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.

FDA approves new drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension from Johnson & Johnson, Merck
Cardiologists now have two more tools to help them combat PAH, a rare vascular condition that often leads to heart failure.
FDA approves new hypertension drug months after Idorsia reacquired rights for $343M
Aprocitentan, sold under the brand name Tryvio, is approved for patients with high blood pressure who are already taking other antihypertensive drugs.
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.
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.
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.

Links to the ACC.22 late-breaking clinical trials

Learn more about the late-breaking studies presented at ACC.22 in Washington, D.C.

April 13, 2022

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.

Renal denervation linked to significant blood pressure reductions after 3 years

An updated look at patients treated with Medtronic's renal denervation system was presented at ACC.22 and simultaneously published in The Lancet.

April 6, 2022

These quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, which Pfizer sells under the name Accuretic, are included in the voluntary FDA recall.

FDA announces recall of hypertension medications due to potential cancer risk

The voluntary recall includes quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets sold by Pfizer and authorized generics of that same medication.

March 23, 2022

American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

Hypertension patients benefit from new intervention focused on education, motivation and text messages

Improving the way we communicate with ED patients about their blood pressure could make a significant long-term impact on their health.

March 2, 2022

The LDL-lowering medication inclisiran (Leqvio) was recently cleared by the FDA. It used only two doses per year. It was included it the Cleveland Clinic annual list of the top 10 medical innovations expected to make a big impact on patient care in 2022.

4 new medications and technologies that could transform cardiology in 2022

The FDA has already approved one of the medications, with a decision on another expected by the end of April.

February 18, 2022

Unreliable? 76% of world’s blood pressure monitors have not been validated

Researchers examined data on more than 3,400 BP devices used all over the world. A significant majority of them were never clinically validated for accuracy.

February 17, 2022

Apixaban may be a more effective treatment option than rivaroxaban for patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (AFib) and valvular heart disease (VHD), according to a new analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Too much Tylenol? Daily acetaminophen use may be bad for hypertension patients

Daily acetaminophen use was associated with a “significant increase” in daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

February 9, 2022

Chinese herbal formula treats mild hypertension as well as prescription drug

Songling Xuemaikang capsules compare favorably with losartan, potentially providing specialists with a new treatment option.

February 3, 2022

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Hypertension

FDA approves new drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension from Johnson & Johnson, Merck

FDA approves new hypertension drug months after Idorsia reacquired rights for $343M

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

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

Salt substitutes reduce hypertension risk by up to 40%

Around the web