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In a nutshell * Dark chocolate, tea, apples, and grapes can significantly lower blood pressure, especially in people with hypertension, with effects comparable in size to standard medications. * These flavan-3-ol-rich foods also improve blood vessel function, offering heart health benefits beyond just blood pressure reduction. * Whole foods work better than supplements, and they come with minimal side effects, making them a safe, affordable addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle. ================================================================ GUILDFORD, England — Instead of buying the next trendy expensive supplement or exotic superfood, a morning cup of tea could do more for your blood pressure than you realize....

If you’ve cut salt, eased up on caffeine, and tried to stress less, and your blood pressure still won’t budge, perhaps a golden spice in your kitchen cabinet can ease your efforts.Curcumin is found in the root of the turmeric plant, giving it its distinctive golden hue and earthy flavor. It belongs to a group of plant-based substances called polyphenols, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.These effects may help explain why curcumin—turmeric’s most active compound—is being studied for its potential to support healthy blood pressure.A Natural Ally for Blood Pressure ControlThe most convenient and widely available source of curcumin...

We'll never say no to more ginger in our life.Key Points -A new study published in medical journal Cureus reveals numerous health benefits ginger can provide, including its ability to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. -The many health benefits of ginger led researchers to conclude that the ingredient is a viable tool for assisting in treatment of cardiovascular disease. -Ginger can also aid in digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation. Ginger is a welcome addition to many recipes. It’s aromatic, spicy, and carries a hint of earthy, citrusy flavor. But aside from its zesty taste, recent research published...

Relaxation techniques may help lower high blood pressure—at least in the short term—but the longer-term effects are unclear, finds a pooled data analysis of the existing research. While drugs are available to treat the condition, adherence to them is poor, generating interest in alternative approaches, such as relaxation techniques, to reduce one of the major risk factors for high blood pressure—high stress levels. But it's far from clear which of these methods might be most effective. To build on the evidence base, the researchers scoured research databases for studies published in English up to February 2024 that looked at the...

Researchers have found that intensive blood pressure (BP) control produces cardiovascular benefits and increases the risk of adverse events in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This approach was initially studied in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), a randomized trial with over 9,000 participants. The intervention demonstrated reduced cardiovascular events, mortality, and reduced rates of mild cognitive impairment. Intensive BP control consisted of treatment with antihypertensive medications to maintain a systolic BP below 120 mm Hg, as opposed to <140 mm Hg, the standard target at the time. The study included 85,938 VHA patients (75.7 years, 95% male)...

Blood pressure is a crucial indicator of our overall health and well-being. Prolonged high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to severe complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and vision loss.1 American Heart Association. Health Threats from High Blood Pressure. Yet millions of Americans are living with elevated blood pressure, and many don’t even know it.2 Even though maintaining healthy blood pressure is crucial, there are many myths surrounding high blood pressure. These misconceptions can be dangerous, as they downplay the need for regular monitoring and proactive management.

Incorrect arm positioning during BP measurements can overestimate readings by up to 6.5 mmHg, according to a Johns Hopkins study. The findings emphasize the need for proper arm support to ensure accurate hypertension diagnosis. Investigators suggest that not following arm support guidelines during blood pressure screening could have a substantial clinical impact. A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that common methods of positioning a patient’s arm during blood pressure (BP) screenings can significantly overestimate the readings, potentially leading to misdiagnosis of hypertension. In a report on the study, which was recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine,...

When it comes to exercise for heart health, you don't want to peak too early in life. Recent research suggests that if you want to protect yourself against high blood pressure as you age, you need to play the long game and keep your exercise levels up through middle age. But social factors can make this more difficult for some people to do than others, according to a study of more than 5,000 people across 4 US cities. "Teenagers and those in their early 20s may be physically active but these patterns change with age," study author and epidemiologist Kirsten...

A team of public health researchers has found, via analysis of health record data, that some regular coffee drinkers with high blood pressure may have a lower risk of developing dementia than people who do not drink coffee. Prior research has shown that regularly drinking a moderate amount of coffee or tea can reduce inflammation. Other studies have shown that it can also promote blood–brain barrier health. Both factors have been tied to reducing the risk of developing dementia. In this new study, the researchers wondered if a direct tie could be made between drinking caffeinated beverages and dementia. To...

A widely used drug could be the key to treating many patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, particularly for patients with a common gene variant, according to research. In the study, people with high blood pressure who had two copies of the variation experienced a 5% reduction in their average blood pressure after taking the drug torasemide for 16 weeks. Torasemide is a drug used to treat fluid overload caused by many conditions, including heart failure, kidney disease and liver disease. Until now, loop diuretics like torasemide have not been commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Patients with two...

New research shows that a treatment plan based on a novel combination of low doses of three anti-hypertensive drugs in a single pill—known as GMRx2—was superior to a high-quality standard care treatment plan at lowering blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Results of the 'deliVERy of Optimal blood pressure coNtrol in afrICA (VERONICA)-Nigeria' trial, were presented today. The GMRx2 treatment plan involved a once daily pill containing telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide at a quarter, half or standard doses. The standard care treatment plan began with monotherapy, followed by dual and triple combination therapy, and was typical of hypertension guidelines...

Chemicals commonly found in sunscreen, makeup and other personal care products could be putting pregnancies at risk, a new study warns. Phenols and parabens in these products increase a pregnant woman's risk of high blood pressure by 57%, particularly at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, researchers reported. Phenols and parabens are used as UV filters in sunscreens, and to prevent the growth of harmful mold and bacteria in makeup and cosmetics, researchers said. Parabens alone are used in about 80% of personal care products, the research team said in background notes. For the study, researchers tracked the health of...

People 60 and older with untreated high blood pressure may have an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease compared to both people who have been or are being treated for high blood pressure as well as people without the chronic condition. The new research, a meta-analysis, do not prove that untreated high blood pressure causes Alzheimer's disease, they only show an association. "High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and cerebrovascular disease, and yet it can be controlled with medication, reducing a person's risk of these diseases," said Matthew J. Lennon, MD, Ph.D. "Taking blood pressure medications has also...

Researchers found that a targeted gene therapy may make acute myeloid leukemia (AML) more sensitive to chemotherapy, while also protecting the heart against toxicity often caused by cancer treatments. Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in adults and the resulting chemotherapy treatment can put patients at an increased risk for cardiac damage. Dr. Xunlei Kang led a study looking at similarities between leukemia and cardiovascular disease. They found a shared target—AGTR1, a receptor responsible for cell reproduction, was overabundant in the blood cells of patients with leukemia. The researchers used losartan, a common medicine for treating...

Aerobic training is known to regulate blood pressure more effectively when practiced in the evening than in the morning. Researchers who conducted a study of elderly patients concluded that evening exercise is better for blood pressure regulation thanks to improved cardiovascular control by the autonomic nervous system via a mechanism known as baroreflex sensitivity. "There are multiple mechanisms to regulate blood pressure, and although morning training was beneficial, only evening training improved short-term control of blood pressure by enhancing baroreflex sensitivity. This is important because baroreflex control has a positive effect on blood pressure regulation, and there aren't any medications...

Keeping blood pressure under control could be crucial for women in preventing uterine fibroids, new research shows. Middle-aged women tracked for up to 17 years in a new study were 37% less likely to develop these painful growths if they treated their high blood pressure with medication. On the other hand, "patients with new-onset hypertension had a 45% increased risk of newly reported fibroids," said a team led by Susannah Mitro. As outlined in the study, uterine fibroids are benign but painful tumors that arise in the uterus and affect up to 80% of women by the age of 50....

High blood pressure, or hypertension, remains a global health concern, contributing to 19% of deaths worldwide. In an international review, biologists highlight the pivotal role of dietary fiber in managing hypertension and reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and call for the inclusion of dietary fiber in clinical guidelines for hypertension. The review sheds light on the often-overlooked importance of dietary fiber in blood pressure management. Said Francine Marques, "Dietary fiber has emerged as a crucial yet underappreciated part of hypertension management." "Our comprehensive analysis emphasizes the evidence supporting the effectiveness of dietary fiber in lowering blood pressure and reducing the...

Sleeping fewer than seven hours is associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure over time, according to a study. The current analysis pools data from 16 studies conducted between January 2000 and May 2023, evaluating hypertension incidence in 1,044,035 people from six countries who did not have a prior history of high blood pressure over a median follow-up of five years (follow-up ranged from 2.4 to 18 years). Short sleep duration was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension after adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, the association was found to be even...

A study provides compelling evidence for clinical practice to direct efforts toward preventing white matter damage in individuals with hypertension in order to protect against cognitive decline and dementia. Gray matter is where the brain cells exist, whereas white matter constitutes the network of nerve fibers that provides the communication connection between different areas of gray matter. The study, led by Dr. Jing Du, found that compared with gray matter, white matter is more vulnerable to raised blood pressure. "Because gray matter has a greater amount of small blood vessels, and therefore a greater supply of blood compared to white...

More than half of adults living in the U.S. label themselves as "mouth breathers"—breathing primarily through an open mouth. However, according to research, breathing through the nose leads to several benefits, including lower blood pressure and other factors that could predict heart disease risk. Blood pressure and heart rate can be predictors of heart disease. Breathing patterns can affect these bodily functions due to the crosstalk that occurs between the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Nasal breathing has been shown to relax the airways and improve breathing efficiency. A group of 20 young adult volunteers participated in a crossover study consisting...