Hormone imbalance causes treatment-resistant hypertension

Source: British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication: April 2018

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Researchers have discovered a hormone imbalance that explains why it is very difficult to control blood pressure in around 10 per cent of hypertension patients. The team at Queen Mary University of London, found that the steroid hormone ‘aldosterone’ causes salt to accumulate in the bloodstream. The salt accumulation occurs even in patients on reasonable diets and pushes up blood pressure despite use of diuretics and other standard treatments.

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: British Heart Foundation

Hypertension in 2017—What Is the Right Target?

Source: The JAMA Network

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Date of publication: January 2017

Publication type: Viewpoint

In a nutshell: In this Viewpoint, the author proposes blood pressure goals for treatment of hypertension in light of data from the ACCORD, SPRINT, and HOPE-3 trials, which tested differences in patient outcomes by treatment targets.

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: The JAMA Network

Diagnostic and predictive accuracy of blood pressure screening methods

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine online first

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Date of publication: December 2014

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: This systematic review updated the evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for high blood pressure in adults and summarised the evidence on re-screening intervals. The study also looked at the diagnostic and predictive accuracy of different blood pressure methods for cardiovascular events.

Length of publication: 26 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.

Yoga may guard against heart disease, study finds

Source: BBC News Health

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Date of publication: December 2014

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This news article discusses a systematic review of 37 studies, involving nearly 3000 people, which found that yoga may be beneficial for protecting against heart disease, especially for people who cannot do more vigorous forms of exercise. Yoga was independently linked to a lowering of heart risk factors such as hypertension, cholesterol and obesity when compared with no exercise. The calming effect of yoga may be beneficial, as stress in linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.

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: BMJ

Reducing sodium in children’s diets

Source: Medical News Today

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Date of publication: September 2014

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The American government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced a factsheet to help parents and carers reduce children’s consumption of sodium.

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: CDC Vital Signs: Reducing sodium in children’s diets

Doctors record higher blood pressure than nurses: systematic review and meta-analysis

Source: British Journal of General Practice, 2014, 64 (621), e223-e232

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Date of publication: April 2014

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: The authors of this systematic review found that among 15 studies, blood pressure measurements taken by nurses were lower compared with doctors’ measurements. This may have implications for both hypertension diagnosis and management.

Length of publication: 10 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.

2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure

Source: JAMA online first

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Date of publication: 18th December 2013

Publication type: Practice Guidelines

In a nutshell: The panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee have developed Evidence Statements for treatment of high blood pressure based on a systematic review of the literature. This report recommends treatment thresholds, goals and drug treatment strategies in the management of hypertension in adults.

Length of publication: 14 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: The US National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in older adults

Source: Circulation, 2013, 128 (22), p.2422-2446

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Date of publication: November 2013

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: This scientific statement published by the American Heart Association gives an overview of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in older adults, and discusses areas such as hypertension management, psychosocial issues and lifestyle therapy.

Length of publication: 28 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: American Heart Association

Economic Analyses of the Be Fit Be Well Program

Source: Journal of General Internal Medicine, e-pub ahead of print

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Date of publication: June 2013

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This is a cost-analysis of a two-year moderate intensity weight loss and hypertension management programme. The ‘Be Fit Be Well Program’ involved 365 hypertensive and obese participants in three community health centres in the USA.

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.

NICE hypertension quality standard

Source: NICE

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Date of publication: March 2013

Publication type: Standards

In a nutshell: This quality standard covers the management of hypertension in adults and includes information on diagnosis and treatment.

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: Heart Improvement eBulletin, issue 180, 20th March 2013

Future cardiovascular risk: interpreting the importance of increased blood pressure during pregnancy

Source: Circulation, 2013, 127 (6), pp. 668-669

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Date of publication: February 2013

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: This study found that hypertension during pregnancy, even without known risk factors, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The authors suggest that clinical monitoring and early intervention could be beneficial.

Length of publication: 2 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: Elevated blood pressure in pregnancy and subsequent chronic disease risk

Telehealth no longer a remote possibility for general practice

Source: GP Online

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Date of publication: January 2013

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: NHS Stoke on Trent CCG is running a clinical rollout of its Florence SMS texting telehealth service. This service of Advice and Interactive Messages (AIM) for health has been trialled in Primary Care Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the UK over the last three years for various conditions, including hypertension. The Trust is offering to hold workshops for interested CCGs and general practice teams who would like to be involved with the rollout.

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: NHS Stoke on Trent