Blood Pressure

Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled the top cardiology headlines of May 2023.

Data show many people with atherosclerotic CVD did not have risk factors monitored during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to variable outcomes in BP, lipid and glucose control, researchers reported.

Blood pressure measures obtained through ambulatory monitoring were more informative about risk for all-cause death or cardiovascular death than conventional clinic blood pressure readings, researchers reported.

Social determinants of health contribute to excess levels of uncontrolled BP among Black adults compared with white adults taking antihypertensive medication, researchers reported.

Primary hypertension in children is a predictor of hypertension and other CVD in adulthood, yet the condition is often unrecognized and undertreated.

Compared with monotherapy, usual care or placebo, polypills containing three or four low-dose antihypertensive drugs were associated with greater achievement of target BP and more sustained BP lowering, according to a meta-analysis.

U.S. adults who report exposure to high levels of workplace discrimination are 54% more likely to develop hypertension compared with people who report low levels of discrimination exposure, researchers reported.

A review of electronic health records data showed that fewer than half of children with elevated BP have a guideline-adherent diagnosis code or attended guideline-adherent follow-up, and that clinical decision support tools are underused.

It is estimated that one in two U.S. adults has hypertension, considered the most prevalent CV condition and a potent risk factor for MI, HF, stroke and death. Yet, BP control continues to worsen, and the disease burden remains substantial.

High or low systolic blood pressure on hospital admission did not negate the effects of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with ischemic stroke, although higher levels were associated with worse functional outcomes.