Study Examines Use of Interactive Apps to Help Reduce Blood Pressure

It was supposed to be done over nine years, but was halted earlier so its results could be shared sooner. The answer: way lower than the current guidelines. The aim of course is to bring it down, but how far and how aggressively remained a mystery. “The DASH diet and a low sodium diet are usually worth the same amount of blood pressure reduction as in a single drug”, said Pack.

The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) was launched to determine whether adjusting the dosage, number and types of blood pressure medication to achieve a target systolic pressure of 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) rather than the now recommended 140 mm Hg reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Doctors have long known that systolic blood pressure below 120 was considered normal and meant a lower risk of heart disease and kidney problems.

One-third of all Americans suffer from high blood pressure, and everyone has a loved one with high blood pressure, so this concern is relevant to the entire country.

Betsy Blazek-O’Neill, medical director of Allegheny General Hospital’s Integrated Medicine Program, said people should quit smoking, start a walking program if they aren’t already exercising, eliminate processed foods “loaded with ingredients that increase the risk of unhealthy blood pressure elevation” and undergo daily stress management.

Hypertension is said to be the most common condition seen by primary care givers and, if left untreated, can cause heart attacks and strokes, and even death. “It means that if you’re age 32 with BP 144/90, you’ll get the same approach as someone with the same blood pressure who is 62 years old and is smoking and has family history of heart disease”.

The study ventured into unknown territory that some had found a bit frightening. Losing weight can lower systolic blood pressure as much as taking medication. The most popular, Bisognano said, are the “ABCDs”: _ design blockers, early binders, bone building calcium passage binders and diuretic aids. “The question has been how low should we be lowering the blood pressure“. Twenty-eight per cent of the subjects in the new study were older than 75.

A recent study undertaken by the National Institutes of Health focused on two groups of people. But the panel recommended a goal of 150 for people ages 60 and older, arguing that there were no convincing data showing lower is better. It makes arteries more flexible and better able to dilate, which directly reduces systolic blood pressure, he said.

Raj says that the research have huge implications on the way physicians treat patients with high blood pressure thereby benefiting adults aged 50 and above.

Meanwhile, what’s the advice for patients now struggling to control their blood pressure? Most of these medicines have their effect within a week or two. Those assigned to below 120 took an average of three drugs. “So, the blood pressure fluctuates from the highest value of the systolic blood pressure down to the lowest value, the diastolic blood pressure, with each beating of the heart”. Therefore, eating approximately 400 calories of dark chocolate per day, over two to eight weeks, can lower one’s systolic blood pressure by 2 points.

Dr Suzanne Oparil, a blood pressure expert at the University of Alabama in Birmingham who was co-chairwoman of the heart institute committee that advised higher blood pressure goals was elated by the results. “But it depends on whether the patient is motivated”, she said. “We’re excited”.

Sekhar says the impact of the study results could be substantial. Heart institute administrators and researchers looked at the data and agreed.

In all, 153,092 participants qualified for inclusion in the study.

Study investigators did not anticipate that the study would so suddenly end after just a few years. It’s also a solid reminder to me and other medical reporters not to hype the next diet or vitamin study. Typically, patients who need more than one medication would take one from each of these classes.

Try “higi” from www.higi.com, a platform website that uses wearable technologies and apps to present an low-priced and fun way to make people monitor their own blood pressure.