Association of low diastolic blood pressure with all-cause death among US adults with normal systolic blood pressure

Although the effect of intensive systolic blood pressure lowering is widely recognized, treatment-related low diastolic blood pressure still worrisome. This was a prospective cohort study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adults (≥20 years old) with guideline-recommended blood pressure were included and pregnant women were excluded. Survey-weighted logistic regression and cox models were used for analysis. A total of 25 858 participants were included in this study. After weighted, the overall mean age of the participants was 43.17 (16.03) years, including 53.7% women and 68.1% non-Hispanic white. Numerous factors were associated with low DBP (<60 mmHg), including advanced age, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and diabetes. The use of antihypertensive drugs was also associated with lower DBP (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.26–1.83). DBP of less than 60 mmHg were associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.12–1.51) and cardiovascular death (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.00–1.79) compared to those with DBP between 70 and 80 mmHg. After regrouping, DBP <60 mmHg (no antihypertensive drugs) was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.21–1.75). DBP <60 mmHg after taking antihypertensive drugs was not associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.73–1.36). Antihypertensive drug is an important factor contributing to DBP below 60 mmHg. But the pre-existing risk does not increase further with an additional reduction of DBP after antihypertensive drugs treatment.     

Determinants of mortality among older adults with pressure ulcers

The presence of pressure ulcers imposes a huge burden on the older person's quality of life and significantly increases their risk of dying. The objective of this study was to determine patient characteristics associated with the presence of pressure ulcers and to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality among older patients with pressure ulcers. A prospective observational study was performed between Oct 2012 and May 2013. Patients with preexisting pressure ulcers on admission and those with hospital acquired pressure ulcers were recruited into the study. Information on patient demographics, functional status, nutritional level, stages of pressure ulcer and their complications were obtained. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to assess the risk of death in all patients. 76/684 (11.1%) patients had pre-existing pressure ulcers on admission and 30/684 (4.4%) developed pressure ulcers in hospital. There were 68 (66%) deaths by the end of the median follow-up period of 12 (IQR 2.5–14) weeks. Our Cox regression model revealed that nursing home residence (Hazard Ratio, HR = 2.33, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.30, 4.17; p = 0.005), infected deep pressure ulcers (HR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.26, 3.87; p = 0.006) and neutrophilia (HR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.05, 2.94; p = 0.031) were independent predictors of mortality in our elderly patients with pressure ulcers. The prevalence of pressure ulcers in our setting is comparable to previously reported figures in Europe and North America. Mortality in patients with pressure ulcer was high, and was predicted by institutionalization, concurrent infection and high neutrophil counts.     

中老年正常高值血压水平与冠状动脉性心脏病相关

目的探讨中老年正常高值血压人群血压水平与冠状动脉性心脏病(冠心病)的相关性。方法选取316例50岁以上接受冠状动脉造影检查的正常高值血压者,按照冠状动脉造影结果分为冠心病组(n=129)和非冠心病组(n=187)。对所有对象进行血压、身高、体质量测量,检测血脂指标。结果冠心病组舒张压低于非冠心病组[(73.1±8.9)比(77.0±8.0)mmHg],脉压高于非冠心病组[(55.9±10.5)比(51.2±9.5)mmHg]。对性别、年龄等常见冠心病危险因素调整后,较高的收缩压(≥130mmHg)、较低的舒张压(≤85mmHg)以及较大的脉压(≥60mmHg)与冠心病的发生相关,OR(95%CI)分别为1.60(1.04～2.46)、1.52(1.07～2.16)、1.90(1.06～3.39),均P<0.05。多因素Logistic逐步回归分析发现脉压≥60mmHg是冠心病的独立危险因素。结论在中老年正常高值血压人群中,较高的收缩压、较低的舒张压以及脉压增大与冠心病发生风险相关联,脉压≥60mmHg是冠心病的独立危险因素。     

Association of optimal blood pressure with mortality in patients taking antihypertensive medications

We investigated the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and mortality in patients taking antihypertensive medications in the Korean using data from the 2007‐2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. A total of 6601 patients aged 30‐74 years were included. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were both divided into four groups as follows: SBP < 120, 120 ≤ SBP ≤ 129 130 ≤ SBP ≤ 139, and SBP ≥ 140; DBP < 70, 70 ≤ DBP ≤ 79, 80 ≤ DBP ≤ 89, and DBP ≥ 90. The survival rates and hazard ratios were evaluated using Kaplan‐Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression analyses. To evaluate the predictability of all‐cause mortality according to SBP and/or DBP, we calculated Harrell''s concordance‐index. The lowest DBP group had a high risk of mortality regardless of the SBP status. The group with DBP < 70 mm Hg and SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg showed the highest mortality. The discriminatory ability calculated using Harrell''s C‐indexes was greater for the combination of SBP and DBP compared to DBP or SBP alone. These results suggest that it is more effective to simultaneously evaluate the effect of SBP and DBP to predict mortality; clinicians should manage DBP < 70 mm Hg when treating hypertensive patients.     

Association of resting heart rate and hypertension stages on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among elderly Koreans: the Kangwha Cohort Study

Background Elevated resting heart rate and hypertension independently increase the risk of mortality. However, their combined effect on mortality in stages of hypertension according to updated clinical guidelines among elderly population is unclear. Methods We followed a cohort of 6100 residents (2600 males and 3500 females) of Kangwha County, Korea, ranging from 55 to 99 year-olds as of March 1985, for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for 20.8 years until December 31, 2005. Mortality data were collected through telephone calls and visits (to 1991), and were confirmed by death record matching with the National Statistical Office (1992–2005). Hazard ratios were calculated for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by resting heart rate and hypertension defined by Eighth Joint National Committee criteria using the Cox proportional hazard model after controlling for confounding factors. Results The hazard ratios associated with resting heart rate > 80 beats/min were higher in hypertensive men compared with normotensives with heart rate of 61–79 beats/min, with hazard ratios values of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.00–1.92) on all-cause mortality for prehypertension, 3.01 (95% CI: 1.07–8.28) on cardiovascular mortality for prehypertension, and 8.34 (95% CI: 2.52–28.19) for stage 2 hypertension. Increased risk (HR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.16–9.21) was observed among those with both a resting heart rate ≥ 80 beats/min and prehypertension on cardiovascular mortality in women. Conclusions Individuals with coexisting elevated resting heart rate and hypertension, even in prehypertension, have a greater risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared to those with elevated resting heart rate or hypertension alone. These findings suggest that elevated heart rate should not be regarded as a less serious risk factor in elderly hypertensive patients.     

Association of an inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

This meta-analysis evaluated the potential association of a simultaneously measured inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD) and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. The Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched through to April 14, 2023 for relevant literature. The outcomes were the associations of IASBPD with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Finally, 10 cohort studies that included 15 320 individuals were included. An IASBPD of ≥15 mm Hg was associated with increased all-cause mortality (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.61) but an IASBPD of ≥10 mm Hg was not (pooled HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.89–1.85). The pooled HR for cardiovascular mortality was 1.88 (95% CI 1.31–2.71) for an IASBPD of ≥10 mm Hg and 1.93 (95% CI 1.24–2.99) for an IASBPD of ≥15 mm Hg. Subgroup analysis showed that younger patients (HR 9.03, 95% CI 2.00–40.82, p = .004) with an IASBPD ≥15 mm Hg were at higher risk of cardiovascular mortality than older patients (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.06–2.64, p = .03); the difference between groups was statistically significant (p = .04). In conclusions, our findings show that a simultaneously measured IASBPD ≥15 mm Hg predicts increased all-cause mortality and an IASBPD of ≥15 mm Hg or ≥10 mm Hg predicts increased cardiovascular mortality. An IASBPD ≥15 mm Hg appears to be more correlated with cardiovascular mortality in younger patients than in older patients.     

Coffee consumption and risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality among women with type 2 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis  Coffee has been linked to both beneficial and harmful health effects, but data on its relationship with cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes are sparse. Methods  This was a prospective cohort study including 7,170 women with diagnosed type 2 diabetes but free of cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline. Coffee consumption was assessed in 1980 and then every 2–4 years using validated questionnaires. A total of 658 incident cardiovascular events (434 coronary heart disease and 224 stroke) and 734 deaths from all causes were documented between 1980 and 2004. Results  After adjustment for age, smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors, the relative risks were 0.76 (95% CI 0.50–1.14) for cardiovascular diseases (p trend = 0.09) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.55–1.14) for all-cause mortality (p trend = 0.05) for the consumption of ≥4 cups/day of caffeinated coffee compared with non-drinkers. Similarly, multivariable RRs were 0.96 (95% CI 0.66–1.38) for cardiovascular diseases (p trend = 0.84) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.54–1.07) for all-cause mortality (p trend = 0.08) for the consumption of ≥2 cups/day of decaffeinated coffee compared with non-drinkers. Higher decaffeinated coffee consumption was associated with lower concentrations of HbA_1c (6.2% for ≥2 cups/day versus 6.7% for <1 cup/month; p trend = 0.02). Conclusions  These data provide evidence that habitual coffee consumption is not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases or premature mortality among diabetic women. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.     

Low exercise blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

The independent prognostic significance of abnormally low systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise stress testing (LowExBP) across different clinical and exercise conditions is unknown. We sought by systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between cardiovascular/all-cause outcomes and LowExBP across different patient clinical presentations, exercise modes, exercise intensities and categories of LowExBP.

Methods

Seven online databases were searched for longitudinal studies reporting the association of LowExBP with risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and/or all-cause mortality. LowExBP was defined as either: SBP drop below baseline; failure to increase >10 mmHg from baseline or; lowest SBP quantile among reporting studies.

Results

After review of 13,257 studies, 19 that adjusted for resting SBP were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 45,895 participants (average follow-up, 4.4 ± 3.0 years). For the whole population, LowExBP was associated with increased risk for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59–2.53, p < 0.001). In continuous analyses, a 10 mmHg decrease in exercise SBP was associated with higher risk (n = 9 HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06–1.20, p < 0.001). LowExBP was associated with increased risk regardless of clinical presentation (coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or peripheral artery disease), exercise mode (treadmill or bike), exercise intensity (moderate or maximal), or LowExBP category (all p < 0.05). However, bias toward positive results was apparent (Eggers test p < 0.001 and p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Our data show that irrespective of clinical or exercise conditions, LowExBP independently predicts fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停和心血管事件相关性的Mate分析

目的前期研究表明阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)可能会增加心血管疾病的风险,但基于各种条件的限制,该结论尚无定论。本研究旨在于通过系统性评估前瞻性队列研究来进一步分析OSA与心血管事件的相关性。方法系统性检索PubMed与EMbase等电子数据库,查找关于OSA与成年人冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(CHD,冠心病)、卒中及总心血管疾病(CVD)发生率之间的前瞻性队列研究。结果本研究共计纳入14项研究。与对照组相比,OSA组的心血管死亡率(OR=2.16,95%CI:1.4~3.18,P=0.03)、冠心病发病率(OR=1.49,95%CI:1.16~1.91,P=0.002)及高血压发生率(OR=1.82,95%CI:1.24~2.68,P=0.002)上存在统计学差异,而在心血管事件(OR=1.25,95%CI:0.38~4.13,P=0.72)、卒中发生率(OR=1.17,95%CI:0.75~1.82,P=0.50)及高脂血症发生率(OR=2.06,95%CI:0.96~4.44,P=0.06)方面,两组间无统计学差异。在亚组中,体质指数(BMI)≥30的OSA人群(OR=3.82,95%CI:1.90~7.68,P=0.0002)、OSA持续10年以上(OR=3.66,95%CI:2.07~6.47,P<0.00001)及中重度OSA患者(OR=3.52,95%CI:1.59~7.79,P<0.05)具有更高的心血管死亡率。结论这项研究证实OSA会增加心血管事件的死亡率,同时增加心血管事件的相关风险,尤其是中重度OSA患者。     

Within-visit variability of blood pressure and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among US adults

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:165–171. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The association between within‐visit variability of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and all‐cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality was examined using the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (n=15,317). Three SBP and DBP readings were taken by physicians during a single medical evaluation. Within‐visit variability for each participant was defined using the standard deviation of SBP and DBP across these measurements. Mortality was assessed over 14 years (n=3848 and n=1684 deaths from all causes and CVD, respectively). After age, sex, and race‐ethnicity adjustment, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all‐cause mortality associated with the 4 highest quintiles of within‐visit standard deviation of SBP (2.00–2.99 mm Hg, 3.00–3.99 mm Hg, 4.00–5.29 mm Hg, and ≥5.30 mm Hg) compared with participants in the lowest quintile of within‐visit standard deviation of SBP (<2.0 mm Hg) were 1.04 (0.87–1.26), 1.09 (0.92–1.29), 1.06 (0.88–1.28), and 1.13 (0.95–1.33), respectively (P=.136). The analogous hazard ratios for CVD mortality were 0.95 (0.69–1.32), 0.96 (0.67–1.36), 0.95 (0.74–1.23), and 1.04 (0.80–1.35), respectively (P=.566). No association with mortality was present after further adjustment and when modeling within‐visit standard deviation of SBP as a continuous variable. Standard deviation of DBP was not associated with mortality.     

Current status of aggressive blood pressure control

The concept of treatment of hypertension has gone through wide swings over the years.From ignoring blood pressure(BP)treatment initially,to aggressive BP control recently.As newer and more effective drugs were developed,it was possible to lower BP to very low levels.However,recent studies have shown that aggressive BP control might not be in the best interest of the patient.Low levels of diastolic BP(DBP)have been associated with increased cardiovascular events, a situation known as the J-curve effect.This has been seen mostly with low DBP,since the coronary arteries are perfused during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle.Due to an autoregulatory mechanism,the heart is protected against wide fluctuations of BP.However, the presence of coronary heart disease,hypertension, especially with left ventricular hypertrophy,shift the curve to higher BP levels and makes the heart more liable to DBP fluctuations.The J-Curve effect has been reported by most investigators,but not by others.Recently,a J-Curve effect has been observed with systolic BP(SBP),as well.In contrast to the heart,the brain is very infrequently subjected to J-curve effect,and in contrast to the heart,the brain’s blood flow autoregulation depends mostly on the SBP.A Medline search of the English literature on this subject was conducted between 1992 and 2010 and 11 pertinent articles were selected.These articles with collateral literature will be discussed in this concise review.     

Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography

BACKGROUND Obesity is a major health problem due to its high prevalence. The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease is unclear. Some studies agree that certain conditions associated with obesity, such as physical inactivity or cardiovascular risk factors, are responsible for cardiovascular risk excess among obese people. Carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques(CP) have been associated with cardiovascular adverse events in healthy populations, and recent data suggest a higher prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in obese and metabolically unhealthy patients. However, there are no studies correlating subclinical atherosclerosis and adverse events(AE) in obese subjects.AIM To determine the association between carotid disease and AE in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography(EE).METHODS From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, 2000 consecutive patients with a suspicion of coronary artery disease were submitted for EE and carotid ultrasonography. Exclusion criteria included previous vascular disease, left ventricular ejection fraction 50%, positive EE, significant valvular heart disease and inferior to submaximal EE. An AE was defined as all-cause mortality,myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as CP presence according to Manheim and the American Society of Echocardiography Consensus.RESULTS Of the 652 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 226(34.7%) had body mass indexes ≥ 30 kg/m2, and 76 of them(33.6%) had CP. During a mean follow-up time of 8.2(2.1) years, 27 AE were found(11.9%). Mean event-free survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 99.1%(0.6), 95.1%(1.4) and 86.5%(2.7), respectively. In univariate analysis, CP predicted AE [hazard ratio(HR) 2.52, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.17-5.46; P = 0.019]. In multivariable analysis, the presence of CP remained a predictor of AE(HR 2.26, 95%CI 1.04-4.95, P = 0.041). Other predictors identified were glomerular filtration rate(HR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-0.99; P= 0.023), peak metabolic equivalents(HR 0.83, 95%CI 0.70–0.99, P = 0.034) and moderate mitral regurgitation(HR 5.02, 95%CI 1.42–17.75, P = 0.012).CONCLUSION Subclinical atherosclerosis defined by CP predicts AE in obese patients with negative EE. These patients could benefit from aggressive prevention measures.     

Trends in blood pressure, hypertension control, and stroke mortality: the Minnesota Heart Survey

Objective

The study’s objective was to determine population trends in blood pressure, hypertension prevalence, hypertension control, and stroke mortality.

Methods

We performed population-based surveys of 2906 to 5630 adults from 1980 to 1982, 1985 to 1987, 1990 to 1992, 1995 to 1997, and 2000 to 2002, and stroke mortality from 1980 to 2002, in the Minneapolis/St Paul, Minn metropolitan area (2.63 million population according to the 2000 census). Randomly selected resident adults aged 25 to 74 years (n = 21 773) were each screened once. The main outcome measures were standardized measures of blood pressure, treatment and control of hypertension, and stroke mortality rates.

Results

The mean systolic blood pressure adjusted for age decreased in men (−1.5 mm Hg [95% confidence interval −0.3 to −2.7], P <.01) and women (−1.8 mm Hg [95% confidence interval −0.5 to −3.0], P <.001) from 1980 to 1982 and 2000 to 2002. The mean diastolic blood pressure was unchanged for men (0 mm Hg) and women (−0.4 mm Hg, not significant). The proportion of the population taking antihypertensive medications decreased in the 1990s but returned to 1980s levels from 2000 to 2002. The use of other methods to decrease blood pressure (diet, exercise, and weight loss) peaked in the 1990 to 1992 survey and then decreased. Proportions of hypertensive patients in the aware, treated, and/or controlled categories leveled in the 1980s and 1990s, but improved substantially from 1995 to 1997 and 2000 to 2002 with blood pressure controlled at the less than 140 and/or 90 mm Hg criteria in 44% of the men and 55% of the women. Population mortality trends for stroke paralleled those for hypertension control.

Conclusions

Population data beginning in 1980 to 1982 from the Minnesota Heart Survey indicate a leveling in the detection and control of hypertension in the 1990s followed by improvement from 2000 to 2002.     

Antihypertensive medication use and blood pressure control among treated older adults

The association of different antihypertensive regimens with blood pressure (BP) control is not well‐described among community‐dwelling older adults with low comorbidity. We examined antihypertensive use and BP control in 10 062 treated hypertensives from Australia and the United States (US) using baseline data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. Renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) drugs were the most prevalently used antihypertensive in both countries (Australia: 81.7% of all regimens; US: 62.9% of all regimens; P < .001). Diuretics were the next most commonly used antihypertensive in both countries, but were more often included in regimens of US participants (48.9%, vs 33.3% of regimens in Australia; P < .001). Among all antihypertensive classes and possible combinations, monotherapy with a RAS drug was the most common regimen in both countries, but with higher prevalence in Australian than US participants (35.9% vs 20.9%; P < .001). For both monotherapy and combination users, BP control rates across age, ethnicity, and sex were consistently lower in Australian than US participants. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, and BMI, significantly lower BP control rates remained in Australian compared to US participants for the most commonly used classes and regimens (RAS blocker monotherapy: BP control = 45.5% vs 54.2%; P = .002; diuretic monotherapy: BP control = 45.2% vs 64.5%; P = .001; and RAS blocker/diuretic combo: BP control = 50.2% vs 65.6%; P = .001). Our findings highlight variation in antihypertensive use in older adults treated for hypertension, with implications for BP control. Differences in BP control that were observed may be influenced, in part, by reasons other than choice of specific regimens.     

The value of lowering blood pressure

According to the Canadian Heart Health Survey, only 14% of Canadian hypertensive patients are aware of their disease and are treated appropriately. One of the reasons for this could be that physicians are confused by an excess of confusing and contradictory information regarding the choice of drugs. Two recent publications may contribute to a much-needed simplification of the problem. The Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists' Collaboration published a meta-analysis based on 29 randomized trials that comprised a total of more that 162,000 participants. The treatment regimens were based on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. The main finding of the meta-analysis was that treatment with any of the blood pressure-lowering regimens reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events, and the extent of these risk reductions was directly related to the degree of blood pressure lowering. The Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation (VALUE) compared valsartan with amlodipine. At the end of the study, the reductions in blood pressure from baseline were 17.3/9.9 mmHg in the amlodipine group and 15.2/8.2 mmHg in the valsartan group (P<0.0001). There was a significantly lower incidence of myocardial infarction in the amlodipine group (4.1%) than in the valsartan group (4.8%). From these two studies, it would be reasonable to conclude that the treatment of elevated blood pressure has two main goals: to achieve a normal blood pressure and to produce a happy patient. The agent or agents used to obtain these goals are relatively unimportant.     

Late-career unemployment and all-cause mortality,functional disability and depression among the older adults in Taiwan: A 12-year population-based cohort study

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether late-career unemployment is associated with increased all-cause mortality, functional disability, and depression among older adults in Taiwan.MethodIn this long-term prospective cohort study, data were retrieved from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. This study was conducted from 1996 to 2007. The complete data from 716 men and 327 women aged 50–64 years were retrieved. Participants were categorized as normally employed or unemployed depending on their employment status in 1996. The cumulative number of unemployment after age 50 was also calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of the association between late-career unemployment and cumulative number of late-career unemployment on all-cause mortality, functional disability, and depression in 2007.ResultsThe average age of the participants in 1996 was 56.3 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 7.0]. A total of 871 participants were in the normally employed group, and 172 participants were in the unemployed group. After adjustment of gender, age, level of education, income, self-rated health and major comorbidities, late-career unemployment was associated with increased all-cause mortality [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.74–4.47] and functional disability [OR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.54–3.55]. The cumulative number of late-career unemployment was also associated with increased all-cause mortality [OR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.35–2.70] and functional disability [OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.55–3.55].ConclusionLate-career unemployment and cumulative number of late-career unemployment are associated with increased all-cause mortality and functional disability. Older adults should be encouraged to maintain normal employment during the later stage of their career before retirement. Employers should routinely examine the fitness for work of older employees to prevent future unemployment.     

Association of West African ancestry and blood pressure control among African Americans taking antihypertensive medication in the Jackson Heart Study

African Americans have a wide range of continental genetic ancestry. It is unclear whether racial differences in blood pressure (BP) control are related to ancestral background. The authors analyzed data from the Jackson Heart Study, a cohort exclusively comprised of self‐identified African Americans, to assess the association between estimated West African ancestry (WAA) and BP control (systolic and diastolic BP < 140/90 mm Hg). Three nested modified Poisson regression models were used to calculate prevalence ratios for BP control associated with the three upper quartiles, separately, vs the lowest quartile of West African ancestry. The authors analyzed data from 1658 participants with hypertension who reported taking all of their antihypertensive medications in the previous 24 hours. WAA was estimated using 389 ancestry informative markers and categorized into quartiles (Q1: <73.7%, Q2: >73.7%‐81.0%, Q3: >81.0%‐86.3%, and Q4: >86.3%). The proportion of participants with controlled BP in the lowest‐to‐highest WAA quartile was 75.2%, 76.1%, 76.6%, and 74.4%. The prevalence ratios (95% CI) for controlled BP comparing Q2, Q3, and Q4 to Q1 of WAA were 1.00 (0.93‐1.08), 1.02 (0.94‐1.10), and 0.99 (0.91‐1.07), respectively. Among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study taking antihypertensive medication, BP control rates did not differ across quartiles of WAA.