Top in cardiology: Tai chi vs. aerobic exercise for BP reduction; Tirzepatide may lower BP

Tai chi was more effective at lowering blood pressure in adults with prehypertension compared with aerobic exercise, according to a recently published study.

The randomized trial divided adults with prehypertension into two groups, one of which practiced tai chi four times per week for 1 year, and the other aerobic exercises like climbing stairs, walking, jogging and cycling at the same frequency as the tai chi group.

After 12 months, the tai chi group showed a mean systolic BP reduction of –7.01 mm Hg, and the aerobic exercise group had a mean systolic BP reduction of –4.61 mm Hg.

It was the top story in cardiology last week.

In another top story, data from the SURMOUNT-1 trial showed that adults taking tirzepatide for weight loss also experienced lower BP compared with placebo. The mean change in BP was –7.4 mm Hg for the 5 mg dose, –10.6 mm Hg for the 10 mg dose and –8 mm Hg for the 15 mg dose.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Tai chi more effective than aerobic exercise for blood pressure reduction

Among adults with prehypertension, 12 months of tai chi significantly decreased office systolic BP by a mean of 2.4 mm Hg more than aerobic exercise, along with greater reductions in 24-hour and nighttime ambulatory systolic BP, data show. Read more.

Beyond weight loss, tirzepatide may also lower high blood pressure: SURMOUNT-1

The dual incretin agonist tirzepatide reduced 24-hour ambulatory BP for adults with obesity-related hypertension, with the effects potentially independent of weight loss, according to data from a planned substudy of the SURMOUNT-1 trial. Read more.

Longer-duration CPR does not improve survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest

Odds for survival after an in-hospital cardiac arrest decline from 22% after 1 minute of CPR to less than 1% after 39 minutes, with similar odds observed for brain function, according to registry data. Read more.

HPV in women may contribute to risk for heart disease death

South Korean women positive for high-risk HPV infection were nearly four times as likely to die of atherosclerotic CVD compared with women without HPV infection, even when women had no baseline CVD and low CV risk factors, data show. Read more.

In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, survival more likely if overdose-related

Adults who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are much more likely to survive to hospital discharge if the cause is overdose-related, with data also showing such patients tended to be younger and healthier, researchers reported. Read more.