Controversies over hypertension guidelines

Source: BMJ, 2012, 344 (7841)

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Date of publication: January 2012

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: The January 28th issue of the BMJ presents both sides of the controversy over the current hypertension guidance. The 2011 NICE guidelines for the management of hypertension are facing criticism for being too complicated and having an insufficient evidence base. The authors of the NICE guidelines have responded to the criticism, citing that their recommendations are evidence-based, but that the guidelines will evolve as more evidence is found. All sides agree that further robust research needs to be done.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Lifetime risks of cardiovascular disease

Source: New England Journal of Medicine, 2012, 366 (4) p. 321-9

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Date of publication: January 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study is a meta-analysis of data from 18 cohort studies involving over 250,000 adults from the last 50 years. Participants were stratified according to blood pressure, cholesterol level, smoking and diabetes. The researchers calculated the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease according to age, sex, race and other risk factors across multiple birth cohorts. Marked differences in the lifetime risks of cardiovascular disease across risk-factor strata were observed. The authors believe that their findings have important implications for clinical disease prevention and public health practice.

Length of publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

An epidemic of risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Source: The Lancet, 12 February 2011, vol 377(9765), pp 527

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Date of publication: 12 February 2011

Publication type: Editorial, Journal Article

In a nutshell: The three articles in this edition of  The Lancet have been published on behalf of the Global Burden of Metabolic Risk Factors of Chronic Diseases Collaborating Groups on BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol, respectively. They focus on national, regional and global trends in body-mass index, systolic blood pressure and serum total cholesterol 1980 – 2008, across 199 countries. An epidemic is clearly developing, but each risk factor is considered to be modifiable.

Length of publication: 1 page plus 3 related articles

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Telemonitoring and self-management in the control of hypertension

Source: Lancet, 2010, 376 (9736) p. 163-172

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess whether self-management by patients with poorly-controlled hypertension resulted in better control of their blood pressure. 24 general practices took part. Participants were responsible for self-monitoring of blood pressure and self-titration of anti-hypertensive drugs, in addition to telemonitoring of home blood pressure measurements. The results showed that self-management of hypertension, combined with telemonitoring of blood pressure measurements, forms an important new addition to control of hypertension in primary care.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

New guidelines propose regular heart checks for all Scots over 40

Source: Herald Scotland, 29th April 2010

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Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Guidelines launched in Scotland last month specify that all patients aged 40 and over should be invited to have their blood pressure tested every five years. The standards also state that GPs should check whether their patients are smokers every two years. The manadatory guidelines focus on preventing heart disease, but patients who have developed heart disease will also be given a variety of options to help improve their health under the new standard of care.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum

Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based intervention for improving patient adherence to antihypertensives

Source: BMC Health Services Research, 2010, 10 (34)

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Date of publication: February, 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study protocol aims to test a package of interventions by community pharmacists to improve patients’ daily adherence to their antihypertensive medications. Fifty-six pharmacies in Australia will take part in the six month trial, after which time changes in patient adherence and persistance will be measured.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: BioMed Central