Hypertension News

This section informs healthcare professionals of the latest medical information via daily news articles on hypertension and other related areas.

Recent Headlines

• A Link Between The Circadian Rhythm And Salt Balance

  Friday, July 3, 2009
  New research, conducted by Charles Wingo and his colleagues, at the University of Florida, Gainsville, suggests a link between the circadian rhythm and control of sodium (salt) levels in mice. The hormone aldosterone regulates levels of sodium in the blood and thereby helps control blood pressure.

• Biomarker Of Breathing Control Abnormality Associated With Hypertension And Stroke

  Friday, July 3, 2009
  A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP identified a distinct ECG-derived spectrographic phenotype, designated as narrow-band elevated low frequency coupling (e-LFCNB), that is associated with prevalent hypertension, stroke, greater severity of sleep disordered breathing and sleep fragmentation in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Results indicate that the odds ratio for prevalent stroke was 1.65 [CI: 1.

• New Product For Pfizer Specialty Takes Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension To Heart

  Thursday, July 2, 2009
  Pfizer Australia announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the local distribution rights for THELIN® (Sitaxentan sodium), an oral, once-daily highly selective endothelin receptor antagonist, indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with NYHA/WHO Functional Class III symptoms to improve exercise ability. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and in pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease1.

• Lap-Band Weight-Loss Surgery Can Reverse Metabolic Syndrome In Obese Teens

  Thursday, July 2, 2009
  A new study of obese adolescents has shown that laparoscopic gastric banding surgery -- the "Lap-Band" procedure -- not only helps them achieve significant weight loss but can also improve and even reverse metabolic syndrome, reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

• Researchers Show New Antioxidant Could Help Treat Cardiovascular Disease

  Wednesday, July 1, 2009
  Researchers at the University of Glasgow believe they have found a potential new treatment for cardiovascular disease which reduces blood pressure. Scientists at the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre (BHF GCRC) used a recently-developed antioxidant called MitoQ10 to prevent damage to the mitochondria of cells in an experimental model of hypertension and stroke.

• Latin America Must Cut Blood Pressure To Thrive

  Saturday, June 27, 2009
  Combating high blood pressure is a global challenge. But while developed countries have enjoyed reductions in cardiovascular disease over recent decades, Latin America has been less fortunate. In fact new research published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease shows that high blood pressure is on the increase in many Latin American countries, a situation set to worsen unless immediate action is taken.

• Bosentan Is Cost-Effective For Patients With Moderate PAH

  Friday, June 26, 2009
  Bosentan appears to be a more cost-effective initial treatment option for patients with moderate pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), classified as WHO functional class III, than no active intervention. A cost-utility model was constructed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of bosentan compared with no active intervention, both added to palliative care in the UK.

• Biotechnology Reports Biochemical Findings From Phase IIa Study With Hypertension Vaccine CYT006-AngQb

  Thursday, June 25, 2009
  Cytos Biotechnology Ltd (SIX:CYTN) announced results from a biochemical analysis from a phase IIa study (study 02) with the vaccine candidate CYT006-AngQb for the treatment of hypertension. CYT006-AngQb has demonstrated in a first phase IIa study (study 01) a significant reduction of the day-time ambulatory blood pressure of -9 / -4 mmHg (systolic/diastolic) vs. placebo (The Lancet 2008, 371:821).

• Fish Protein Link To Controlling High Blood Pressure, New Study

  Wednesday, June 24, 2009
  Medical scientists at the University of Leicester are investigating how a species of fish from the Pacific Ocean could help provide answers to tackling chronic conditions such as hereditary high blood pressure and kidney disease. They are examining whether the Goby fish can help researchers locate genes linked to high blood pressure.

• Expedition To Mount Everest Offers New Insights Into Chronic Disease

  Tuesday, June 23, 2009
  Results of the HIGHCARE2008 Project were announced during the recent 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), Milan, Italy.

• Researchers Compare Different Systems Of Measuring Treatment Intensity In Hypertension Care

  Friday, June 19, 2009
  It is known that more intensive management of hypertension can improve blood pressure control and thus improve cardiovascular outcomes. However, there are several different systems of measuring the intensity of management of hypertension, and they have not been previously compared. If one system performs best, it would be important to use it to measure intensity of management for research and quality improvement purposes.

• Patients Beat High Blood Pressure With IDEAL LIFE Remote Health Monitoring

  Friday, June 19, 2009
  A new study reveals that 900 hypertensive patients using IDEAL LIFE remote health management devices to monitor their blood pressure effectively reduced their systolic blood pressure (SYS) by an average of 10 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). For many patients, this decrease brought them below 140 mmHg, the level traditionally defined as the threshold for "high" blood pressure.

• New Investigational Combination Telmisartan And Amlodipine Shows Effective And Well-tolerated 24-hour Blood Pressure Control In Hypertensive Patients

  Tuesday, June 16, 2009
  Data presented today at the 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension, Milan, Italy has demonstrated that treatment with an investigational combination of telmisartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker [ARB]) and amlodipine (a calcium-channel blocker [CCB]) shows substantial and sustained 24-hour blood pressure (BP) lowering and is well-tolerated in a range of patients with hypertension at risk of cardiovascular (CV) events.

• New Data Confirm That Diovan(R) And Valsartan-Based Combinations Offer Patients Sustained, 24-hr BP-lowering Efficacy

  Monday, June 15, 2009
  Data presented at the 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) confirm that Diovan® (valsartan) and valsartan-based combinations deliver sustained, 24-hr blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy2-6. Studies have suggested that the relative risks of acute myocardial infarction, stroke and sudden cardiac death are 40%, 49% and 29% higher, respectively, when the period between 6 a.m. and noon is compared to the rest of the day1.

• Screening For Left Ventricular Dysfunction May Have Less Value Than Thought

  Friday, June 12, 2009
  The value and cost-effectiveness of screening for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction remains unclear, particularly since specific, evidence-based treatments are not available for the majority of patients with preserved systolic dysfunction, reports a study in the June issue of the Journal of Cardiac Failure, published by Elsevier.

• The Pressure Is On For African Americans With Hypertension

  Friday, June 12, 2009
  Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of African Americans with high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) say they worry more about their finances than their personal health, according to a new 'My Pressure Points'(TM) national survey commissioned by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., in collaboration with the Association of Black Cardiologists.(1) In addition, almost half (48 percent) are stressed about their work and careers.

• Advisory: If You Have Taken Flomax(R), Tell Your Ophthalmologist BEFORE Having Cataract Surgery

  Friday, June 12, 2009
  The results of a new study reinforce an advisory that patients taking Flomax® (Tamsulosin) to treat prostate enlargement and urinary problems should inform their ophthalmologist about their use of this drug before undergoing eye surgery. The advisory was issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) and the

• The Pressure Is On For African Americans With Hypertension

  Thursday, June 11, 2009
  Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of African Americans with high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) say they worry more about their finances than their personal health, according to a new 'My Pressure Points'(TM) national survey commissioned by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., in collaboration with the Association of Black Cardiologists.(1) In addition, almost half (48 percent) are stressed about their work and careers.

• New Survey Finds Majority Of Adults Don't Understand A Key Source Of High Blood Pressure

  Thursday, June 11, 2009
  A new survey released shows that 3 out of 4 (75%) adults with high blood pressure are not at all familiar with the role of the renin system(1) -- a key regulator of blood pressure in the body.(2) Yet, about 9 out of 10 adults with high blood pressure (89%) both believe the condition is a cause for concern and want to understand what is going on in their body that is causing it.

• In Mouse Study Immune Cells Ameliorate Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Damage

  Thursday, June 11, 2009
  Researchers in Berlin, Germany have found that a specific type of immune cell, the regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg) plays an important role in hypertension-induced cardiac damage. The injected Treg that they harvested from donor mice into recipient mice were infused with angiotensin II, a blood pressure-raising peptide. The Tregs had no influence on the blood pressure response to angiotensin II. Nonetheless, cardiac enlargement, fibrosis, and inflammation was sharply reduced by Treg treatment.

• Blood Pressure Association Comment On CARDIA Sleep Study

  Thursday, June 11, 2009
  UK charity the Blood Pressure Association has responded to the American Medical Association CARDIA Sleep Study - 'Association Between Sleep and Blood Pressure in Midlife', published in Archives of Internal Medicines (volume 169, no. 11) Mike Rich, Executive Director of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: "This is an interesting study and there's no doubt that all of us, including people who have high blood pressure, feel better after a good night's sleep.

• Retirement Study: Hypertension Among Lower-Status Employees Lingers Well Into Retirement

  Wednesday, June 10, 2009
  Retirement from some occupations may not provide relief from the potentially devastating health effects of work-related hypertension, according to a new study from UC Davis.

• Study Results Present Efficacy And Safety Findings From The PHIRST-1 Study Of Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

  Wednesday, June 10, 2009
  United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the results of a pivotal 16-week study showing that a once-daily dose of tadalafil was generally well tolerated, improved exercise capacity and improved time to clinical worsening in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)(1).

• Insufficient Sleep Linked To High Blood Pressure

  Wednesday, June 10, 2009
  Not getting enough sleep could increase a person's risk of developing high blood pressure, said US researchers who monitored over 500 middle aged people for 5 years. They hope that the discovery of this new risk factor will help prevent more people developing high blood pressure and suggest more research is done to see if improving sleep patterns reduces the risk.

• Less Sleep Associated With High, Worsening Blood Pressure In Middle Age

  Tuesday, June 9, 2009
  Middle-aged adults who sleep fewer hours appear more likely to have high blood pressure and to experience adverse changes in blood pressure over time, according to a report in the June 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Almost one-third of Americans have hypertension or high blood pressure, a condition that contributes to 7 million deaths worldwide each year, according to background information in the article.