Non-invasive eye test for multiple diseases to advance under $4.8M NIH award

Researchers at the IU School of Optometry and IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering will advance next-generation technology that uses a simple eye scan to assist in the early detection of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and heart disease.

Lactic Acid Helps Blood Vessels Relax, Could Improve Muscle and Heart Health

A new study in rats shows that lactate, a substance found in the muscles, initiates a cascade of actions in the muscles that helps blood vessels relax. The surprising results are published ahead of print in the journal Function.

Johns Hopkins Medicine Study Finds Commonly Used Arm Positions Can Substantially Overestimate Blood Pressure Readings

Investigators say failing to follow arm support guidelines during BP screening could have significant clinical impact

New progress in wearable blood pressure monitoring enabled by flexible electronics and machine learning

Wearable cuffless blood pressure monitoring is expected to overcome the discomfort caused to patients by commonly used cuff sphygmomanometers in clinical settings. Flexible electronics and machine learning provide new impetus for the development of wearable cuffless blood pressure monitoring, bringing continuous and comfortable blood pressure monitoring to patients.

Uncontrolled Hypertension: The Old ‘Silent Killer’ is Alive and Well

High blood pressure affects about 45% of U.S. adults. In the 1970s, only about 50% of patients were aware of their hypertension. Today, 54% are aware of their high blood pressure, 40% are actively treated and 21% are actively controlled. As such, researchers alert health care providers that the old “silent killer” is alive and well.

Blood pressure high for years? Beware of stroke risk

Years of high systolic blood pressure are linked to a greater risk for the two most common types of stroke. The results suggest that early diagnosis and sustained control of high blood pressure over the lifespan are critical to preventing stroke, especially in Black and Hispanic patients who are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension.

Exercise More, Sit Less to Manage Frailty and Hypertension Risk in Aging

A new study of middle-age and older adults looks at sex differences in frailty levels and their link with heart health. The findings suggest that moving your body more through regular exercise and sitting less can help keep both heart disease and frailty at bay as we age.

Higher Calcium and Zinc Intake Linked with Healthier Pregnancy Outcomes

People with higher intakes of calcium and zinc in the three months before they conceived were significantly less likely to suffer hypertensive disorders during their pregnancy compared with those who had lower intakes of these essential minerals, according to new research.

Vigorous Exercise May Preserve Cognition in High-Risk Patients With Hypertension

People with high blood pressure have a higher risk of cognitive impairment, including dementia, but a new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that engaging in vigorous physical activity more than once a week can lower that risk.

Women’s Health Month: Artificial Intelligence Can Improve OB-GYN Care

Cedars-Sinai investigators are using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce serious health risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth and improve screening for some gynecological cancers.

Transplant doctor discusses how living kidney donors can help those in need of a transplant.

Eric Martinez, MD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, discusses how living kidney donors can help those in need of a transplant.  What You Need to Know: Risk factors that could lead to kidney transplant include high blood pressure and…

Long-term survivors of childhood cancer at higher risk of death following heart issues; threshold for treating risk factors should be lower

New research out of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and VCU Health Pauley Heart Center indicates that survivors of childhood cancer are at a significantly higher risk of death following a major cardiovascular event — including heart failure, heart attack or stroke — than the general public.

Doctors discusses recent study about blood pressure and its impacts on heart attacks and strokes

Marc Elieson, MD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, discusses recent study about blood pressure and its impacts on heart attacks and strokes. What You Need to Know: People with high systolic numbers were found more at risk for heart…

Postpartum heart risk: Tips for young moms who may be unaware of long-term dangers

Young women with healthy hearts may be unaware they face elevated risks of developing heart disorders after becoming pregnant. Even worse, the issue may go undetected for years after giving birth because symptoms may mimic those of pregnancy. Dr. Rina…

New weight loss medication may help lower blood pressure in adults with obesity

DALLAS, Feb. 5, 2024 —The new weight loss medication tirzepatide significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) for nearly 500 adults with obesity who took the medication for about eight months, according to new research published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.

Hispanics Are Being Impacted By Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Paula Duran, MD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, answers the most common patient questions and reacts to the latest medical research impacting the Hispanic population. Why do Hispanics have a high incidence of diabetes and subsequent kidney disease? Is…

High blood pressure in males in late adolescence associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events later in life

A study of more than one million Swedish men followed for up to 50 years found that higher blood pressure (BP) at age 18 was associated with an increased risk for major cardiovascular events later in life, including heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, and mortality.

MD Anderson Research Highlights for August 30, 2023

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back.
Recent developments include a novel computational tool to detect single base pair DNA changes in single-cell sequencing data, a potential target to treat hypertension caused by drugs commonly used in organ transplants, further insights into the steps involved in genetic recombination, a novel treatment target for a subset of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a combination therapy that improves outcomes in certain patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and a target for treating prolonged cytopenia in patients with relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Cedars-Sinai Experts Available to Discuss Safety, Benefits of Using Medications to Lose Weight

The science is unclear on exactly why an increasingly popular new class of federally approved diabetes and obesity medications work, but they do know that they are effective at helping people lose weight.

Enzyme in T Cells Worsens Salt-sensitive Hypertension and Related Kidney Damage

Article title: Functional NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in T cells amplifies salt-sensitive hypertension and associated renal damage Authors: Samuel D. Walton, John Henry Dasinger, Emily C. Burns, Mary Cherian-Shaw, Justine M. Abais-Battad, David L. Mattson From the authors: “The results…

Mitochondrial Changes Linked to High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

A new study provides evidence for the possibility that mitochondrial dysregulation could be a contributing factor in the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study is published in Physiological Genomics. It was chosen as an APSselect article for July.

Alcohol Use, Even at Low Levels, Increases Risk of Developing Disease

Even low levels of alcohol use can increase the likelihood of developing diseases like cancer and heart disease. A systematic review of studies of the relationship between alcohol use and risk of disease published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that disease risk increases as alcohol use increases and high levels of alcohol use have clear detrimental health effects. While lower-level alcohol use can be protective against certain diseases, it can have significant adverse health effects for many other diseases. The authors urge greater awareness that any level of alcohol use can increase a person’s risk of developing serious, even fatal, diseases.

New discoveries about where atherosclerotic plaques rupture can lead to preventive treatments

A common cause of myocardial infarction and stroke is the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. The exact location of plaque ruptures has previously been unknown, but now researchers at Lund University have mapped this. The research team has also identified an enzyme, a marker, that they hope will help predict who is at risk of having a myocardial infarction or a stroke due to a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque.

Exercise May Prevent Stress-induced Hypertension through Regulation of Brain-bone Marrow Interaction

Article title: Impact of exercise on brain-bone marrow interactions in chronic stress: potential mechanisms preventing stress-induced hypertension Authors: Thu Van Nguyen, Ko Yamanaka, Keisuke Tomita, Jasenka Zubcevic, Sabine S. S. Gouraud,  Hidefumi Waki From the authors: “Our findings provide new…

High blood pressure in your 30s is associated with worse brain health in your 70s

New research from the UC Davis School of Medicine shows high blood pressure in early adulthood is associated with worse brain health in late life — especially for men. The results suggest that treating hypertension in young and middle-aged adults may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Remote blood pressure management program enhanced care during pandemic

New research has found that a remote hypertension program, operated by Mass General Brigham since 2019, successfully supported patients through the pandemic in achieving their blood pressure goals, with patients who enrolled during the pandemic reaching and maintaining their goal blood pressures an average of two months earlier than in the pre-pandemic period.