theHeart.org - Hypertension

Cardiovascular effects of air pollution, even in the comfort of home

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:45:06 EST

Researchers who fitted study subjects with "air-pollution vests" to continuously monitor exposure to both indoor and outdoor air pollutants say that people are probably exposed to much higher levels of pollutants than community monitoring stations typically indicate and that this exposure affects both endothelial function and systolic blood pressure. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

New meta-analysis of beta blockers in noncardiac surgery: Time to abandon their use, or not?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:00:45 EST

The use of beta blockers perioperatively to prevent cardiovascular events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is not justified by current evidence, according to the authors of a new meta-analysis. An update to the guidelines on this issue is under way, says one member of the writing committee, who incidentally does not agree with this overall conclusion. (Bangalore S et al. Lancet; published online before print November 12, 2008. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

I-PRESERVE: Strike three for RAAS inhibition in preserved-LVEF heart failure

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:42 EST

Four years of treatment with irbesartan, usually on top of other drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, didn't improve outcomes in patients with the common but poorly understood form of heart failure. The trial follows previous negative studies of an ACE inhibitor and a different angiotensin-receptor blocker, respectively, in similar populations. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Hibiscus tea reduces blood pressure

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:30:07 EST

Results of a small randomized trial show that hibiscus tea given three times daily reduced systolic blood pressure by about 7 mm Hg in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive subjects. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Eliminating inequalities in CHD: Focus on classic risk factors

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST

Focusing on the classic risk factors for coronary heart disease and ensuring that best-practice interventions to reduce absolute risk are implemented across the board could largely eliminate socioeconomic differences in CHD deaths, a new British study predicts (Kivimäki M et al. Lancet 2008; 372:1648-1654.)

New ranolazine indication in US allows first-line use in angina

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:45:26 EST

Endothelial dysfunction seen in "minimally symptomatic" obstructive sleep apnea

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:15:00 EDT

OSA not accompanied by daytime symptoms might still suggest increased cardiovascular risk, according to researchers. (Kohler M et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008; 178:984-988.)

MESA ties diabetes, HTN to new heart-failure risk in African Americans

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:00:24 EDT

Race per se shouldn't be a barrier to lowering the risk of new heart failure in African Americans, because the main causes are treatable, according to investigators for the longitudinal cohort study. (Bahrami H et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2138-2145.)

MIs linked to daylight saving time may also help explain MI spikes on Mondays

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Rest easy for now: MI rates appear to increase in the spring but dip marginally with the end of DST in autumn, due likely to the extra hour of sleep. (Janszky et al. N Engl J Med 2008; 359:1966-1967.)

Beta blockers up risk of MI, death after noncardiac ops

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:00:26 EDT

A new retrospective cohort study has found that those taking beta blockers prior to noncardiac surgery had higher rates of MI and death at 30 days than those not taking beta blockers. The findings are similar to those of the landmark POISE study, says the senior author, although he acknowledges that there are some differences and that the new study has limitations. (Kaafarani HMA et al. Arch Surg 2008; 143:940-944.)

Hydrogen sulfide discovered to be a major player in the regulation of blood pressure

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Nitric oxide, it turns out, is not alone in controlling blood-pressure levels. A new study points to hydrogen sulfide, a gas responsible for some noxious smells, as a major physiologic vasodilator and regulator of blood pressure. (Yang G et al. Science 2008; 322:587-590.)

Reducing heart rate in hypertension is harmfulor is it just atenolol?

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:15:39 EDT

Slowing the heart rate with beta blockers in people with hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death, a new systematic review shows. But one expert points out the analysis was done mainly with studies that used atenolol and that it remains to be determined whether it is this drug per se or the reduction in heart rate that is harmful. (Bangalore S et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52:1482-1489.)

Aspirin: Should it be used for primary prevention in diabetics?

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:45:26 EDT

A new study, POPADAD, has found no evidence that aspirin or antioxidants are of any benefit in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients with asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The authors and accompanying editorialist say guidelines should be changed; others say more evidence is needed. (Belch Jet al. BMJ; published online before print October 16, 2008.)

New rofecoxib data will help inform treatment decisions with other coxibs, NSAIDs

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EDT

New results from the extended follow-up of the APPROVE trial provide a more complete assessment of the cardiovascular toxicity of the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib than previously reported. The findings are still very relevant, because this is a class effect, say the researchers and editorialists. (Baron JA et al. Lancet; published online before print October 13, 2008.)

Good and bad news on hypertension in US

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EDT

A new report shows that more US adults have hypertension than ever before, and the increase is primarily due to the rising rates of obesity in recent times, say the NHLBI researchers. However, awareness, treatment, and control of blood pressure have also improved. Nevertheless, much work remains, specifically with certain subgroups, they say. (Cutler JA et al. Hypertension; published online October 13, 2008.)

India attempts to impose world's biggest smoking ban

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:30:39 EDT

The Indian government appears to have heeded the warnings of medical experts highlighting the immense problem of smoking in the country, with the introduction this week of a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.

Pfizer to drop development of drugs for hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and heart failure

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:00:34 EDT

UPDATED // Forbes reported the news online after obtaining an internal Pfizer memo.

Eating dark chocolate reduces CRP

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:30:32 EDT

A new Italian study has shown, for the first time, that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can significantly reduce CRP levels. (di Giuseppe R et al. J Nutr 2008; 138:1939-1945.)

"Consider" candesartan for diabetic retinopathy

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:45:01 EDT

Despite meeting none of the primary end points in the three DIRECT studies in diabetic retinopathy, the angiotensin receptor blocker candesartan could still be considered a treatment option in certain patients with this condition, say the trial authors and accompanying editorialists. (Chaturvedi N et al. Sjølie AK et al. Lancet; published online before print September 25, 2008.)

Passive smoking ups risk of PAD by 50%

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Chinese researchers have reported, for the first time, a link between exposure to passive smoke and peripheral arterial disease in a cohort of women who have never smoked. They call for urgent public-health measures to protect individuals from secondhand smoke. (He Y et al. Circulation: published online before print September 22, 2008.)