Global crisis – untreated hypertension

high

More than 700 million people with untreated hypertension. The number of people living with hypertension has doubled to 1.28 billion since 1990. The number of adults aged 30-79 years with hypertension has increased from 650 million to 1.28 billion in the last thirty years, according to the first comprehensive global analysis of trends in hypertension prevalence, […]

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Inter-arm difference in kids’ blood pressure

kids' blood pressure

Kids’ blood pressure measurements substantially different between arms, potential for misdiagnosis: Blood pressure measurements in children and adolescents should be taken from both arms after new research showed substantial differences could be seen depending on which arm was used. The study, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and published in the Journal of Hypertension, found even a […]

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Mother’s heart beat linked to small babies

Pregnant women who develop high blood pressure, or have small babies, may have hearts that pump less blood with each beat. The findings, from Imperial College London, also suggest pregnant women who develop high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia), or fetal growth restriction (where a baby’s growth slows or stops before birth), may have differences in their […]

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Fat but fit increases risk of CHD

‘Fat but fit’ people are at increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), even if they are otherwise healthy, according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal. Researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge, have found that being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of CHD by up […]

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Should you take blood pressure pills in the morning?

Should you take blood pressure pills first thing? When it comes to taking certain medications for cardiovascular health, there is an optimum ‘time slot’ in the day based on our 24-hour body clock. Also known as the circadian rhythm, this controls everything from sleep patterns to hormones, to metabolism, bowel movements, blood pressure and the […]

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Identifying new blood pressure genes to combat hypertension

One in three adults suffer from high blood pressure in the UK which is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke and death worldwide. It is caused by a complex interplay between genetics and lifestyle factors such as diet, weight, alcohol consumption, and exercise. The study, led by Imperial College London and Queen Mary […]

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Vital signs

vital signs thermometer

Vital signs have long been used by doctors to decide if we are fit and well, or if our bodies are struggling with underlying ill health. A weak pulse, a high temperature or low blood oxygen can point to underlying medical problem like infection, heart disease, asthma and kidney problems. Increasingly, however, a booming industry […]

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Protect yourself from heart disease

There are certain things that you can’t help, that increase your risk of getting heart disease. These are: Getting older: All the tissues of the body are affected by wear and tear as we get older, including the heart and the arteries. This can affect the way that the heart works, and circulation. Family History: Some people are more susceptible […]

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One Minute Medical School: Herd Immunity

The Hippocratic Post - herd immunity

Dr. Rob Tarzwell, a Clinical Assistant Professor on the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia recently co-authored the largest functional brain imaging study in history, with 21,000 subjects. […]

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Beating the clock – inducing labour

The Hippocratic Post - labour

Having a baby is the most natural thing in the world. Or is it? Today’s new mothers are more likely than ever to go through labour that has been artificially induced. In fact, the trend for inducing labour has reached epidemic proportions over the last two decades. According to the Department of Health figures for […]

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