Self-Management for Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Two interventions helped patients reach blood pressure goals.
Women and Heart Disease: More Work to Be Done
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In recent years, in-hospital MI mortality has improved but MI incidence has risen.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 3, 2009
Covering:
Towfighi A et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Oct 26; 169:1762
Vaccarino V et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Oct 26; 169:1767
Should Hypertensive Patients Take Their Aspirin at Night?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Data from a small, brief, randomized trial suggest yes, although significant effects on actual blood pressure levels were not found.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
December 2, 2009
Covering:
Snoep JD et al., Hypertension 2009 Nov; 54:1136
Iron Status and Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In patients with altitude-induced hypoxia, iron availability had a significant effect on pulmonary artery pressure.
Endothelin-Receptor Blockade: New Approach to Resistant Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mean blood pressure dropped when darusentan was added to optimal therapy, but additional diuresis often was required.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
November 17, 2009
Covering:
Weber MA et al., Lancet 2009 Oct 24; 374:1423
A Confused Patient
Neurology Case History
Free
A case description and diagnosis and an expert's discussion
Revascularization Is Ineffective for Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
This procedure conferred substantial risk without clinical benefit.
Price of Nonadherence to Antihypertensive Medications
General Medicine Summary and Comment
High adherers had a significantly lower risk for cardiovascular disease.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
November 10, 2009
Covering:
Mazzaglia G et al., Circulation 2009 Oct 20; 120:1598
Chobanian AV., Circulation 2009 Oct 20; 120:1558
Intensive Blood Pressure Control Slows Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Children
The renoprotective effect of blood pressure control is independent of ACE inhibition.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
October 21, 2009
Covering:
The ESCAPE Trial Group., N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 22; 361:1639
Ingelfinger JR., N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 22; 361:1701
Primary Snoring Is Not Necessarily Benign in Children
Primary snoring was associated with elevated blood pressure.
HIV-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Defies ART
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
A large case series suggests that the prognosis of PAH is not dramatically altered by effective combination antiretroviral therapy.
Resistant Hypertension: Is There a Role for a New Drug?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An endothelin antagonist performed well in a randomized trial, but much research remains to be done.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
October 7, 2009
Covering:
Weber MA et al., Lancet 2009 Sep 14
Williams B., Lancet 2009 Sep 14
Treating Resistant Hypertension: Cut Out the Salt
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a small randomized crossover study, a low-salt diet had dramatic effects on blood pressure.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
September 23, 2009
Covering:
Pimenta E et al., Hypertension 2009 Sep; 54:475
High Blood Pressure and Dementia: New Data
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a large observational study, increased DBP correlated with increased odds of dementia.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
September 23, 2009
Covering:
Tsivgoulis G et al., Neurology 2009 Aug 25; 73:589
Is 140/90 Low Enough for Nondiabetic Hypertensive Patients?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A study supports a more aggressive approach to BP reduction.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 27, 2009
Covering:
Verdecchia P et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 15; 374:525
Albumin Excretion and Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A newly identified independent risk factor warrants further study.
The Hypertension–Dementia Connection: A Chance to Make a Difference?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
What is the effect of treating hypertension on the incidence of dementia or the development of Alzheimer pathology?
By David A. Drachman, MD
August 25, 2009
Covering:
Hoffman LB et al., Neurology 2009 May 19; 72:1720
Haag MDM et al., Neurology 2009 May 19; 72:1727
Update on Restless Legs Syndrome and Vascular Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A review of the evidence highlights an association, but causality remains uncertain.
By Kapil Sethi, MD
August 25, 2009
Covering:
Walters AS and Rye DB., Sleep 2009 May 1; 32:589
To Attenuate Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, Start with Lifestyle
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Healthy lifestyles were associated with lower risk for heart failure in men and hypertension in women; obesity was the strongest risk factor for hypertension.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 30, 2009
Covering:
Djoussé L et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:394
Forman JP et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:401
Active Commuting and Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Walking or biking to work is associated with some favorable risk markers, but whether these practices confer a benefit is unclear.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In most cases, hypertension likely results from a complex interplay of various factors.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 7, 2009
Covering:
O’Connor GT et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jun 15; 179:1159
Cardiac Risk Factors in NFL Players
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Cardiac risk profiles are similar to that of men in the general population, but NFL players have higher incidences of hypertension and prehypertension.
BP-Lowering Drugs and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
All five classes of BP-lowering drugs were effective, regardless of patients’ histories.
More Tofu, Please?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a small randomized, controlled study, a low-carbohydrate, plant-based diet improved lipid measures more than a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
June 24, 2009
Covering:
Jenkins DJA et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 8; 169:1046
Tuttle KR and Milton JE., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 8; 169:1027
Getting Enough Sleep Might Lower Your Blood Pressure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a prospective, observational study, less sleep and less-sustained sleep were associated with higher blood pressure.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
June 24, 2009
Covering:
Knutson KL et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 8; 169:1055
