TOCHIGI, Japan — People who have high blood pressure while asleep are more likely to suffer cardiovascular disease, especially heart failure, in the future, a new study reveals. In fact, researchers at Jichi Medical University in Japan warn that even when a patient’s daytime blood pressure is within normal ranges, they are still more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke.

Medical practitioners typically use in-office and daytime blood pressure measurements to determine a patient’s hypertension medication needs and dosages. But many patients may have undetected high blood pressure while sleeping, also known as nocturnal hypertension, scientists say.

“Nighttime blood pressure is increasingly being recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular risk,” says lead author Professor Kazuomi Kario, a professor of cardiovascular medicine, in a statement to the American Heart Association. “This study provides much more in-depth information about the cardiovascular risk associated with high nighttime blood pressure and different nighttime blood pressure phenotypes than have been reported previously.”

Patients’ blood pressure monitored during the day and while sleeping

For the study, data was collected from 6,359 adults from across Japan between 2009 and 2017. Nearly half of the study participants were male, and more than half were at least 65 years old. The patients all had at least one cardiovascular risk factor, and three-quarters of them were taking blood pressure medications. None had symptomatic cardiovascular disease when the study began.

Researchers measured daytime and nighttime blood pressure levels using an at-home, wearable monitor. Measurements were taken for at least 24 hours at a time, and device data were periodically downloaded at a health care clinic. Participants were instructed to self-report their daily activities along with sleep and wake times in a diary. A

Almost every participant recorded 20 daytime and seven night-time automated blood pressure measurements. Follow-ups occurred annually via phone or clinic visit, with total follow up ranging from two to seven years.

Researchers analyzed the rates of cardiovascular disease events, including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and death, among the participants. The occurrence and timing of heart events in relation to blood pressure variations was analyzed to determine whether there were any associations.

In all, participants experienced a total of 306 cardiovascular events, including 119 strokes, 99 diagnoses of coronary artery disease, and 88 diagnoses of heart failure.

‘Significant, independent risk factor for cardiovascular events’

Authors say that an abnormal reading, or a systolic blood pressure measuring 20 mm Hg above a person’s daytime systolic reading, is significantly linked to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and heart failure. Similarly, participants with an abnormal circadian pattern, which occurs when sleep blood pressure exceeds daytime readings, were at particular risk of developing heart failure and had a greater risk of experiencing any heart disease event.

Excessive reduction of blood pressure during sleep may also be detrimental. Patients with well-controlled hypertension showed a significantly increased risk of stroke when nighttime systolic pressure took extreme dips.

“Results indicate that nighttime systolic blood pressure was a significant, independent risk factor for cardiovascular events,” says Kario. “The study highlights the importance of including nighttime blood pressure monitoring in patient management strategies and will hopefully encourage physicians to ensure that antihypertensive therapy is effectively lowering blood pressure throughout the 24-hour dosing period.”

But the authors note that their study is not without limitations.

Ambulatory data were obtained once at the start of the study. However, no information was available regarding the contributions of subsequent changes in ambulatory blood pressure levels up until the time of diagnosis of a cardiac event. The study also focused on systolic, rather than diastolic, measurements due to the older age of the participants.

The authors say study evaluations did not include echocardiograms, thus preventing some degree of differentiation for types of heart failure.

The new research is published in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation.

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(HealthDay)—Millions of Americans with high blood pressure are at risk of heart attack and stroke, but just a few changes might cut that risk.

“In February, American Heart Month, we encourage all Americans to take control of their heart health by better understanding and monitoring their blood pressure levels and making healthy lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce their risk of serious health consequences associated with high blood pressure,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association (AMA).

“High blood pressure is the nation’s leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke, yet an overwhelming number of U.S. adults are living with uncontrolled high blood pressure,” Harris said in an association news release.

In honor of American Heart Month, the AMA provided six tips for improving heart health:

• Know your blood pressure. Understand what your numbers mean and how you can get your blood pressure under control.
• Follow a treatment plan to manage your high blood pressure. Work with your doctor and commit to realistic lifestyle changes.
• Get active. Healthy adults from ages 18 to 65 should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.
• Eat less processed food. Try to stay away from foods with added sodium and sugar. Instead, eat more plant-based foods and foods that are rich in potassium (these include bananas, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, avocados, greens, tomatoes).
• Keep your weight under control. If you’re overweight, take steps to shed a few pounds. Being 20 or more pounds overweight can put you at risk.
• Consume alcohol in moderation, if at all. According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderation is defined by women having up to one drink per day and men up to two.

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In today’s world, increasing rate of heart attacks is one of the major concerns around the globe. Several causes of cardiovascular risks include obesity, smoking, alcohol, high blood pressure, genetic issues etc. Increasing stomach fat, also known as ‘hidden fat’ in abdomen, can lead to worsening of the risk, an earlier study stated. Recently, another study stated that heart attack survivors having excess belly fat are at a higher risk of another heart attack. It was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology. The study, which is termed to be the largest and most definitive ever conducted on the topic, followed more than 22,000 patients after their first heart attack.

Most patients – 78 percent of men and 90 percent of women – were found to have abdominal obesity or waist circumference of 94 cm or above for men and 80 cm or above for women.

“In our study, patients with increasing levels of abdominal obesity still had a raised risk for recurrent events despite being on therapies that lower traditional risk factors connected with abdominal obesity – such as anti-hypertensives, diabetes medication, and lipid-lowering drugs,” said lead researcher Dr. Hanieh Mohammadi, as per an ANI report.

On that note, the fataround the tummyis the easiest to gainand sadly, the toughestto shed. There are a couple of factors that contribute towards belly fat and you need a combination of a good diet and regular exercise to get rid of the extra pounds. In some cases, the hidden reason for a bulging belly may be an unrelated factor like stress or sleep deprivation.

One must also remember, in order to lose weight, calorie intake should be lesser than total daily calories burned. Here are some superfoods, which are easily available in every kitchen, that help in reducing belly fat.

5 Foods That Help In Reducing Belly Fat

Ajwain seed

Also known as carom seeds, ajwain work as a miracle in losing the extra pounds. It helps in digestion, leading to lesser fat storage, which results in weight loss. All you need to do is boil a tablespoon of ajwain seeds in a liter of water and sip on it throughout the day.

Moong dal

Whenever an expert shares diet-chart for losing weight, one will surely see boiled moong dal in the list. This dal is full of vitamins, minerals and several other nutrients. Due to high protein and fiber content in it, people feel fuller after having a bowl of boiled moong dal, leading to decrease in hunger.

Lauki

Lauki or bottle gourd is low in calories, hence helps in promoting weight loss. A bowl of home-cooked laukicontains only 73 calories.The vitamins and minerals present in it keep the body nourished and curb hunger pangs.

Dalia

Also referred as bulgar wheat or broken wheat, it is one of the most popular Indian breakfast meals. High in protein and low in fat, Dalia provides nutrients, without piling on the pounds. Packed with fiber, manganese and vitamin B, Dalia helps in keeping you full for a long time.

Sabja

Basil seeds orsabja is rich in vitamins A, E, K, B and a great source of dietary fiber. Eating these prior to a meal will prevent you from overeating as well as keep constipation at bay. Sabja works as an excellent diet supplement, killing all your hunger woes and aiding in weight loss.

Hence, you may start having these superfoods to keep a check on your weight and prevent yourself from any further and severe damages.

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A new study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, has suggested that older people may need different recommendations to maintain healthy blood pressure.

More than half of the Americans aged 60 and above have high blood pressure (hypertension) and it is important to maintain one’s blood pressure to prevent life-threatening events, such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.

According to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, people who are 65 or above should not have a systolic blood pressure of more than 130 mmHg.

Many older people develop health issues by the time they reach 85. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce estimation, at least 10 percent of Americans will be 85 or older by 2050.

And the new study, which was conducted on more than 1,160 participants, has recommended blood pressure guidelines for individuals who are 85 or above.

Researchers looked at the participants who had experienced heart attacks, strokes, changes in kidney function, cognitive decline, quality of life reduction, and who had died. They found that around 27 percent of them had a history of heart disease, while the majority of them had three or more medical conditions.

The average age of the participants was 84. More than half of them were taking five or more medications for their health issues.

The researchers found that the participants had a systolic blood pressure of approximately 142 mmHg.

Dividing the participants into two groups, the researchers wanted to determine whether aggressively controlling the blood pressure would help lower the risk of strokes, heart attacks, cognitive decline, or death.

One group received “intensive” treatment to bring down their systolic blood pressure under 120 mmHg, while the other group received assistance to keep their blood pressure under 140 mmHg.

The group that achieved systolic levels to 120 mmHg or less had a lower risk of cardiac events and cognitive impairment; however, they had significant changes in their kidney function, some requiring hospitalization due to kidney damage.

The development of dementia in both groups was about the same. The study suggests that reducing the risk of heart disease or cognitive decline may well outweigh the risk of changes in kidney function.

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High blood pressure is the strength or force of the blood that is pushing against artery walls. When the pressure is too high, the heart works double-time. After a while, high blood pressure can weaken the blood vessels, kidneys, heart, and other organs in your body.

It is sometimes called the silent killer because of the absence of symptoms, as well as the serious health risks it causes. Some of the health risks associated with high blood pressure are kidney disease, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or vision loss. If the blood pressure becomes too high, a hypertensive crisis may happen and can be life-threatening.

Hypertensive Crisis Symptoms

Having a nosebleed is a hypertensive crisis symptom that must not be taken lightly. In a statement posted on their website, the American Heart Association said that high blood pressure does not normally cause nosebleeds or headaches. The strongest indication you are already experiencing a hypertensive crisis is when blood pressure shoots to as high as 180/12mmHg or more.

If your blood pressure is abnormally high and you are starting to suffer from headaches or having a nosebleed, the AHA recommends waiting for at least five minutes and retesting. When severe headaches or nosebleeds occur, and you are not feeling well, you should immediately get in touch with your doctor as these could be symptoms of other medical conditions.

Being Aware of the Condition

High blood pressure is dangerous in the sense that most of those who have it are not even aware of it. According to health organizations, almost one-third of the population in the UK suffers from high blood pressure, yet they do not know they already have it.

One surefire way to know if you are suffering from high blood pressure is to undergo regular checkups. If your blood pressure is unusually high, try to observe if you start feeling symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, vision problems, irregular heartbeat, and pounding in the neck, chest, or ears. Seeing blood in the urine and difficulty breathing are also indications of high blood pressure.

Lower Blood Pressure Readings

High blood pressure is caused by many factors. One of the biggest factors, however, is lifestyle choices. You can successfully manage your blood pressure by opting for a healthy lifestyle. Doing so could prevent, delay, or minimize the need for blood pressure control medication.

Perform physical activities for at least 150 minutes each week. Divide it into chunks of 30 minutes per day. This can reduce blood pressure readings by around five to eight mmHg.

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High blood pressure cause due to the modern lifestyle, which we also know as ‘silent killer’. Apart from bad eating habits, stress and poor sleep, sodium in the body is the main cause of this problem. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness and increased heartbeat. This problem occurs when the pressure in the arteries of the heart is increased, then the blood has to apply more pressure to supply it to the organ.

Sleeping helps to maintain energy levels, relax and relieve stress. If you have work stress then sleeping helps you to recover. Unfortunately, the inability to sleep properly and work stress occurs simultaneously, and when combined with high blood pressure, the consequences are even more fatal.

High blood pressure is a serious problem and women suffering from it should think of ways to control it. Because if it is not controlled in time, it can damage other parts of the body such as the heart and kidneys. High blood pressure increases the chances of having problems like heart attack, kidney failure, etc. If you are also suffering from high blood pressure then avoid taking too much stress and get plenty of sleep. Because work pressure and not getting enough sleep can increase the problem of high blood pressure.

If you feel that you cannot bear the pressure of work in the office, then take a little breather. One more thing can increase your anxiety, and that is not to sleep properly. Because research has shown that workload, stress from the burden and not sleeping properly increases the risk of death from heart disease by 3 times in people with high blood pressure.

The research was attended by 2,000 employees, aged 25 to 65, without heart disease or diabetes, who complained of high blood pressure. People with both risk factors were three times more likely to die from heart disease than people without work stress and good sleep. Research stated that people with work stress alone had 1.6 times higher risk, while only those with poor sleep had 1.8 times higher risk. It is harmful to have no power to change when trapped in a pressure situation. Therefore, if you are suffering from high blood pressure, then reduce the workload and get plenty of sleep from today.

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High blood pressure or hypertension can affect your health negatively in various ways. Many factors can contribute to high blood pressure like lack of physical activity, obesity, stress and more. Most people ignore high blood pressure and do not make any necessary changes. But do you know uncontrolled blood pressure can out your heart health at risk? There is a link between uncontrolled blood pressure and heart health. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of heart diseases. It puts an individual at a huger risk of heart diseases. The factors which contribute to high blood pressure also affect heart health. Here’s the link between high blood pressure and heart health explained by Dr. Sanjay Bhat, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology.

High Blood Pressure is considered a silent killer. It sneaks up on you, carries no symptoms and can put you at risk for heart disease. The reality is that hypertension is a condition that makes the heart work harder than normal. The excess strain and resulting damage from high blood pressure or hypertension causes the coronary arteries serving the heart to slowly become narrowed from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that together are called plaque. This slow process is known as atherosclerosis. As arteries harden with plaque, blood clots become more likely to form. When an artery becomes blocked due to an accumulation of plaque or a blood clot, the flow of blood through the heart muscle is interrupted, starving the muscle of oxygen and nutrients. The damage or death of part of the heart muscle that occurs, as a result, is called a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

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Those who suffer from high blood pressure often fail to detect the symptoms because, in the first place, they are hardly noticeable. To find out whether or not you have high blood pressure, you need to have it checked by the doctor.

Since the condition increases your risk of serious health problems like stroke and heart attack, there is a need to keep your blood pressure at normal levels. To do this, certain lifestyle and dietary changes may need to be implemented.

Eating a regular healthy diet and losing weight could help a lot. You should also try to exercise regularly, and if you are smoking, you should get rid of it. If you are fond of drinking alcohol, try to minimize the amounts you drink drastically.

The National Health Service also said minimizing salt consumption can help keep your blood pressure normal. The health body also recommends eating lots of vegetables and fruit. Eating at least five portions of vegetables and fruits each day can also help you achieve the goal of stabilizing your blood pressure.

According to the NHS, too much salt can raise blood pressure. The health organization recommends limiting salt consumption to no more than 6 grams or 0.2 ounces of salt per day. This amount is around a teaspoonful of table salt.

Consuming a low-fat and high fiber diet can also help. High fiber foods like bread, wholegrain rice, and pasta, when eaten in moderation, can help you maintain normal blood pressure.

Supplements can also help lower blood pressure levels. These include aged garlic extracts, whey protein, and hibiscus.

Garlic

Garlic supplements have been observed to create a major impact on lowering blood pressure in people who are suffering from high blood pressure. In one research, around 600 to 1,500 milligrams of aged garlic extract was discovered to have the same efficacy as Atenolol, a drug prescribed to reduce blood pressure.

Protein

Several studies have also proved whey protein can help lower blood pressure. In one study involving overweight and obese individuals, whey protein supplementation at 54 grams per day for twelve weeks lowered their systolic blood pressure by 4%. Experts say the lowering of blood pressure, in this case, is made possible by bioactive peptides, also known as lactokinins.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus tea is also an effective supplement to lower both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In a study participated in by more than 60 adult individuals who are suffering from high blood pressure, those who took hibiscus tea for six weeks saw a decrease in their systolic blood pressure.

In another study, experts found that hibiscus tea was able to decrease both the systolic by at least 7.58mmHg and diastolic by around 3.53mmHg. These studies prove that supplements can indeed help you maintain good and normal blood pressure.

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High blood pressure pills may work better when taken at bedtime, research suggests.

In the largest study of its kind, scientists from the University of Vigo in Spain looked at when more than 19,000 patients took their hypertension medication.

The team found those who took the pills at bedtime had nearly half the risk (45%) of dying from heart disease over the next six years compared to the participants who had the medication upon waking.

The night time regimen also reduced the patients’ risk of a heart attack, stroke and heart failure, when the organ does not pump blood around the body as effectively as it should.

Experts believe a patient’s body clock may change how they respond to the medication.

“Current guidelines on the treatment of hypertension do not mention or recommend any preferred treatment time,” lead author Professor Ramon Hermida said.

“Morning ingestion has been the most common recommendation by physicians based on the misleading goal of reducing morning blood pressure levels.

“The results of this study show patients who routinely take their anti-hypertensive medication at bedtime, as opposed to when they wake up, have better-controlled blood pressure and, most importantly, a significantly decreased risk of death or illness from heart and blood vessel problems.”

Past research by the same scientists suggests nighttime blood pressure is the “most significant and independent indication of cardiovascular disease risk”.

To learn more, the team divided 19,084 adults with high blood pressure into two groups. The first were told to take all their hypertension drugs at bedtime, while the second were instructed to have the medication upon waking.

The patients who followed for an average of around six years. At least once a year, their blood pressure was monitored continuously via a cuff over 48 hours.

Results, published in the European Heart Journal, show taking hypertension pills at bedtime reduced the participants’ risk of death caused by heart disease.

It also lowered their risk of stroke by 49%, a heart attack by 44%, heart failure by 42% and coronary revascularisation by 40%. Coronary revascularisation is surgery to widen narrowed or blocked arteries.

These patients also had lower blood pressure throughout the day, with it particularly “dipping” at night. Blood pressure should naturally decline during sleep – failure to do so can put a person at risk of heart disease.

The results remained true even after the scientists adjusted for other factors linked to poor heart health, like type 2 diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol.

“The findings indicate average blood pressure levels while asleep and nighttime blood pressure dipping, but not daytime blood pressure or blood pressure measured in the clinic, are jointly the most significant blood pressure-derived markers of cardiovascular risk,” Professor Hermida said.

“Accordingly, round-the-clock ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be the recommended way to diagnose hypertension and to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Ambulatory monitoring involves a patient wearing a cuff that records their blood pressure at regular internals throughout the day and night.

Dr Paul Leeson, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford, said: “This study has the potential to transform how we prescribe blood pressure medication.

“The scale of the project, length of follow up and size of effect are impressive. Importantly, this is a ‘real world’ study where doctors were allowed to prescribe whatever they wanted and just change medication timing. This means the findings are likely to be relevant to most people who take tablets for high blood pressure.

“Where the benefit comes from remains unclear. Does this improve patterns of sleep? Are side effects less problematic at night? Does blood pressure overnight better reflect heart health?”

The scientists stress the participants all slept at night time, therefore it is unclear if the same results would occur among shift workers. All the participants were also white and of Spanish descent. Different results may apply to other ethnic groups, they added.

The team are looking into the “ideal” blood pressure readings during sleep to reduce a patient’s heart disease risk.

“If you’re taking blood pressure medication, it’s important to check with your GP or pharmacist before changing the time you take it,” Vanessa Smith, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, told the BBC.

“There may be specific reasons why your doctor has prescribed medication in the morning or night.”

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Taking blood pressure medication at bedtime rather than on waking halves the risk of events such as heart attack and stroke, a major study has revealed.

Experts say the findings could potentially transform the way such medications are prescribed, but questions remain, not least why taking the medication at night has such a profound effect.

Prof Ramón Hermida, first author of the study from the University of Vigo in Spain, said the effect was thought to be down to the body’s internal clock that means processes and chemicals within our bodies vary over a 24-hour period.

The upshot, he said, was that the same drug could have vastly different effects if taken at a different point in time, something that has been dubbed “chronotherapy”.

“The same antihypertensive medication, the same molecule, at the same dose, ingested at two different times have totally different pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and therefore they behave as two totally different medications,” said Hermida.

Previous research has shown that high blood pressure during sleep, and only small differences between blood pressure during the day and night, are both important risk factors for cardiovascular problems.

There have also been studies suggesting blood pressure medications are more effective when taken in the evening and might result in fewer heart attacks and strokes.

As a result, the team set out to compare the long-term implications of adopting a bedtime, rather than waking time, routine for taking blood pressure medication in a large trial.

Writing in the European Heart Journal, the team report how they randomly split more than 19,000 adults with high blood pressure into two groups. Half of the patients were asked to take all their medication at bedtime while the other half were asked to take it upon waking.

Crucially, said Hermida, fixed times were not given so that participants took their medication at the same point in the daily routine.

The patients were then followed for between four and eight years, with blood pressure measured over a 48-hour period at the outset and at least once a year during the study. In total 1,752 cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, death from cardiovascular disease and heart failure were recorded during the study.

While the impact on daytime blood pressure was similar, those taking their medication at bedtime had a small but significantly greater reduction in blood pressure during sleep compared with those taking medication on waking, as well as a greater difference in blood pressure when sleeping compared with being awake.

Among possible explanations, Hermida said it was known that the hormone system that regulates blood pressure peaks in activity during sleep, meaning it might be that medications that interact with this system have a greater effect when taken just before bed.

After taking into account factors such as age, sex, smoking status, history of cardiovascular events and typical decrease in blood pressure when asleep, the team found patients who took their medication at bedtime had a 56% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a 49% lower risk of stroke and a 44% lower risk of heart attack compared with the other group.

The team say the findings need to be confirmed in a more diverse range of ethnicities, while it is not clear if they would hold among those undertaking shift work.

Prof Stephen MacMahon, the principal director of the George Institute for Global Health at Oxford University, who was not involved in the study, said such a profound effect on cardiovascular events was surprising given the modest differences in blood pressure.

However, Hermida said the blood pressure medication could be operating on many different biological processes that vary in their activity over the course of the day.

Besides the effect on blood pressure, the team found those who took the medication at bedtime also showed better kidney function and cholesterol measures, both of which are important factors when it comes to cardiovascular disease.

Paul Leeson, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Oxford University, said the next step was to unpick why the timing of the medication had such an effect, something that could soon become clear with results from other big studies.

“This study has the potential to transform how we prescribe blood pressure medication,” he said.

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While many doctors will prescribe medication to help patients suffering from high blood pressure (and those medications can be very effective), those tend to come with side effects. So in pursuit of avoiding less-than-pleasant side effects, many people have found success in natural remedies. And we’re not talking about natural remedies based on anecdotal evidence, like drinking funky tea or getting into meditation — we’re talking about simple changes to your lifestyle and diet.

Interestingly, high blood pressure typically shows no signs or symptoms, earning it the not-so-cheerful nickname of the “silent killer.” But if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there’s no reason to panic just yet. Read on for everything you need to know about high blood pressure and how to naturally manage the condition, which affects about 75 million adults in the U.S.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

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A new study suggests that people with gum disease (periodontitis) have a greater likelihood of suffering from high blood pressure or vice versa.

The study investigated gum disease as a potential risk factor for hypertension, but the reverse could also be true, warn researchers. “Further research is needed to examine whether patients with high blood pressure have a raised likelihood of gum disease. It seems prudent to provide oral health advice to those with hypertension,” said professor Francesco D’Aiuto from UCL Eastman Dental Institute in the UK.

High blood pressure affects 30-45 per cent of adults and is the leading global cause of premature death, while periodontitis affects more than 50 per cent of the world’s population.

“We observed a linear association – the more severe periodontitis is, the higher the probability of hypertension. The findings suggest that patients with gum disease should be informed of their risk and given advice on lifestyle changes to prevent high blood pressure such as exercise and a healthy diet,” said D’Aiuto in the paper published in Cardiovascular Research, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology.

Hypertension could be the driver of heart attack and stroke in patients with periodontitis.

“Previous research suggests a connection between periodontitis and hypertension and that dental treatment might improve blood pressure, but to date, the findings are inconclusive,” the researchers noted.

This study compiled the best available evidence to examine the odds of high blood pressure in patients with moderate and severe gum disease.

A total of 81 studies from 26 countries were included in the meta-analysis.

Moderate-to-severe periodontitis was associated with a 22 per cent raised risk for hypertension, while severe periodontitis was linked with 49 per cent higher odds of hypertension.

Average arterial blood pressure was higher in patients with periodontitis compared to those without. An average 5 mmHg blood pressure rise would be linked to a 25 per cent increased risk of death from heart attack or stroke, the researchers noted.

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NEW YORK, Sept 11 ― A preliminary new study has found that having high blood pressure later in life may speed up cognitive decline, but treating the condition may also help slow it down.

Carried out by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, USA, the new study looked at data gathered from nearly 11,000 adults in China to assess how high blood pressure and its treatment may be linked with cognitive decline.

The researchers interviewed each of the study participants about their high blood pressure treatment and asked them to perform cognitive tests, such as recalling words as part of a memory quiz.

High blood pressure was defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher, and/or taking antihypertensive treatment. The American Heart Association defines high blood pressure as starting with slightly lower measurements, and having a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher or a diastolic reading of 80 mmHg or higher.

The findings, presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension 2019 Scientific Sessions, showed that overall, cognition scores declined over the four-year study. However, participants who were age 55 and older and who had high blood pressure showed a quicker rate of cognitive decline compared with those who did not have high blood pressure or who were being treated for high blood pressure.

In fact, the rate of cognitive decline was similar between those without high blood pressure and those taking treatment for the condition.

As an observational study, the researchers cannot establish cause and effect. The team also did not investigate why or how high blood pressure treatments may have slowed down cognitive decline, or which treatments were the most effective.

Nevertheless, senior author L.H. Lumey commented that, “The findings are important because high blood pressure and cognitive decline are two of the most common conditions associated with ageing, and more people are living longer, worldwide.”

Study author Shumin Rui also added, “We think efforts should be made to expand high blood pressure screenings, especially for at-risk populations, because so many people are not aware that they have high blood pressure that should be treated.”

“This study focused on middle-aged and older adults in China, but we believe our results could apply to populations elsewhere as well. We need to better understand how high blood pressure treatments may protect against cognitive decline and look at how high blood pressure and cognitive decline are occurring together.”

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Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is one of our main vital signs and one of the most commonly monitored variables in all types of medical check-ups, in triage before admission to hospital, etc., and is an especially informative parameter of the general condition of a patient. Blood pressure varies greatly from one individual to another, is subject to circadian rhythms, and is affected by stress, nutritional factors, medication intake and disease. It is a universally understood measure, and is essential from a clinical point of view. In addition, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and strokes, while lower blood pressure is seen as positive.

In terms of health monitoring, a key element in the transition toward preventive health systems, accurate and continual monitoring of blood pressure is widely seen as a fundamental parameter. Knowing a patient’s heart rate, at a time when more and more people are using wearables such as the Apple Watch, which provide continuous recording through photoplethysmography or even a pretty reliable electrocardiogram, is certainly useful, but more important is being able to combine that information with other parameters. Talking to cardiologists, the parameter they all say is most useful for diagnoses, besides heart rhythm, is blood pressure.

Now, a group of researchers from the University of Toronto have come up with a way to measure blood pressure accurately using a smartphone camera and a procedure similar to taking a selfie. The measurement is carried out by transdermal optical imaging: the light emitted by the smartphone camera bounces off the proteins near the surface of the skin at different speeds, allowing a minimal measurement of changes in hemoglobin, which with a battery of 900 images taken in 30 seconds provides an accurate blood pressure reading.

It’s not clear yet whether the procedure works for all skin types, which is important given the higher incidence of high blood pressure and associated mortality in black people, but the idea, without a doubt, has potential, because dedicating thirty seconds a day to taking one’s blood pressure is not difficult and could help detect numerous health problems early. In addition, regardless of whether something is detected or not, the information collected could, if shared, feed numerous studies and contribute to the advancement of medical science as a whole.

Wearables of various types that record our vital parameters, beds that monitor our sleep, simple but precise analytics that replace checks we used to carry out once a year or less, and artificial intelligence to process all these data are just some of the elements that will radically alter healthcare in the coming years, based on a pro-active approach rather than waiting until we fall sick. This type of innovation and its possibilities, both for research and medical practice, have to be introduced into university programs as soon as possible if we want to see a real change in the mentality of health practitioners.

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