy for Renal-Artery Stenosis
Conclusion: There is no significant clinical benefit from renal artery revascularization in patients with renal artery atherosclerotic disease. Summary: Renal artery stenosis is associated with chronic kidney disease and hypertension. It is, however, not clear that these associations are causal. In fact, three small randomized control trials have showed no benefit of renal artery angioplasty compared with medical therapy (Hypertension 1998;31:823-9; J Hum Hypertens 1998;12:329-35; N Engl J Med 2000;342:1007-14). These studies were small and underpowered to detect potentially clinically worthwhile improvements in renal function, blood pressure, or mortality rates. The current Angioplasty and Stent for Renal Artery Lesions (ASTRAL) trial is a randomized unblinded trial in which 806 with ath...
Strokes After Cardiac Surgery and Relationship to Carotid Stenosis
Conclusion: There is no causal relationship between significant carotid stenosis and stroke after cardiac surgery. Summary: There are potentially multiple mechanisms for stoke after a cardiac surgical procedure, including carotid artery stenosis, cardiac arrhythmia, aortic atherosclerosis, transient hypercoagulable states, and hypertension. These multiple and often coexisting causes make studying the mechanism of stroke after cardiac surgery difficult. Estimates are that in 2001, >5000 combined cardiac and carotid operations were performed in the United States (Neurology 2007;63:195-97). Recent analyses suggest increased stroke and death after combined procedures (Neurology 2007;68:195-7; Neurology 2005;64:1435-7). In this study of 4335 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting ...
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of bosentan in Chinese patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Conclusions: Bosentan improved exercise capacity, functional class, and cardiopulmonary hemodynamics in this patient cohort and was well tolerated. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)
The globalization of clinical trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension
See companion articles on pages 137 and 150 (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Variable prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with advanced interstitial pneumonia
Conclusions: African American patients and patients with connective tissue disease-interstitial pneumonia had a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension. Non-African American patients with advanced idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) had a low prevalence of pulmonary hypertension. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)
Pulsatile left ventricular assist device support as a bridge to decision in patients with end-stage heart failure complicated by pulmonary hypertension
Conclusion: Pulmonary hemodynamics and post-HTx survival were similar after pulsatile LVAD support in patients with and without pre-implant PH. LVAD support may be a useful strategy to reverse PH in carefully selected patients, thus improving candidacy for HTx. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)
Exercise-uncovered pulmonary arterial hypertension and pharmacologic therapy: Clinical benefits
Exercise-uncovered pulmonary arterial hypertension (ePAH) refers to a clinical situation characterized by normal resting hemodynamics, but with pathologic elevations during exercise (defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] >30 mm Hg with exercise). Controversy abounds, and this definition was recently removed by consensus at the 4th World Symposium at Dana Point due to lack of studies supporting this entity. Despite contention, clinicians encounter this entity of ePAH frequently and some investigators have reported that, in patients with scleroderma, screening with exercise Doppler echocardiography may result in earlier diagnosis of PAH. Others have suggested ePAH is an early and clinically relevant phase of the PAH spectrum, demonstrable by temporally progressive hemodynamics p...
Pulmonary hypertension associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is increasingly recognized as a complication of chronic left heart disease; however, the literature concerns almost entirely patients with systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Yet, 50% of heart failure patients have a preserved ejection fraction and thus left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Despite an increasing number of patients with PH due to LVDD (PH-LVDD), there has been very little study of this clinical syndrome: two previous reports described just 3 patients, 16 years ago. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)
Effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on hypertension management: a cross-sectional study among 28 physician practices in the United States
ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factor clusters (CMRFCs) and their effect on BP control among hypertensive patients from 28 US physician practices. Methods: Each participating practice identified a random sample of 150-300 adults (>=18 years old) diagnosed with hypertension. The primary outcome variable was BP control (BP (Source: Cardiovascular Diabetology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
The selective β1-adrenoceptor antagonist nebivolol is a potential oestrogen receptor agonist with neuroprotective abilities
Conclusions and implications: We showed that nebivolol acts as ER agonist in neuronal cell lines, and suggest oestrogen-like neuroprotective effects mediated by nebivolol. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)
FDA warns of risk of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension with didanosine
Source: FDA Area: News The FDA has notified healthcare professionals and patients in the US of revision of the 'Warning and Precautions' section of the US didanosine (Videx® or Videx EC®) drug label, following post-marketing reports of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in association with its use.   The FDA is aware of 42 post-marketing cases of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in patients using didanosine submitted to the Adverse Event Reporting System; the duration of use ranged from months to years and the patient ages ranged from 10 to 66 years.  Medical interventions described in the reported cases included banding/ligation of oesophageal varices, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) procedure, and liver transplantation.  There were four deaths ...
Case report: Acute pancreatitis associated with lisinopril and olanzapine
Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Area: News This case report discusses a 69-year old woman who suffered from acute pancreatitis as a result of the combination of lisinopril and olanzapine.   She had started lisinopril for hypertension three months prior to her emergency admission, and had been taking olanzapine regularly for bipolar disorder.  As other common causes were ruled out, it was concluded that the recent combination of lisinopril and olanzapine was the likely cause of the pancreatitis. Food and liquids were withheld, and all oral medicines were stopped at hospital admission. Her pain resolved completely after two days, and all of her medicines except lisinopril and olanzapine were restarted at discharge.    Olanzapine was temporarily...
Optical-Flow-Based B-Mode Elastography: Application in the Hypertensive Rat Carotid
Background—Ultrasound elastography is now used worldwide in tissue characterization. The primary premises of elastography are that speckle kinematics reproduces underlying tissue kinematics and that tissue motion can be inferred from speckle tracking. This implicitly assumes that speckle pattern is a material property that can be tracked with respect to time and space. It is then convenient to express the motion of such a material property in terms of total derivative, also known as optical flow (OF) equations. Aims—The present paper introduces a new iterative OF-based elastography (OFBE) method devoted to B-mode data. The first OFBE iteration computes axial and lateral displacement fields. Such displacement fields are used for data rigid registration, prior to the second OFB...

factors for hypertension can be controlled effectively by your lifestyle choices. For example, excess weight and lack of exercise can lead to high blood pressure. So can tobacco use, excess alcohol consumption and chronic stress. By making good lifestyle choices that avoid as many of these risk factors as possible, you can do much to reduce your chances of developing dangerous hypertension. You may also have a higher risk of developing hypertension at some time in your life if you have a family history of this condition.

High Blood Pressure Treatments

The proper treatment of hypertension is important, even if you are not feeling bad. Since high blood pressure can increase your risk of other serious health problems, controlling your blood pressure is an important step to a healthier you. Lifestyle changes and medication is often the first step in controlling hypertension, and there are many prescription drugs that your doctor can prescribe to find the one that works the best for you.

In addition to medication, lifestyle changes are an effective way to keep your blood pressure under control. A healthy diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables is a good first step, coupled with thirty minutes of daily physical activity that will keep your cardiovascular system strong and healthy. These two steps will also help you to maintain a healthy weight, which is another positive step in controlling blood pressure. Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake and learning to manage your stress effectively are other good choices for lower blood pressure. Getting serious about your health is an important step in keeping your hypertension under control and enjoying a healthier lifestyle overall.

Also there are many natural ways to help lower your blood pressure without the use of drugs.

Hypertension & High Blood Pressure Articles..

Can Massage Help Hypertension
We know that hypertension is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood pressure has elevated too high. There are actually various different levels of hypertension and it is a condition that Read more...

Living with Hypertension And Neck Pain
By Nurse Nancy
Have you ever felt like your blood was going to boil and you could just barely rotate your neck, you probably have a condition referred to as neck pain and Read more...