All Hypertension Articles

U.S. researchers say an implantable device may be a cost-effective way to treat high blood pressure and its effects. The device, called Rheos, is being tested at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York on drug-resistant hypertension patients. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension, are based on data from two large population-based studies that Read more...

If you think you function fine on just five or six hours a sleep a night, you're deluding yourself--according to a number of studies--but okay. However, there are the physical consequences to be paid for lack of sleep. We already know it ups the likelihood of obesity and diabetes, but now researchers have linked less sleep in midlife with high (and worsening) blood pressure. In the June 8th Read more...

Rocksprings, Texas, resident Henry Greistmann, 67, recently went to his doctor for a check on his ears. When he told the doctor he got dizzy when he looked up at the ceiling, he was sent to a balance and dizziness clinic hosted by four local physicians. The clinic, held every other Wednesday, pulls the expertise of a local audiologist, Jeff Sirianni; internal medicine specialist, Michael Read more...

Everyone aged 55 and over should be taking drugs to lower their blood pressure, even if their current reading is normal, an expert said. Publishing a review of almost 150 studies, Professor Malcolm Law said the drugs lowered the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke, regardless of somebody's current reading. He and colleagues published their findings from the largest review yet Read more...

People who have high blood pressure or heart disease should avoid consuming energy drinks, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit recommend. Researchers found that healthy adults who drank two cans a day of a popular energy drink experienced an increase in their blood pressure and heart rate but no significant changes in EKG measurements were reported. Lead author James Kalus, Read more...

Many people expect their blood pressure to be high in the doctor's office. After all, "it's the doctor's office, of course my blood pressure is high," implying that the numbers simply reflect anxiety. What most people don't realize is that the studies linking high blood pressure with heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or blindness are based on in-office measurements. While you don't Read more...

Patients with high blood pressure who took a diuretic and a potassium-sparing drug, reduced cardiac mortality by 40 percent, U.S. researchers said. The current U.S. hypertension treatment guidelines recommend using a thiazide diuretic -- a drug that increases the volume of urine -- alone as the initial drug therapy for high blood pressure, senior author Dr. John Oates said. The Read more...

(PPHN) by Diana KohnleDefinitionPersistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) of the newborn is a relatively rare, yet potentially very serious condition. It can cause both immediate and long-term complications and health concerns. PPHN affects approximately one in every 500-1500 births.When a baby is in the womb, the oxygen is supplied through the umbilical cord. After birth, the baby's system should Read more...

(Essential Hypertension)Controlling Your High Blood PressureDefinition High blood pressure is abnormally high blood pressure with no known cause. Blood pressure measurements are read as two numbers. The higher number is called the systolic pressure. The lower number is called the diastolic pressure. Normal systolic pressure is 120 or less, and normal diastolic blood pressure is 80 or less. High Read more...

by Amy Scholten, MPH Fifty million adults in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure), a condition associated with an increased risk of death and disability from heart disease , stroke , congestive heart failure , and end-stage renal disease. For most people, high blood pressure is marked by a systolic blood pressure (higher number) at or above 140 mmHg or diastolic blood Read more...

As told to Jennifer Hellwig, MS, RD Ellen is a 59-year-old medical technician from Massachusetts. She has been managing hypertension for nine years. What was your first sign that something was wrong? What symptoms did you experience? I’ve never had any symptoms of high blood pressure. But I’ve always been very prudent about getting regular medical checkups and having my blood pressure Read more...

by Karen Schroeder, MS, RD On May 29, 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker that has significantly lowered both systolic and diastolic levels (the two values that make up a blood pressure reading) in clinical studies. Angiotensin II is a Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource Guide To help reduce your risk of developing hypertension, follow these guidelines: If you are overweight, lose weight.Avoid heavy alcohol use.If you smoke, quit.Eat a heart-healthy diet , which includes: DASH diet (Dietary Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource GuideThe goal of treating hypertension is to reduce blood pressure to within the normal range and maintain it there while keeping any adverse effects of medical treatment to a minimum. The main goal is to avoid and reduce the Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource GuideYou have a unique medical history. Therefore, it is essential to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and/or experience with hypertension. By talking openly and regularly with Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource GuideHigh blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms, and this is why it may go undiagnosed if unchecked. Your organs and tissues can be damaged by high blood pressure without feeling any symptoms. Occasionally, if blood Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource GuideThe purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.Screening TestsBlood Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource GuideA risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.It is possible to develop hypertension with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource GuideAmerican Heart AssociationAddress:7272 Greenville AvenueDallas, TX 75231Phone:1-800-AHA-USA-1 (1-800-242-8721)Internet Address:http://www.americanheart.org/Description of services provided:The American Heart Association Read more...

by Debra Wood, RNMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Hypertension | Resource Guide High blood pressure is often diagnosed during a visit to your healthcare provider. Blood pressure is measured using a cuff around your arm and a device called a sphygmomanometer. Your healthcare provider may ask you to Read more...