Effects of the DASH Diet and Walking on Blood Pressure in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Data on the potential beneficial effects of combining diet and exercise on blood pressure (BP) are still scarce. A 4‐week randomized controlled clinical trial was undertaken in 40 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) in office and daytime ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Patients were assigned to follow a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet associated with advice to increase walking using a pedometer (intervention group) or a diet based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations (control group). The lifestyle intervention caused a greater ABPM (mm Hg) reduction in systolic 24‐hour, diastolic 24‐hour, nighttime systolic, daytime systolic, and daytime diastolic measurements than observed in the control group. In the intervention group there was a decrease in urinary sodium and an increase in urinary potassium, plasma aldosterone, and the number of steps per day (P<.05). The DASH diet and increased walking were associated with clinically significant reductions in ABPM values in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Impact of Yoga on Global Cardiovascular Risk as an Add-On to a Regular Exercise Regimen in Patients With Hypertension

BackgroundWe aimed to determine whether the addition of yoga to a regular exercise training regimen improves cardiometabolic risk profile.MethodsSixty individuals with diagnosed hypertension (≥ 140/90 mm Hg for 3 measurements on different days) were recruited in an exercise training program. In addition to aerobic exercise training, participants were randomised into either a yoga or a stretching control group. Participants, over the 3-month intervention regimen, performed 15 minutes of either yoga or stretching in addition to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise training 5 times weekly. Blood pressure, anthropometry, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glucose, and lipid levels as well as the Framingham and Reynolds Risk Scores were measured.ResultsAt baseline, there was no difference in age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, lipid and glucose levels, and Framingham Risk Score between groups. After the 3-month intervention period, the decrement in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (before vs after stretching: 126 ± 11/76 ± 7 vs 122 ± 11/73 ± 8 mm Hg; before vs after yoga: 130 ± 13/77 ± 10 vs 119 ± 11/69 ± 8 mm Hg) and heart rate was greater (P < 0.001) in the yoga group, with similar decreases in lipid, glucose, and hs-CRP levels and Framingham Risk Score in both groups. Reynolds Risk Score decrement was higher in the yoga vs the control group (absolute reduction ?1.2 ± 1.2 vs ?0.6 ± 0.8; relative reduction 13.2 ± 11.8% vs 9.3 ± 6.5%; P < 0.05).ConclusionIn patients with hypertension, the practice of yoga incorporated in a 3-month exercise training program was associated with greater improvement in resting blood pressure and heart rate and Reynolds Risk Score compared with stretching.     

Rationale,design, and baseline characteristics of the Salt Substitute in India Study (SSiIS): The protocol for a double‐blinded,randomized‐controlled trial

Reduced‐sodium, added‐potassium salt substitutes have favorable effects on blood pressure, but have not been tested in India. The Salt Substitute in India Study (SSiIS) is a double‐blinded, randomized‐controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of reduced‐sodium, added‐potassium salt substitution to replace usual cooking salt use and blood pressure (BP) among hypertensive patients in rural India. The primary objective is to assess effects on systolic blood pressure at 3 months. The secondary objectives are to determine effects on diastolic blood pressure, urinary sodium, and potassium levels, and to determine acceptability of the intervention. Eligible individuals received usual salt (100% sodium chloride) or salt substitute (70% sodium chloride and 30% potassium chloride) to replace all salt required for cooking and seasoning in the household. A total of 502 participants aged ≥18 years with a history of hypertension were successfully recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control, between November 2019 and January 2020. Mean blood pressure at baseline was 133.5/83.6 mm Hg and 96% were using one or more blood pressure‐lowering medications. The overall mean average 24‐hour urinary sodium excretion was 2825 (SD, 1166) mg/L, which corresponds to a urinary salt excretion of 10.4 g/d. Baseline findings suggest sodium intake in this population significantly exceeds World Health Organization recommendations. The SSiIS trial has successfully recruited participants and is well placed to determine whether salt substitution is an effective means of lowering blood pressure for rural Indian patients with hypertension.     

Success and predictors of blood pressure control in diverse North American settings: the antihypertensive and lipid-lowering treatment to prevent heart attack trial (ALLHAT)

Context. Blood pressure control (<140/90 mm Hg) rates for hypertension fall far short of the US national goal of 50% or more. Achievable control rates in varied practice settings and geographic regions and factors that predict improved blood pressure control are not well identified. Objective. To determine the success and predictors of blood pressure control in a large hypertension trial involving a multiethnic population in diverse practice settings. Design. The Antihypertensive and Lipid‐Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial is a randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled clinical trial with a mean follow‐up of 4.9 years. Participant enrollment began in February 1994 and follow‐up was completed in March 2002. Setting. A total of 623 centers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Participants. A total of 33,357 participants (aged ≥55 years) with hypertension and at least one other coronary heart disease risk factor. Interventions. Participants were randomly assigned to receive (double‐blind) chlorthalidone, 12.5–25 mg/d (n=15,255), amlodipine 2.5–10 mg/d (n=9048), or lisinopril 10–40 mg/d (n=9054) after other medication was discontinued. Doses were increased within these ranges and additional drugs from other classes were added as needed to achieve blood pressure control (<140/90 mm Hg). Main Outcome Measures. The outcome measures for this report are systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the proportion of participants achieving blood pressure control (<140/90 mm Hg), and the number of drugs required to achieve control in all three groups combined. Results. Mean age was 67 years, 47% were women, 35% black, 36% diabetic; 90% were on antihypertensive drug treatment at entry. At the first of two pre‐randomization visits, blood pressure was <140/90 mm Hg in only 27.4% of participants. After 5 years of follow‐up, the percent controlled improved to 66%. Systolic blood pressure was <140 mm Hg in 67% of participants, diastolic blood pressure was <90 mm Hg in 92%, the mean number of drugs prescribed was 2.0±1.0, and the percent on ≥2 drugs was 63%. Blood pressure control varied by geographic regions, practice settings, and demographic and clinical characteristics of participants. Conclusions. These data demonstrate that blood pressure may be controlled in two thirds of a multiethnic hypertensive population in diverse practice settings. Systolic blood pressure is more difficult to control than diastolic blood pressure, and at least two antihypertensive medications are required for most patients to achieve blood pressure control. It is likely that the majority of people with hypertension could achieve a blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg with the antihypertensive medications available today.     

Inflammation and Atherosclerosis Are Associated With Hypertension in Kidney Transplant Recipients

The aim of the current study was to evaluate risk factors associated with hypertension in kidney transplant recipients. The authors recruited 92 consecutive kidney transplant recipients and 30 age‐matched patients with chronic kidney disease without history of cardiovascular events. Twenty‐four–hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, pulse wave velocity, and carotid ultrasound were performed. Serum levels of log‐transformed interleukin 6 (Log IL‐6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were determined. Twenty‐four–hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P=.0001), Log IL‐6 (P=.011), and total number of carotid plaques (P=.013) were higher, while the percentage decline of SBP from day to night was lower in kidney transplant recipients (P=.003). Independent predictors of 24‐hour SBP were urinary protein/creatinine ratio and circulating monocytes (P=.001), while Log IL‐6, serum creatinine, and total number of carotid plaques (P=.0001) were independent predictors of percentage decline of SBP from day to night. These results suggest that subclinical atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation are associated with hypertension after transplantation.     

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with chronic kidney disease and resistant hypertension

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:611–617. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The role of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) has not been well‐studied in patients with chronic kidney disease and resistant hypertension. In a retrospective study of the outpatient chronic kidney disease population, 156 patients with chronic kidney disease and resistant hypertension who had 24‐hour ABPM and clinic BP measurements were identified. Resistant hypertension was defined as uncontrolled clinic BP while taking ≥3 medications including a diuretic or controlled BP while taking ≥4 medications. Within the study group, ambulatory BP <130/80 mm Hg was found in 35.9% of all patients. Only 6.4% had both ambulatory and clinic BP <130/80 mm Hg. Prevalence of white‐coat hypertension, masked hypertension, and sustained hypertension were 29.5%, 5.8%, and 58.3%, respectively. Compared with patients with sustained hypertension, more patients in the white‐coat hypertension group had low nocturnal average systolic BP (defined as nocturnal average systolic BP <100 mm Hg) (17.4% vs 0%) and low 24‐hour average diastolic BP (defined as 24‐hour average diastolic BP <60 mm Hg) (52.2% vs 22%, P<.01). ABPM provides more reliable assessment of BP in patients with chronic kidney disease and resistant hypertension.     

GH and IGF-I excess control contributes to blood pressure control: results of an observational, retrospective, multicentre study in 105 hypertensive acromegalic patients on hypertensive treatment

Context Approximately one‐third of patients with acromegaly have concomitant hypertension. The outcome of hypertension after treatment of acromegaly is unknown. Objective To evaluate the role of GH and IGF‐I control on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels. Patients One hundred and five hypertensive patients (60 women, 45 men) with active disease receiving treatment for hypertension at their diagnosis of acromegaly. Design Observational, retrospective, multicentre. Measurements At diagnosis and after 24 months (median) of treatment we measured serum GH and IGF‐I levels, blood pressure levels, left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMi), early‐to‐late mitral flow velocity (E/A, as a measure of diastolic function) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF, as a measure of systolic function). Results At the diagnosis of acromegaly, hypertension was mild in 41·1% and severe in 58·9%. Serum GH and IGF‐I levels did not differ in patients with mild or severe hypertension. After 24 months of treatment, all patients had a notable decrease in both GH and IGF‐I levels, and achieved significantly lower levels of DBP, heart rate and LVMi; 76 patients (71%) had achieved control of GH and IGF‐I levels. Only the patients with controlled acromegaly achieved significantly lower SBP levels and significantly improved cardiac systolic and diastolic function. A higher dose of antihypertensive drugs and/or an increased number of drugs to control hypertension were significantly greater in patients with uncontrolled (32·3%) than in those with controlled acromegaly (7·8%; P = 0·004). Conclusion Hypertensive patients with controlled acromegaly achieved improved control of hypertension and of cardiac diastolic and systolic function. The use of antihypertensive drugs was significantly less in patients achieving control of acromegaly.     

Efficacy and tolerability of initial high vs low doses of S‐(‐)‐amlodipine in hypertension

In an 8‐week randomized trial of patients with mild or moderate hypertension, the authors investigated the efficacy and tolerability of initial high (5.0 mg/d) vs low (2.5 mg/d) doses of S‐(‐)‐amlodipine (equivalent to 5 and 10 mg of racemic amlodipine, respectively). In the S‐(‐)‐amlodipine 2.5‐mg group (n=263), 24‐hour ambulatory systolic/diastolic blood pressure (±standard deviation) decreased from 131.5±15.0/82.1±10.7 mm Hg at baseline to 126.0±13.5/78.5±9.5 mm Hg at 8 weeks of follow‐up by a least square mean (±standard error) change of 6.0±0.6/3.8±0.4 mm Hg. In the S‐(‐)‐amlodipine 5‐mg group (n=260), the corresponding changes were from 133.6±13.7/83.1±9.9 mm Hg to 125.0±12.0/78.2±8.9 mm Hg by 8.1±0.6/4.7±0.4 mm Hg, respectively. The between‐group differences in changes in 24‐hour systolic/diastolic blood pressure were 2.1/0.9 (P=.02/.17) mm Hg. Similar trends were observed for daytime and nighttime ambulatory and clinic blood pressure. The incidence rate was similar for all adverse events. An initial high dose of S‐(‐)‐amlodipine improved ambulatory blood pressure control with similar tolerability as an initial low dose in hypertension.     

Aldosterone to Active Renin Ratio Is Associated With Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Obese and Treated Hypertensive Patients: The Styrian Hypertension Study

High aldosterone levels are considered to play a key role in arterial hypertension. Data on the relationship between the aldosterone to active renin ratio (AARR), a quantity of aldosterone excess, and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) during the night are, however, sparse. Hypertensive patients were recruited from local outpatient clinics who underwent 24‐hour urine collection and in parallel ABPM. Plasma aldosterone and renin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. A total of 211 patients (age, 60.2±10.2 years; 51.9% female) with a mean systolic/diastolic ABPM value of 128.7±12.8/77.1±9.2 mm Hg were evaluated. In backwards linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin A_1c, N‐terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, urinary sodium/potassium ratio, and ongoing antihypertensive medication, AARR was significantly associated with nocturnal systolic (ß‐coefficient: 0.177; P=.017) and diastolic BP (ß‐coefficient: 0.162; P=.027). In patients with arterial hypertension, a significant association between AARR and nighttime BP even after adjustment for a broad panel of confounders was found.     

高血压患者24h动态血压的昼夜规律及变异性研究

目的 探讨原发性高血压（EH）患者血压昼夜规律及血压波动程度即变异性的临床意义.方法 回顾分析65例EH患者24 h动态血压（24 h ABPM）监测报告.将65例EH患者分为两组：一组为高血压伴左心室肥大（LVH）30例,另一组为高血压不伴左心室肥大35例.选择同期健康体检者30名为正常血压对照组.对下列参数进行分析：①24 h平均收缩压（24 h SBP）与舒张压（24 h DBP）;②白昼平均收缩压（dSBP）与舒张压（dDBP）;③夜间平均收缩压（nSBP）与舒张压（nDBP）;④24 h收缩压标准差（24 h SSD）与舒张压标准差（24 h DSD）;⑤白昼收缩压标准差（dSSD）与舒张压标准差（dDSD）;⑥夜间收缩压标准差（nSSD）和舒张压标准差（nDSD）;⑦夜间/白昼平均收缩压比值（nSBP/dSBP）与舒张压比值（nDBP/dDBP）.结果 高血压伴LVH组与正常对照组或高血压无LVH组比较,24 h各时间段的血压均值及血压变异性差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,血压昼夜（清醒/睡眠）规律性不明显,nSBP/dSBP比值显著高于对照组（P＜0.01）.高血压无LVH组与正常对照组比较,血压均值差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,血压大多有较明显昼夜（清醒/睡眠）变化规律,血压变异性比较除白昼收缩压变异性有明显差异外,其余差异无统计学意义.结论 高血压不合并靶器官损害时,血压的变异性不显著,有明显昼夜规律性;高血压合并靶器官损害时,血压的变异性增大,无明显昼夜规律性,nSBP/dSBP比值明显增高.利用这些指标可评估高血压患者是否有靶器官损害,以便更有效地控制血压,减少并发症.     

Association of Serum Uric Acid Level With Blood Pressure Variability in Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension

Serum uric acid (UA) is independently associated with hypertension and blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality in hypertensive patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of serum UA with BPV in 300 untreated essential hypertension patients (mean age 57.3±13.6 years). BPV was quantified as the standard deviation (SD) of the 24‐hour, daytime, and nighttime mean values obtained by using ambulatory BP monitoring. In correlation analysis, log UA values were found to be positively correlated with 24‐hour systolic BPV and nighttime systolic and diastolic BPV (Pearson coefficients of 0.246, 0.280, and 0.353, respectively; P<.001 for all). In multivariate analysis, log UA had an independent association with 24‐hour systolic BPV and nighttime systolic and diastolic BPV. This study show for the first time that increased serum UA is independently associated with BPV in untreated essential hypertension patients.     

高血压患者血压昼夜节律与左室肥厚及舒张功能的关系

目的观察高血压患者血压昼夜节律与左室肥厚及舒张功能的关系。方法对40名正常血压对照者和60例高血压病患者的血压昼夜节律与超声心动图左室心肌重量指数及舒张功能进行观察。结果发现血压昼夜节律消失的高血压患者左室肥厚检出率(36.6%)显著高于血压昼夜节律正常者(13.6%),血压昼夜节律减退者及倒置者左室重量指数(LVMI)与对照组及高血压昼夜节律存在者差异有统计学意义。左室舒张功能,高血压组中血压昼夜节律消失、减退者与血压昼夜节律正常者比较差异有统计学意义,而高血压组中血压昼夜节律存在者与对照组比较差异无统计学意义。结论血压昼夜节律对左室肥厚(LVH)发生、发展及舒张功能有重要影响,高血压治疗不仅应控制血压,而且应重视恢复正常的血压昼夜节律。     

Spironolactone and Hydrochlorothiazide Decrease Vascular Stiffness and Blood Pressure in Geriatric Hypertension

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of spironolactone (SPIRO) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) as monotherapy in older patients with hypertension in blood pressure (BP) control and measures of vascular stiffness. DESIGN: Randomized double‐blind trial. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐five subjects with hypertension (24 men, 21 women, mean age 69). INTERVENTION: Six months of HCTZ (n=21) or SPIRO (n=24) therapy titrated to a target systolic BP (SBP) less than 140 mmHg. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline (after 4 weeks of antihypertensive drug washout) and 6‐month 24‐hour ambulatory BP data were obtained. Pulse pressure (PP) was calculated as the difference between 24‐hour average SBP and DBP. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was determined according to noninvasive recordings of carotid and femoral artery pulse waves. RESULTS: Six months of HCTZ and SPIRO treatment was associated with significant decreases in 24‐hour and nocturnal SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) (analysis of variance (ANOVA) P<.001). At 6 months, average 24‐hour and nocturnal SBP were lower in the SPIRO than the HCTZ group (P<.001). PP and PWV also decreased significantly with HCTZ and SPIRO treatments (ANOVA P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Six months of therapy with HCTZ or SPIRO resulted in comparable reductions in 24‐hour average and nocturnal SBP and DBP, PP, and PWV in older subjects with hypertension.     

Self-Reported Sleep Duration and Hypertension in Older Spanish Adults

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between self-reported sleep duration, prevalent and incident hypertension, and control of high blood pressure in older adults.
DESIGN: Logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations of interest in a prospective cohort study conducted from 2001 to 2003.
SETTING: Cohort representative of the noninstitutionalized Spanish population.
PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand six hundred eighty-six persons aged 60 and older.
MEASUREMENTS: Sleep duration was reported in 2001 by asking the participants "How many hours do you usually sleep per day (day and night)" and classified into categories (4–5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10–15 h/d. The outcome variables were prevalent hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg, or antihypertensive treatment in 2001), control of blood pressure (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic pressure <90 mmHg in subjects receiving antihypertensive treatment in 2001), and incident hypertension (diagnosis of hypertension during 2001–2003 in individuals with normal pressure in 2001).
RESULTS: Compared with sleeping 7 hours, sleeping more or fewer hours was not significantly associated with prevalent hypertension (odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.64–1.05) to 1.10 (95% CI 0.83–1.46)), control of blood pressure (ORs ranged from 0.70 (95% CI 0.46–1.08) to 0.97 (95% CI 0.60–1.56)), or incident hypertension (OR ranged from 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–1.01) to 0.83 (95% CI 0.43–1.60)). The results were similar in both sexes.
CONCLUSION: Self-reported sleep duration is not associated with hypertension in older adults.     

Effects of a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Intervention on Serum Uric Acid in African Americans With Hypertension

Objective

To examine whether partial replacement of a diet typical of the average American diet with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)–related foods in the home environment lowers the serum uric acid (UA) level in individuals with hypertension.

Methods

We conducted an ancillary study of a randomized trial of African American adults with controlled hypertension from an urban clinic. Participants were assigned to either a control group or an intervention (DASH‐Plus) group. DASH‐Plus participants received coach‐directed dietary advice, assistance with purchasing DASH‐related foods ($30/week), and home delivery of food via a community supermarket. Participants in the control group received a DASH diet brochure and a debit card account ($30/week) to purchase foods. Serum UA levels were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.

Results

Of the original 123 randomized participants, 117 had available serum UA measurements. Seventy percent of the participants were women, the mean ± SD age was 59 ± 9.5 years, and the mean ± SD serum UA level was 6.4 ± 1.7 mg/dl. The DASH‐Plus diet did not reduce serum UA levels compared with the control diet (difference in difference –0.01 mg/dl [95% confidence interval –0.39, 0.38]). However, there was a significant trend toward a greater reduction in the serum UA level in participants with higher baseline serum UA levels (P for trend = 0.008). Baseline changes in the serum UA level were inversely associated with changes in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.001), and urinary sodium excretion (P = 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, in African American individuals, partial replacement of a typical diet with DASH foods did not lower serum UA levels compared with a control diet. However, there was a significant trend toward a greater reduction in serum UA levels in subjects with higher baseline serum UA levels. Furthermore, changes in serum UA levels were associated with known correlates, suggesting heterogeneity of effects in the treatment and control arms. Future pragmatic studies of consumption of the DASH diet to lower serum UA levels should optimize replacement strategies and enroll individuals with hyperuricemia or gout.

     

动态血压监测体检人群体重指数对血压水平影响的研究

目的探讨动态血压监测体检人群体重指数对血压水平的影响。方法选择行动态血压监测的体检者1198例,根据体重指数分为正常体重组316例、超重组524例和肥胖组358例,分析体重指数与动态血压各指标之间的关系。结果超重组和肥胖组24 h血压水平、24 h舒张压负荷、夜间收缩压负荷明显高于正常体重组(P<0.01)。肥胖组24 h舒张压变化标准差、夜间收缩压变化标准差明显高于正常体重组(P<0.01)。Pearson相关分析显示,体重指数与24 h血压水平、24 h血压负荷、24 h舒张压变化标准差、夜间收缩压变化标准差呈正相关。多元线性回归分析显示,体重指数与24 h血压水平、夜间血压负荷、24 h舒张压变化标准差显著相关。结论随着体重指数升高,24 h动态血压水平、血压负荷、血压变化标准差均明显增加。     

Nonpharmacologic intervention to reduce blood pressure in older patients with mild hypertension.

BACKGROUND--Although nonpharmacologic interventions are widely recommended in the therapy of high blood pressure in older adults, surprisingly little data exist to confirm the efficacy of these interventions in older persons. METHODS--We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial in persons aged 60 to 85 years with a diastolic blood pressure of 85 to 100 mm Hg. The experimental arm was a nonpharmacologic intervention combining weight reduction, sodium restriction, and increased physical activity. The nonpharmacologic intervention consisted of eight weekly group and two individual sessions during the intensive phase, followed by four monthly group sessions during the maintenance phase. The control group received no treatment during the study. Blood pressure was assessed by certified technicians (blinded to group assignment) using random zero sphygmomanometers. RESULTS--Of 56 participants randomized, 47 completed the entire 6-month trial (21 in the intervention group and 26 in the control group). Attendance at the intervention sessions was excellent. The intervention group lost more weight (-2.1 kg) over 6 months than the control group (+0.3 kg). Trends for decreasing 24-hour urine sodium excretion in both the intervention and control groups, with greater trend in the intervention group, were not statistically significant. The intervention group experienced more reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than did the control group (mean differences between groups at 6 months, 4.2/4.9 mm Hg, respectively). CONCLUSIONS--Our data indicate that a nonpharmacologic intervention will lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in older people with borderline or mild elevations of diastolic blood pressure.     

Abnormal Pulsatile Hemodynamics in Hypertensive Patients With Normalized 24‐Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure by Combination Therapy of Three or More Antihypertensive Agents

It remains uncertain whether intensive antihypertensive therapy can normalize pulsatile hemodynamics resulting in minimized residual cardiovascular risks. In this study, office and 24‐hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure, carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and forward (Pf) and reflected (Pb) pressure wave from a decomposed carotid pressure wave were measured in hypertensive participants. Among them, 57 patients whose 24‐hour SBP and DBP were normalized by three or more classes of antihypertensive medications were included. Another 57 age‐ and sex‐matched normotensive participants were randomly selected from a community survey. The well‐treated hypertensive patients had similar 24‐hour SBP, lower DBP, and higher PP values. The treated patients had higher PWV (11.7±0.3 vs 8.3±0.2 m/s, P<.001), Pf, Pb, Pb/Pf, and left ventricular mass index values. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and office SBP, the differences for PWV, Pb, and Pb/Pf remained significant. Hypertensive patients whose 24‐hour SBP and DBP are normalized may still have markedly increased arterial stiffness and wave reflection.     

A Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care system using cellular phones and the internet

Aims The rapidly increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is an important challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. To improve the quality and efficiency of chronic disease care, we investigated the effectiveness and applicability of the Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care (UCDC) system using cellular phones and the internet for overweight patients with both Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial over 3 months that included 123 patients at a university hospital and a community public health centre. Results After 12 weeks, there were significant improvements in HbA_1c in the intervention group (7.6 ± 0.9% to 7.1 ± 0.8%, P < 0.001) compared with the control group (7.4 ± 0.9% to 7.6 ± 1.0%, P = 0.03). Furthermore, we observed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as improvements in total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the intervention group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in adiponectin levels in the intervention group compared with the control group, although high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6 levels did not change in either group. Conclusions The novel UCDC system presented in this paper improved multiple metabolic parameters simultaneously in overweight patients with both Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.     

Treatment of Hypertension with Alternative Therapies (THAT) Study: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of spinal manipulation on blood pressure. DESIGN: This randomized clinical trial compared the effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation and diet with diet alone for lowering blood pressure in participants with high-normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension. Blood pressure observers were blinded to treatment group. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Berman Center for Clinical and Outcomes Research in Minnesota. Chiropractic treatments were administered by chiropractic physicians within private practice settings.PARTICIPANTS One hundred and forty men and women, aged 25-60 years, with high-normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension, were enrolled. One hundred and twenty-eight participants completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: (i) A dietary intervention program administered by a dietitian or (ii) a dietary intervention program administered by a doctor of chiropractic in conjunction with chiropractic spinal manipulation. The frequency of treatment for both groups was three times per week for 4 weeks, for a total of 12 visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes for this study were change from baseline in diastolic and systolic blood pressure. RESULTS: Study groups were comparable at baseline. Changes in potentially confounding covariates did not differ between groups. Average decreases in systolic/diastolic blood pressure were -4.9/5.6 mmHg for diet group and -3.5/4.0 mmHg for the chiropractic group. Between group changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with high normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension, chiropractic spinal manipulation in conjunction with a dietary modification program offered no advantage in lowering either diastolic or systolic blood pressure compared to diet alone.