t’s a standard part of any medical visit. Someone, typically a nurse, wraps a cuff around your arm and asks you to sit quietly while the cuff squeezes to the point of discomfort, then slowly eases its grip. Some numbers get jotted down in your chart. “136 over 79.” What does that even mean? “The… Continue reading Blood pressure: What do the numbers mean and why do they matter?
Tag: blood pressure
Who is At Risk for Hypertension, the Medical Term for High Blood Pressure?
Sometimes national statistics are so shocking that people have to stop and take notice. This is certainly the case for high blood pressure, which affects nearly half of all adults in the United States—only a quarter of whom have the condition under control, according to cardiologist Dr. Robert Segal, the founder of Manhattan Cardiology, Medical… Continue reading Who is At Risk for Hypertension, the Medical Term for High Blood Pressure?
Experts Concerned about Rise in Hypertension Cases
Although access to medicine for controlling blood pressure has broadened, the number of Americans with uncontrolled hypertension is alarming, especially in communities of color, health officials said. “The latest research published in JAMA [the Journal of the American Medical Association] showing that a greater proportion of Americans, particularly communities of color, were living with uncontrolled… Continue reading Experts Concerned about Rise in Hypertension Cases
Five Ways to Reduce Stroke Risk
Strokes don’t discriminate — they can happen to anyone, at any age. And they don’t stop because of a pandemic. About one in four people worldwide have a stroke — the world’s No. 2 killer and a leading cause of disability. But up to 80% may be prevented. That’s why the American Stroke Association (ASA),… Continue reading Five Ways to Reduce Stroke Risk
High Blood Pressure Is Out of Control in America
Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and about 75% of those with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke and the most significant controllable risk factor for these conditions. It is also a contributing factor for worst outcomes for… Continue reading High Blood Pressure Is Out of Control in America
High Blood Pressure Awareness and Treatment Declining
Nearly half of adults in the U.S. live with high blood pressure, also called hypertension. It is currently defined as having a blood pressure reading of at least 130/80 mm Hg or taking blood pressure medications for the condition. High blood pressure is the main risk factor for stroke. It can also contribute to other… Continue reading High Blood Pressure Awareness and Treatment Declining
Heart Disease and U.S.Soldiers
Active-duty Army personnel have worse cardiovascular health than civilians of similar ages, a surprising new study has found. Just 30 percent of soldiers had ideal blood pressure, compared to 55 percent of civilians, researchers reported in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Only a third of both soldiers and civilians weighed an ideal amount.… Continue reading Heart Disease and U.S.Soldiers
4 Ways A Good Smile Improves Your Life
Many people go to the dentist not just because they want good oral health, but also because having a great smile is a good confidence booster and makes them likelier to smile more often. And it impacts those who see that dazzling smile. Every day we see people who tell us about how their friends,… Continue reading 4 Ways A Good Smile Improves Your Life
Very Few People Meet Standards for Metabolic Health
Even among people of normal weight, the prevalence of metabolic health in U.S. adults is extremely low, with just about one in eight Americans meeting the standards for the condition. A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Public Health called the incidence of metabolic health in U.S. adults… Continue reading Very Few People Meet Standards for Metabolic Health
Is the Rise in Blood Pressure With Age a Consequence of the Western Lifestyle?
Has your blood pressure gone up as you’ve gotten older? If so, you’re far from alone. In fact there’s a common belief in cardiology is that blood pressure (BP) increases with age. However, studies find little evidence of that among non-Western adults in isolated communities. But does the association between age and BP differ in two isolated… Continue reading Is the Rise in Blood Pressure With Age a Consequence of the Western Lifestyle?
Parkinson’s Patients: The Benefits of Singing
For people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, singing may provide benefits beyond improving respiratory and swallow control. The results, from a pilot study by Iowa State researchers, showed improvements in patients’ mood and motor symptoms, as well as reduced physiological indicators of stress. Elizabeth Stegemöller, an assistant professor of kinesiology, cautioned that the data is preliminary,… Continue reading Parkinson’s Patients: The Benefits of Singing
Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths Hitting Middle-Aged Adults in Large Numbers
Despite being largely preventable, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and other related conditions caused 2.2 million hospitalizations in 2016, resulting in $32.7 billion in costs and 415,000 deaths, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these events were in adults ages 35-64, with over 775,000 hospitalizations and 75,000 deaths… Continue reading Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths Hitting Middle-Aged Adults in Large Numbers
Yo-Yo Dieting Raises Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
Fluctuations in weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and/or blood sugar levels in otherwise healthy people may be associated with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death from any cause compared to people with more stable readings, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. This is the first study to suggest… Continue reading Yo-Yo Dieting Raises Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
Telemedicine Increases Life Expectancy for Some Heart Patients
Telemedicine management of heart-failure patients reduces hospitalizations, prolongs life and works equally well in rural and urban settings, European investigators say. Results from the study by researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin were published in the journal The Lancet. As part of a research and development project entitled “Health Region of the Future North Brandenburg… Continue reading Telemedicine Increases Life Expectancy for Some Heart Patients
“Portfolio Diet” Lowers Many Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Researchers have discovered that the portfolio diet, an eating plan shown to lower cholesterol levels, also reduces other cardiovascular-disease risk factors including blood pressure, triglycerides and inflammation. In addition to reducing LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol by about 30 per cent when accompanied by a low-saturated fat diet — a level comparable to medications — the… Continue reading “Portfolio Diet” Lowers Many Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Multivitamins Do Not Promote Cardiovascular Health
Taking multivitamin and mineral supplements does not prevent heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular death, according to a new analysis of 18 studies published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal. “We meticulously evaluated the body of scientific evidence,” said study lead author Joonseok Kim, M.D., assistant professor of cardiology in the… Continue reading Multivitamins Do Not Promote Cardiovascular Health
Reducing Risks of Falls and Injuries
Every second of every day, an older adult falls. While most incur only bumps and bruises, more than seven million sustain injuries serious enough to require medical attention or hospitalization. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths among adults 65 years and older – and the risk of falling increases… Continue reading Reducing Risks of Falls and Injuries
Younger Binge Drinkers May Have Higher Heart Risks
Younger adults who frequently binge drink were more likely to have certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease than non-binge drinkers, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “Compared to previous generations, the pervasiveness, intensity (number of drinks) and regularity (several… Continue reading Younger Binge Drinkers May Have Higher Heart Risks