Hypertension

First ARB/CCB combo approved for initial therapy

3 COMMENTS - Aug 5, 2008 10:00 EDT

The US FDA has approved the first combination of an angiotensin receptor blocker—valsartan—with a calcium blocker—amlodipine—for the initial treatment of hypertension. The product, known as Exforge, was first cleared for marketing last year.

Rockville, MD - The US FDA has approved the first combination of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)—valsartan—with a calcium-channel blocker (CCB)—amlodipine—for the initial treatment of hypertension. The product, known as Exforge, was given the additional indication along with another combination containing valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, Diovan HCT [1]. Both are marketed by Novartis. Read full article »

Inside: Hypertension

Accredited educational programs, supported by industry, developed by theheart.org

Hypertension

First response: Improving outcomes - is it all about blood pressure?

Jul 25, 2008 11:00 EDT

First hand reports from the joint meeting in Berlin of European Society of Hypertension/ International Society of Hypertension

Hypertension

The weight of evidence mounts for ARBs

8 COMMENTS - Jun 30, 2008 16:20 EDT

New trials and more data suggest a more established role for ARBs

Hypertension

A focus on nitric oxide

19 COMMENTS - May 30, 2008 11:16 EDT

Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure: are they all at the mercy of nitric oxide? Join Drs Weber, Cohn, Mason and Cockcroft in a discussion on the role nitric oxide plays in vascular health.

Hypertension

Managing hypertension Combination therapy: The new first line?

Dec 19, 2007 15:40 EST

Clinicians are exploring a new and compelling role for combination therapy in hard-to-treat hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Hypertension

The Cardiorenal Connection Role of Microalbuminuria (MAU) in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification

2 COMMENTS - Dec 19, 2007 15:35 EST

The assessment of microalbuminuria (MAU) is an important prognostic indicator for CVD and renal damage and should be an element in an overall cardiometabolic fitness approach.

Hypertension

Poor-quality sleep driving up blood pressure in teens

Aug 20, 2008 15:15 EDT

Roughly one-quarter of teens in the study either weren't getting enough sleep or had trouble falling asleep and waking too early, and this "inefficient" sleep pattern was associated with systolic blood-pressure levels 4 mm Hg higher than other children. (Javaheri S et al. Circulation; published online before print August 18, 2008.)

Brain/Kidney/Peripheral

New ONTARGET analysis provokes debate about treating those at high renal risk

Aug 14, 2008 18:30 EDT

A new analysis of renal outcomes in ONTARGET has shown that those taking a combination of telmisartan and ramipril fared worse than those taking either drug alone. But the results do not provide much help when it comes to determining whether one very small subgroup—those with overt nephropathy—benefit from the combination or not. (Mann JFE et al. Lancet 2008; 372:547-553.)

Hypertension

Low birth weight associated with salt sensitivity

Aug 11, 2008 16:00 EDT

Children who had low birth weights were more likely to show increased blood pressure with higher intakes of salt and to have smaller kidneys than children with normal birth weights in a new study. The authors say this may explain the higher rate of hypertension and cardiovascular/renal disease in individuals with low birth weights. (Simonetti GD et al. Hypertension; published online before print August 11, 2008.)

Hypertension

AHA issues statement on ABPM in youths

Aug 6, 2008 15:45 EDT

The American Heart Association has issued a scientific statement on ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring in children and adolescents, providing a blueprint for how this technique should be used in such patients. (Urbina E et al. Hypertension; published online before print August 4, 2008.)

Hypertension

IV antihypertensive clevidipine approved in the US

Aug 5, 2008 16:15 EDT

The Medicines Company has announced that the US FDA has approved its intravenous antihypertensive clevidipine, which is the first new IV drug for high blood pressure in 10 years.

Hypertension

Lower birth weight linked to sex-specific CV changes in children

2 COMMENTS - Jul 23, 2008 13:45 EDT

British researchers have found that lower birth weight in both boys and girls seems to indicate a likelihood of hypertension in later life, but that this appears to be mediated via different mechanisms, depending on gender. (Jones A et al. Eur Heart J; published online before print July 22, 2008.)

Lipid/Metabolic

High fiber in pregnancy cuts risk of preeclampsia

1 COMMENT - Jul 17, 2008 15:15 EDT

Women who consume a high amount of dietary fiber during early pregnancy have a reduced risk of subsequent preeclampsia compared with those who eat little, according to a new prospective study. (Qiu C et al. Am J Hypertens; published online before print July 17, 2008.)

Prevention

Room for improvement in adherence to guideline-based care

Jul 16, 2008 13:45 EDT

A contemporary look at whether outpatients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors are reaching goals indicated for blood pressure, lipids, and diabetes shows there is still room for improvement. (Steinberg BA et al. Am Heart J; published online before print July 14, 2008.)

Hypertension

Treatment of hypertension has improved over time, with impact on events

Jul 16, 2008 11:15 EDT

New data from the Framingham Heart Study looking at two periods before and after the widespread introduction of antihypertensive therapy to the US suggest that BP levels have improved over time, likely resulting in a reduction in cardiovascular clinical events. (Ingelsson E et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:1450-1457.)

Hypertension

Mild blood-pressure elevations in young adulthood linked to coronary calcium in later life

6 COMMENTS - Jul 14, 2008 17:00 EDT

The findings suggest that prehypertension in young adults is not merely a harbinger of hypertension later on but may in and of itself increase the risk of coronary artery disease decades later. (Pletcher MJ et al. Ann Intern Med 2008; 149:91-99.)

Hypertension

Novartis to acquire Speedel

Jul 11, 2008 11:30 EDT

Novartis thus gains complete control over the renin inhibitor aliskiren and two similar follow-up drugs.

Prevention

Ankle-brachial index improves CV risk prediction

20 COMMENTS - Jul 8, 2008 16:00 EDT

The authors of a new meta-analysis suggest that a new equation incorporating the ABI and Framingham scores could more accurately predict risk, and they intend to develop such a model. (Ankle Brachial Index Collaboration. JAMA 2008; 300:197-208.)

Hypertension

Antihypertensive treatment in the very elderly may reduce dementia risk

Jul 8, 2008 10:45 EDT

Results from a substudy of the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial suggest that lowering blood pressure in individuals aged 80 and older might reduce dementia risk. (Peters R et al. Lancet Neurol; published online before print July 7, 2008.)

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