Hypertension

High blood pressure increases a patient's risk of heart attack, stroke and other diseases. Most people with hypertension have no symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about 1 in 4 of those individuals has their hypertension under control. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the epidemic of hypertension world-wide will exceed 1.56 billion people by 2025. Major efforts are underway to better control this primary risk factor through screenings, medication and invasive procedures such as renal denervation in severely uncontrolled patients.

Gen 2 Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System implanted in patient for first time.

World’s first patient treated with new implantable device for pulmonary hypertension

The procedure, performed on Feb. 14, was part of an early feasibility trial developed with help from the FDA.

February 29, 2024
what is a flexitarian diet? plant-based but limited meats

Flexitarian diet, a plant-based option that includes small amounts of meat, linked to key cardiovascular benefits

The study, designed to compare flexitarians with vegans and omnivores, focused on young and middle-aged adults in good health who had been following the same diet for at least one full year.

February 13, 2024
Salt substitutes are associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure without increasing the risk of low blood pressure, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.[1]

Salt substitutes reduce hypertension risk by up to 40%

Many patients do not want to limit their salt intake, even when a doctor tells them the numerous health benefits. Salt substitutes may represent another way forward. 

February 12, 2024
The Medtronic Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system uses a catheter that curls in the renal artery to place radiofrequency electrodes against the vessel wall to ablate the nerves that control vasodilation, so the artery can be propped in the fully open position.

First US patient treated with Medtronic’s FDA-approved renal denervation system

Interventional cardiologist David Kandzari, MD, performed the procedure just days after the device received full FDA approval. 

November 30, 2023
Pills

ADHD medications associated with heightened CVD risk

"Although the effectiveness of ADHD medications has been demonstrated ... concerns remain regarding their potential cardiovascular safety," one research explained. 

November 22, 2023
Medtronic Symplicity Spyral renal denervation

FDA approves another renal denervation system for hypertension

This is the second time in a matter of weeks the FDA has approved an RDN system for uncontrolled hypertension. The SCAI issued a statement about this trend, calling it a “game-changer for both interventional cardiology and the treatment of hypertension."

November 20, 2023
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Recor Medical’s Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation (RDN) system for uncontrolled hypertension. The Recor system gained FDA clearance in November 2023.

FDA approves first renal denervation system for uncontrolled hypertension

The system, designed for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are unresponsive to medication, uses ultrasound ablation to target nerves in the renal arteries, increasing blood flow. This approval comes just months after an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of the system. 

November 8, 2023
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ChatGPT tackles hypertension: Popular AI model a helpful resource for patients with high blood pressure

The study's authors communicated with ChatGPT-4 in both English and Japanese, noting that it appeared to struggle more with the complexities of the Japanese language. 

November 7, 2023

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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