Blood Pressure
Cocoa compound may help lower blood pressure
- Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Dark chocolate and cocoa powder may help to slightly lower blood pressure, according to the findings of a new review.
Researchers looked at data from 20 trials in which more than 850 people regularly consumed dark chocolate or cocoa powder containing compounds called flavanols. The findings showed participants' blood pressure was slightly reduced – on average by 2-3 mmHG.
An adult’s blood pressure should be below 140/85mmHg. If you have heart or circulatory disease, including coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack or stroke, or have diabetes or kidney disease, then it is usually recommended that your blood pressure should be below 130/80mmHg.
Too much salt can damage blood vessels, says new study
- Monday, 18 June 2012
Too much salt may damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a new study.
Researchers tracked how much sodium 5,556 men and women from the Netherlands were eating and found those eating a high-salt diet for several years were more likely to have increased levels of uric acid and albumin. Both substances are markers of blood vessel damage.
Blood pressure alone not enough to determine heart risk
- Friday, 27 January 2012
If there is a difference in blood pressure between your right and left arm you could be at an increased risk of dying from heart and circulatory disease, according to a new study.
Researchers found a difference in systolic blood pressure of 15mmHG or more between arms was associated with an increased risk of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). PVD is the narrowing and hardening or the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet.
Oxidants help maintain healthy blood pressure, scientists show
- Monday, 16 January 2012
A new scientific study has shown that oxidants – a family of molecules known to be involved in aging and the development of cancer – also have a positive role in the body in helping to regulate blood pressure.
In a study published in Nature Medicine, scientists show that oxidants, which ‘steal’ electrons from other molecules in a chemical reaction, help prevent high blood pressure.
New test could help thousands of patients with high blood pressure
- Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Scan can detect 5p-sized growth that causes hypertension
A new test developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge could help doctors diagnose thousands of people with the most common curable cause of high blood pressure (hypertension). Research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), showed a high-tech PET-CT scan could detect Conn’s syndrome, which causes up to five per cent of cases of hypertension.
Genetic blood pressure discovery gives hypertension hope
- Thursday, 17 November 2011
Scientists largely funded by us have uncovered new genes which could affect high blood pressure.
The research used blood pressure measurements from 25,000 people to help identify genes that play a role in hypertension, or high blood pressure. Researchers say they’ve indentified five new genetic variations, while also confirming a number of previous discoveries.
They say their discoveries could, in principal, be used in the future to develop ways to lower blood pressure.
