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Is caffeine good or bad for your heart?There’s no doubt that caffeine can raise your blood pressure and heart rate.But consuming moderate amounts of caffeine daily also has been linked to supple arteries and reduced risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.Now there’s more good heart health news for those of us who love our coffee, tea and cocoa…Caffeine and your blood vesselsVascular disease, damage of blood vessels and their resulting consequences — heart attack and stroke — are among the leading causes of death in the general population. These risks are even higher in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases...

Methotrexate, a common medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, has a newly recognized useful secondary effect of lowering blood pressure and potentially reduces the risk of heart disease in people with this condition. A new study led by researchers, has shown that methotrexate significantly lowers blood pressure when compared to another arthritis drug, sulfasalazine, marking the first clear evidence of this effect in newly diagnosed patients. Occurring in about 1 in 100 people, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease which leads to inflammation and pain in the connective tissue of a patient's joints. Over six months, the researchers...

Researchers expose problem with arm cuffs and how simple fixes could greatly improve accuracy. In A Nutshell * Standard arm-cuff blood pressure tests often read nearly 6 points too low, missing about 30% of people with high systolic blood pressure (140 mmHg or higher). * Cambridge researchers found the problem stems from a hidden drop in blood pressure in vessels below the cuff during the test. * In lab tests, low “downstream” pressure caused readings to be off by as much as 9–10 points. * Simple fixes, like redesigning cuffs, adjusting arm position, or using small correction factors, could make...

Hot tubs and saunas can both soothe aching muscles and provide welcome warmth, but hot tubs might offer greater health benefits. That's the takeaway from a new study done by researchers which compared the physiological effects of soaking in a hot tub to sitting in a traditional dry heat sauna or a more modern far-infrared sauna. By raising core body temperatures, soaking in hot water can help lower blood pressure, stimulate the immune system and, over time, improve the body's response to heat stress. Moreover, those effects can last beyond the minutes spent directly in heat treatment. Researchers monitored body...

The blood pressure-lowering effect of nitrate-rich beetroot juice in older people may be due to specific changes in their oral microbiome, according to the largest study of its kind. Nitrate is crucial to the body and is consumed as a natural part of a vegetable-rich diet. When the older adults drank a concentrated beetroot juice shot twice a day for two weeks, their blood pressure decreased—an effect not seen in the younger group. The new study provides evidence that this outcome was likely caused by the suppression of potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth. An imbalance between beneficial and harmful...

Endocrine Society experts encouraged more widespread screening for a common hormonal cause of high blood pressure known as primary aldosteronism in a new Clinical Practice Guideline. A significant minority of people who are diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, actually have undiagnosed primary aldosteronism. An estimated 5% to 14% of people with high blood pressure seen in primary care and up to 30% seen in referral centers have primary aldosteronism. Many individuals with hypertension never receive a blood test for primary aldosteronism. When the condition is not diagnosed and treated, it raises the risk of cardiovascular complications, including stroke,...

The close relationship between the United States and Europe transcends geographic proximity and transactional politics. It represents a unique bond forged in common culture, faith, familial ties, mutual assistance in times of strife, and above all, a shared Western civilizational heritage. Our transatlantic partnership is underpinned by a rich Western tradition of natural law, virtue ethics, and national sovereignty. This tradition flows from Athens and Rome, through medieval Christianity, to English common law, and ultimately into America's founding documents. The Declaration's revolutionary assertion that men “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” echoes the thought of Aristotle, Thomas...

A study of almost 400,000 people is the first to indicate, in humans, that the signaling of substances called short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs, released when gut bacteria break down dietary fiber, significantly protects against cardiovascular disease and hypertension by up to 20%. A previous clinical trial has shown these SCFAs—when provided as a supplement—lead to lowered blood pressure. Another trial is underway. The current study used data from the UK Biobank database and found rare genetic variants that profoundly impact the function of receptors that bind to SCFAs essentially prevent people from utilizing the cardiovascular protection offered by their...

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...