Hypertension

Hypertension – Persistently high arterial blood pressure. Hypertension may have no known cause (essential or idiopathic hypertension) or be associated with other primary diseases (secondary hypertension). This condition is considered a risk factor for the development of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure

Here comes the sun to lower your blood pressure – Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure and thus cut the risk of heart attack and stroke, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests. Research carried out at the Universities of Southampton and Edinburgh shows that sunlight alters levels of the small messenger molecule, nitric oxide (NO) in the skin and blood, reducing blood pressure.

A cup of beetroot juice daily lowers blood pressure

Drinking cup of beetroot juice daily may help lower blood pressure – A cup of beetroot juice a day may help reduce your blood pressure, revealed researchers. People with high blood pressure who drank about 8 ounces of beetroot juice experienced a decrease in blood pressure of about 10 mm Hg. But the preliminary findings don’t yet suggest that supplementing your diet with beetroot juice benefits your health.

Less sodium in diet may save thousands of lives

Reducing sodium consumption could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives in the United States over 10 years. — Americans consume about 3,600 mg of sodium per day ? more than twice the recommended limit. – Less sodium in the U.S. diet could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives over 10 years, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.

High blood pressure risk rising in US kids

More hospitalizations, higher charges, for kids with high blood pressure – Hospitalizations for children with high blood pressure and related charges dramatically increased during 10 years ending in 2006, according to a study published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. This nationally-based study is the first in which researchers examined hypertension hospitalizations in children.

Blood pressure is to be checked in both arms

2-arm blood pressure check indicator for risk from heart disease or death – Doctors ‘should check blood pressure on both arms’ – Measuring blood pressure in both the right and left arm may be an effective way of catching a silent but serious disease of the blood vessels – peripheral artery disease. So, next time you get your blood pressure checked, ask your health provider to take measurements on both arms.

Microwaved purple potatoes may reduce BP in obese

Microwaved purple potatoes may reduce blood pressure in people with obesity and high blood pressure – A couple servings of spuds a day reduces blood pressure almost as much as oatmeal without causing weight gain, revealed by researchers.

New guideline on treatment of high blood pressure

Radical change in blood pressure diagnosis and treatment – University of Leicester professor chairs major new guideline from NICE on the treatment of high blood pressure – High blood pressure patients should have the diagnosis confirmed at home, according to new guidelines. The way blood pressure is diagnosed and treated is set to be revolutionised following new guidelines for the medical profession issued by NICE and developed in conjunction with the British Hypertension Society (BHS).