Free Republic

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,...

Data from the phase III INTERACT3 study demonstrate that a new combination of treatments for stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) significantly improves the chances of surviving without major disability. The INTERACT3 study is the first-ever randomized controlled trial to show a clearly positive outcome for the treatment of ICH. Timely administration of the new treatment protocol—known as a Care Bundle—centered on the rapid control of high blood pressure, led to improved recovery, lower rates of death, and better overall quality of life. Professor Craig Anderson said, "Despite the high rates of ICH and its severity, there are few proven...

Researchers found that patients who were assigned to the highest dose of the new medication saw the top blood pressure number drop by a full 20 points. Some patients with high blood pressure can't get it under control with standard medications, but a new study shows an experimental drug is up to the task of treating these tough-to-treat cases. Why do some folks struggle more with managing their high blood pressure than others? When the hypertension is caused by the hormone aldosterone, which is responsible for how much salt the body retains, it is much harder to control, researchers explained....

Researchers at the University of Missouri are customizing a commercial finger clip device to provide a rapid, noninvasive way for measuring and continually monitoring blood pressure. Credit: University of Missouri ======================================================================== Monitoring a person's blood pressure on a regular basis can help health care professionals with early detection of various health problems such as high blood pressure, which has no warning signs or symptoms. However, many things can alter an accurate blood pressure reading, including a patient's nervousness about having their blood pressure taken at a doctor's office, otherwise known as "white coat syndrome." Now, researchers at the University of...

Kevin Netto, director of research at Curtin University's School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, says sex is akin to moderate level exercise. It causes heart rate rises, systolic blood pressure increases, diastolic blood pressure decreases and you sweat more. "It's exactly the same benefits as doing a full body cardio work but the caveat being that you have to maintain it for long enough," A/Prof Netto says. He says a French study found that the act of sex lasts for about 17 minutes on average "from whoa to go". "For most people it's not long enough and it's not often...