SALT: Cutting intake could save U.S. $18B a year in health costs Feb 23, 2010
About a third of adults have hypertension, and one reason that it's so common is that sodium consumption is so high, says Roland Sturm, a senior economist for the Rand Corp and one of the authors on the study which appears in the September/October issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion. It estimates that meeting national sodium guidelines could eliminate 11 million cases of high blood pressure and extend the lives of thousands of people each year. (USA Today -- News)
What Are Risk Factors For Heart Disease? Feb 23, 2010
High blood pressure (Hypertension). High blood cholesterol. (KIRO TV, WA)
Black women at increased risk for weakened heart muscle at childbirth Feb 23, 2010
Other risk factors include hypertension, being unmarried, smoking during pregnancy and having more than two previous pregnancies, but African-American race was the most important predictor, said Dr. Gentry, corresponding author on the study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Two previously published studies from Haiti and South Africa found a higher incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy than in other parts of the world but essentially all the participants were... (EurekAlert!)
Hypertension May Predict Dementia in Older Adults With Certain Cognitive Deficits Feb 23, 2010
"Although midlife hypertension has been confirmed as a risk factor for the development of dementia in late life, there have been conflicting findings about the role of late-life hypertension," the authors write as background information in the article ... "Because hypertension is a major risk factor for vascular brain diseases and vascular cognitive impairment, we postulated that the cognitive domain of dysfunction may be the crucial factor that determines the association between hypertension... (Science Daily)
Most test tube kids healthy Feb 22, 2010
These children do face an increased risk of some birth defects and of low birth weight, which is associated with obesity, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes later in life, the researchers said. Carmen Sapienza, a geneticist at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, noted that few of these test tube children are older than 30, so it's not known if they will be obese or have hypertension or other health problems at age 50 or older. (MSNBC -- Health)
Natural Remedies To Reduce High Blo... Feb 22, 2010
Natural Remedies To Reduce High Blood Pressure: Foods that Lower Hypertension ... Foods that Lower Hypertension ... High blood pressure or hypertension is defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mm of Hg- a systolic pressure above 140 and a diastolic pressure above 90 mm of Hg. (Suite101.com)
Do Frequent PSA Tests Reduce Cancer... Feb 22, 2010
For example, poor diet over many years often results in obesity, which heightens the risk of high cholesterol levels and hypertension. For this condition, statin drugs are often prescribed, which have recently be identified with an increased risk of prostate cancer. (Suite101.com)
Genetic health risks in children of assisted reproductive technology Feb 22, 2010
While the majority of these children are healthy and normal, as a group they are at greater risk of certain kinds of birth defects and being low birth weight, which is associated with obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes later in life. Carmen Sapienza, a geneticist at Temple University School of Medicine, studies the impact of the environment on genes by comparing one type of chromosome modification, called "DNA methylation" between children conceived in the traditional fashion with... (EurekAlert!)
Common gene variant may increase risk for a type of cardiac arrhythmia Feb 22, 2010
While AF is most commonly seen in older individuals with hypertension, heart failure or other forms of heart disease, about 10 percent of AF patients begin having symptoms when they are younger and have no other known cardiovascular disease, a condition called lone AF.. Patients with lone AF are more likely to have overt symptoms and to require treatment, which includes the use of blood-thinning drugs to prevent clots and other medications that slow heart rhythm. (EurekAlert!)
A 'D' a day keeps the doctor away (1) Feb 21, 2010
Low vitamin D is associated with depression, fatigue, osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune disease, cancers and chronic pain. Dosages vary. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Natural Herbs for Menopause Treatme... Feb 21, 2010
Licorice increases blood pressure and should not be used by individuals with hypertension. Sources. (Suite101.com)
MMA: 1Malaysia clinics in line with caring concept Feb 21, 2010
So far, the Government has set up 50 1Malaysia clinics in the urban areas to provide basic services like treating minor ailments and monitoring of diabetes and hypertension. These clinics are manned by hospital assistants and nurses and periodically supervised by doctors. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Earnings Flood Continues Monday Feb 21, 2010
Scientists have linked the condition to cardiac disease, diabetes, hypertension and. 02/19/2010 06:26 PM ET. (Investors Business Daily)
Salt central to a healthy Mediterranean diet Feb 20, 2010
The diet is so healthy that the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) used it as a model in its famous DASH Study (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which confirmed that the Mediterranean/DASH diet was healthier than the typical American diet and effectively reduced blood pressure. NHLBI then repeated the study to check the effect of salt. (Paragould Daily Press, AR)
Sepracor CEO resigns, takes job in N.C. Feb 20, 2010
Dainippon Sumitomo, which including Sepracor employs more than 7,000 people worldwide, markets a number of medications, including an antipsychotic called Lonasen and the hypertension medication Avapro. At the time of the sale, Dainippon Sumitomo said it hoped to use Sepracor s expertise to help it launch Lurasidone, an experimental schizophrenia treatment that was submitted to the FDA in December. (Boston Globe)
First lady's anti-obesity work promising Feb 19, 2010
For African Americans and Latinos living in underserved communities, this measure will prove vital in tackling their high obesity rates and the medical conditions they are more likely to develop, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. African American and Latino children who are obese have a 50 percent chance of developing diabetes, compared to 33 percent of all children between ages 5 and 17 who are overweight. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Birth weight on the decline in the U.S. Feb 19, 2010
So far, the reasons for the weight decline are unknown, and none of the factors examined by the researchers including maternal age, smoking, and hypertension could explain the new trend. Copyright 2010 Reuters. (MSNBC -- Health)
Does Obesity Rehab Work? Feb 19, 2010
She had high cholesterol, and her weight put her at risk for hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. By any measure, Fedorchalk was in poor health. (Time.com)
Shot in the Arm: Has the U.S. Invested Enough Stimulus Money in Prevention? Feb 18, 2010
Goldman, whose research has highlighted the per-person savings of avoiding preventable diseases such as hypertension, explains that increased prevention means that "people will have longer, more productive lives," he says, which translates into a more productive economy, as well. Many of the dividends of prevention both in health and economics however, will not be seen during the life spans of ARRA-sponsored projects. (Scientific American)
Small Renal Mass Feb 18, 2010
A 65-year-old man with a history of well-controlled hypertension presents for a follow-up visit after an incidental finding of a small mass in the right kidney on an abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan. (The scan had been ordered to evaluate pain in the lower quadrant, which resolved. (New England Journal of Medicine)
A Man with HIV Infection, Proteinuria, and Edema Feb 18, 2010
A 51-year-old man with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was seen in the nephrology clinic of this hospital because of proteinuria, edema, and hypertension. The patient had been in his usual state of health until approximately 4 weeks earlier, in early spring, when headache, nasal congestion, pressure behind his eyes, and a nonproductive cough developed, which he attributed to seasonal allergies. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Projected Effect of Dietary Salt Reductions on Future Cardiovascular Disease Feb 18, 2010
We estimated the rates and costs of cardiovascular disease in subgroups defined by age, sex, and race; compared the effects of salt reduction with those of other interventions intended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; and determined the cost-effectiveness of salt reduction as compared with the treatment of hypertension with medications ... Such an intervention would be cost-saving even if only a modest reduction of 1 g per day were achieved gradually between 2010 and 2019 and would... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Soccer Practice May Significantly Reduce Blood Pressure in Inactive People Feb 18, 2010
3, 2007) As many as 50 percent of overweight men and women with high blood pressure may have hypertension as a result of being overweight, researchers reported. About one in three American adults has high. (Science Daily)
Her story includes new heart, happy ending Feb 17, 2010
"Everything that happened after was a long-term progression of that heart weakness," said Dr. Mathier, who is director of the pulmonary hypertension program at the UPMC Cardiovascular Institute ... On Friday and Saturday, she will be on stage interacting with the dancers as Bodiography Contemporary Ballet presents "Heart (Function vs. Emotion)," a world premier at the Byham Theater, Downtown, inspired by patients with advanced heart disease or pulmonary hypertension. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Delta Dental buys Advantica EyeCare Feb 17, 2010
Many systemic diseases can be detected with regular oral and vision exams, including diabetes, hypertension and some cancers. This pairing enables us to support our clients with quality, affordable, specialized health benefits that improve the health of their employees while helping to control healthcare costs. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Know Your Heart-Healthy Numbers Feb 17, 2010
Medicine has generally been most concerned with excesses overweight, fever, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar, and the like. In recent years, this preoccupation has increased with studies showing that even the previous acceptable levels of all those measurements were too high. (Newsmax)
The DSM: How Psychiatrists Redefine 'Disordered' Feb 14, 2010
" 2. Define mental disorders along a continuum rather than as binary possibilities. When he spoke at a New York City DSM conference , Harvard provost Dr. Steven Hyman, a former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, argued that most mental disorders cannot be seen as discrete all-or-nothing illnesses like leukemia (which you either have or don't). Rather, he said, they should be seen as "continuous with normal," less like leukemia and more like hypertension. Hyman seems to have won... (Time.com)
Salt proves to be sneaky health threat Feb 14, 2010
Although salt is not the sole culprit, one in three Americans has high blood pressure and the number of deaths from hypertension rose by 48 percent from 1996 to 2006, according to the American Heart Association. A January study in the Journal of Medicine found that if the general U.S. population cut its daily sodium intake by about 3 grams, or half a teaspoon, it could save 44,000 to 92,000 lives a year and cut annual health care costs by $10 billion to $24 billion. (AZCentral)
Results show no health workers harmed by lead Feb 13, 2010
Recent research indicates that adults with even low lead blood levels can experience hypertension, anemia, impaired brain function, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. A lower blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter in children prompts public health interventions even though children can experience harmful effects at lower levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Role of Protein Pair in Obesity Regulation Feb 13, 2010
18, 2008) Obesity is a worldwide health problem directly linked to several diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Resistin is a cysteine-rich hormone mainly secreted by adipose tissues and may form. (Science Daily)
Migraine May Double Risk of Heart Attack Feb 13, 2010
The data also shows that people with migraine were about 50 percent more likely than controls to have diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol, all well-known cardiovascular risk factors. The study found that these risk factors may contribute -- but do not fully explain -- the increased risk of heart attack and stroke in persons with migraine. (Science Daily)
Compound shows promise against intractable heart failure Feb 12, 2010
Hypertension is the cause in the overwhelming majority of diastolic heart failure cases. "We know from previous studies that nitric oxide (NO) is necessary for blood vessel relaxation," said Dudley, "and that hypertension can lead to a decrease of NO in blood vessels." ... "We decided to try thinking of the heart as a huge blood vessel that might also be unable to make the NO it needed due to long-term hypertension, and see if adding BH4 could make a difference," said Dudley. (EurekAlert!)
Query corner: Insurance Feb 12, 2010
National Insurance Parivar (floater) plan offers pre-existing diseases like diabetes and hypertension covered from the inception of the policy on payment of an additional premium. You can choose between both the above plans. (India Times)
Malaria still number one OPD cases in Tema- Health Directorate Feb 12, 2010
The top 10 OPD cases included Malaria, Hypertension, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), Skin Diseases and Ulcers, as well as pregnancy-related sicknesses ... The Health Information Officer again said there was a slight decrease in Hypertension, which had ... The records, he said, showed that last year, a total of 27,493 Hypertension cases were reported at the. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Premature Death Could Await Obese Kids Feb 11, 2010
"We do not know what the impact is of childhood obesity, hyperglycemia and hypertension on mortality rates later in life," he noted. "Nor do we know by how many years these childhood risk factors shorten life span.". (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Dark Chocolate Chases Wrinkles Feb 11, 2010
Modern medicine started taking chocolate seriously in 1997, when a Harvard professor discovered that high-flavanol cocoa relaxes the blood vessels, thereby acting as a protectant against heart disease and hypertension. Now scientists at European Dermatology London say a few squares of high-flavanol chocolate a day helps prevent wrinkles caused by UV rays from the sun, and may even lower the risk of skin cancer. (Newsmax)
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors for Pulmonary Hypertension Feb 11, 2010
To the Editor: In their review of the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (Nov. 5 issue),1 Archer and Michelakis report that some patients who actually have secondary pulmonary hypertension as a result of left ventricular dysfunction receive a misdiagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension and that their consequent exposure to vasodilatators was associated with clinical worsening early after initiation of treatment ... The authors... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Hazel Smith Bissette Feb 11, 2010
The family would like to extend special thanks to Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, Community Home Health & Hospice, Tarheel Home Health, the staff at Halifax Regional Medical Center, the Roanoke Rapids Dialysis Center, Roanoke Valley Hypertension and Halifax Medical Specialists. Online condolences may be made at. (Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, NC)
Poor Hand-Grip Strength Associated With Poor Survival Feb 10, 2010
19, 2006) Avoiding health risk factors in midlife such as smoking, being overweight, excessive drinking and hypertension is associated with a longer and healthier life in men, according to a study in the Nov.. (Apr. (Science Daily)
Herbal stimulant 'to be banned' Feb 10, 2010
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Tuesday, 30 December, 2003, 18:02 GMT. (Yahoo News -- Ephedra)
Danvers start-up coaches clients on making healthier choices Feb 10, 2010
A Boston-area start-up wants to prove that notion true, that you can decrease the risk of diabetes and hypertension by making the right choices at the table. Which costs more: healthy food or chronic disease. (Boston Globe)
Early life stress may predict cardiovascular disease Feb 10, 2010
"We think early life stress increases sensitivity to a hormone known to increase your blood pressure and increases your cardiovascular risk in adult life," said Dr. Jennifer Pollock, biochemist in the Vascular Biology Center at the Medical College of Georgia and corresponding author on the study published online in Hypertension. The studies in a proven model of chronic behavioral stress separating rat pups from their mother three hours daily for two weeks showed no long-term impact on key... (EurekAlert!)
For Lower Blood Pressure, Low-Carb Diet May Be Best Feb 10, 2010
Two other studies in the same issue of the journal look at the effectiveness of the anti-hypertension DASH diet and a physician-supervised plan ... Researchers compared the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet alone and in combination with exercise and weight management on blood pressure. (MEDLINEplus)
High Blood Pressure May Predict Dementia in Some Seniors Feb 10, 2010
7 percent among those with high blood pressure compared to 28 percent for those without high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension. "We show herein that the presence of hypertension predicts progression to dementia in a subgroup of about one-third of subjects with cognitive impairment, no dementia," wrote the researchers at the University of Western Ontario in Canada ... "Control of hypertension in this population could decrease by one-half the projected 50-percent five-year rate of... (MEDLINEplus)
Consumption of fruit and vegetables among elderly people: a cross sectional study from Iran Feb 10, 2010
Furthermore, previous studies have shown strong negative relationships between FV intake and obesity [], diabetes [] and hypertension. Despite all these benefits, people do not properly follow the minimum recommended consumption of five servings of FV per day. (Nutrition Journal)
Abbott NW gets $5M grant to expand study Feb 9, 2010
Minneapolis-based Abbott Northwestern has been conducting the study on 332 patients who have diabetes, hypertension or heart failure. Before the study, 33 percent of these patients weren t meeting their clinical goals. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Death pits family vs. Emory Feb 9, 2010
The disorder has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and obesity, according to the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals. Emory said Harris was an outpatient in a sleep study performed on "medically stable patients who are observed sleeping by trained providers." The tests are considered safe. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Fibroids May Raise Risk of Stillbirth Feb 9, 2010
The increased risk persisted even after the researchers adjusted for risk factors such as black race, tobacco exposure, chronic hypertension and pregestational diabetes. "Our results showed that women with a combination of fibroids and fetal growth restriction were at two-and-a-half times the risk of having a stillbirth, though the absolute risk remained rare," study co-author Dr. Alison G. Cahill said in the news release. (MEDLINEplus)
JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 8, 2010 Feb 9, 2010
They also have pulmonary hypertension (i ... Further, as loss of one copy of the gene responsible for generating HIF-2-alpha in mice that model Chuvash polycythemia suppressed both the polycythemia and pulmonary hypertension, the authors suggest that inhibiting HIF-2-alpha might provide a new approach to treat Chuvash disease ... TITLE: The von Hippel-Lindau Chuvash mutation promotes pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis in mice. (EurekAlert!)
Promising Results Shown for Kidney Cancer Drug Feb 9, 2010
Common side effects of pazopanib included diarrhea (52 percent), hypertension (40 percent), hair color changes (38 percent), nausea (26 percent), weight loss (22 percent) and vomiting (21 percent). Email or share this story. (Science Daily)
Hypertension may predict dementia in older adults with certain cognitive deficits Feb 9, 2010
"Although midlife hypertension has been confirmed as a risk factor for the development of dementia in late life, there have been conflicting findings about the role of late-life hypertension," the authors write as background information in the article ... "Because hypertension is a major risk factor for vascular brain diseases and vascular cognitive impairment, we postulated that the cognitive domain of dysfunction may be the crucial factor that determines the association between hypertension... (EurekAlert!)
10 Ways You Can Help Prevent Stroke Feb 9, 2010
If one of your parents has been diagnosed with prehypertension (120/80 mm Hg to 139/89 mm Hg) or hypertension (140/90 or higher), his blood pressure should be treated. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate medications, but your parent's blood pressure needs regular monitoring. (KIRO TV, WA)
Causes and prevention of nosebleeds Feb 8, 2010
While the vast majority of nosebleeds are harmless, Krishnamurthy says that in rare instances they can be a sign of an underlying health problem such as high blood pressure, though no one knows exactly why hypertension causes the nose to bleed. They can also be a symptom of a more serious bleeding disorder, but in these cases nosebleeds are usually accompanied by other symptoms like bleeding gums and bruising. (Boston Globe)
Put health costs on a diet Feb 8, 2010
Global payments with shrinking caps on spending increases could be the Rx for health care s chronic cost hypertension. Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
Study: Cutting Salt Can Have Big Health Benefits Feb 8, 2010
Even more surprising, cutting salt by 3 g per day was as effective in reducing death rates among people with hypertension as taking medication to control blood pressure. It's enough to prevent you from reaching for the salt shaker at your next meal, but unfortunately, it may not be that easy to keep sodium levels in check. (Time.com)
Alumni respond to call for Haitian relief Feb 8, 2010
We will have to address all the other healthcare needs that a community has, like delivering babies and hypertension. Pennino said his team is lucky to have the resources in Haiti already set in place by Notre Dame s Haiti Program. (The Observer, IN)
Ed Carter (from left), of Lake City, June Carter, Florida Department of Transportation safety and health specialist, and Allen Pope, of Lake City, discuss proper health choices at the Columbia County Recreation Departments annual Community Health and Wellness Fair Saturday. More than a dozen local health care providers and organizations were in attendance at the fair providing free health screenings and free health information. LEANNE TYO/Lake City Reporter Feb 8, 2010
Information on disease management strategies for back pain, asthma, diabetes, cancer, obesity and hypertension also was available. It is so important that people are aware of early screenings and detection, said Mario Coppock, Columbia County Recreation director. (Lake City Reporter, FL)
Honeymoon put on hold for Haiti Local doctors, nurse and paramedic treat hundreds in dire need on mission trip to Haiti Feb 7, 2010
" The doctors, interpreters and support staff were sent on the mission trip by Grace Church of Fredericksburg, which for years has worked with Siloe Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince to provide continuing medical care through a clinic there. Members of the medical team have made trips before, and have helped make great strides in decreasing infant mortality and improving care for long-term health issues such as hypertension and diabetes. "But this time, we asked the people who have been trained... (Fredericksburg.com, VA)
More blood pressure worry: It is linked to dementia Feb 7, 2010
In a flurry of new research, scientists scanned people's brains to show hypertension fuels a kind of scarring linked to later development of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias ... The evidence is strong enough that the National Institutes of Health soon will begin enrolling thousands of hypertension sufferers in a major study to see if aggressive treatment pushing blood pressure lower than currently recommended better protects not just their hearts but their brains ... "If you look ... for... (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Simple Test Can Help Predict and Diagnose Preeclampsia Feb 6, 2010
2, 2009) Clues to the cause of pre-eclampsia, a common, but serious hypertension complication of pregnancy that has puzzled doctors and researchers for decades, point to proteins that misfold and aggregate ... 15, 2005) Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found that specific substances in the urine of pregnant women could serve as a screening/diagnostic tool for preeclampsia (hypertension and proteinuria ... 3, 2009) Chronic hypertension, diabetes and blood clots are more likely in... (Science Daily)
Study finds higher risk of stillbirth in women with fibroids Feb 6, 2010
7) even after adjusting for factors including black race, tobacco exposure, chronic hypertension, and pregestational diabetes. In subgroup analysis, the risk relationship between fibroids and IUFD only persisted within the IUGR subgroup. (EurekAlert!)
Journals Can Help You Track Your Body Feb 6, 2010
Blood pressure -- Unless you have a history of hypertension, you should have your blood pressure checked once a week, at about the same time of day, because blood pressure fluctuates with rest, stress and activity. It's also best to use the same type of device consistently. (Click2Houston, TX)
Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based intervention for improving patient adherence to antihypertensives: a randomized controlled trial Feb 6, 2010
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. (BioMed Central)
County must lower lead levels in health building Feb 6, 2010
In children, such exposure can cause damage to developing nervous systems, loss of IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems, and recent research shows adults can also develop health problems, including hypertension, high blood pressure, headaches, reproductive problems, nerve disorders and memory loss. Don Hopey: or 412-263-1983. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Rick Badie's Gwinnett: Hope Clinic lives up to name Feb 6, 2010
Like the Hope Clinic, they d treat diabetes, hypertension and cardiac disease. Our uninsured population in this county is a community problem, not a government problem, he told me. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)