HOPE Asia Network Research Articles

The HOPE Asia Network consensus on blood pressure measurements corresponding to office measurements: Automated office, home, and ambulatory blood pressures.

For adopting recently introduced hypertension phenotypes categorized using office and out of office blood pressure (BP) for the diagnosis of hypertension and antihypertension drug therapy, it is mandatory to define the corresponding out of office BP with the specific target BP recommended by the major guidelines. Such conditions include white-coat hypertension (WCH), masked hypertension (MH), white-coat uncontrolled hypertension (WUCH), and masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH). Here, the authors review the relevant literature and discuss the related issue to facilitate the use of corresponding BPs for proper diagnosis of WCH, MH, WUCH, and MUCH in the setting of standard target BP as well as intensive target BP. The methodology of deriving the corresponding BP has evolved from statistical methods such as standard deviation, percentile value, and regression to an outcome-based approach using pooled international cohort study data and comparative analysis in randomized clinical trials for target BPs such as the SPRINT and STEP studies. Corresponding BPs to 140/90 and 130/80mm Hg in office BP is important for safe and strict achievement of intensive BP targets. The corresponding home, daytime, and 24-h BPs to 130/80mm Hg in office BP are 130/80, 130/80, and 125/75mm Hg, respectively. However, researchers have found some discrepancies among the home corresponding BPs. As tentative criterion for de-escalation of antihypertensive therapy as shown in European guidelines was 120mm Hg in office BP, corresponding home, daytime, and 24-h systolic BPs to 120mm Hg in office systolic BP are 120, 120, and 115mm Hg, respectively.

Obstructive sleep apnea and non-dipper: epiphenomena or risks of Alzheimer's disease?: a review from the HOPE Asia Network.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and associated nocturnal blood pressure (BP) surges is associated with non-dipper. On the other hand, the relationship between neurodegenerative diseases and non-dipper hypertension has been reported. To date, few studies have evaluated the relationships of nocturnal BP dipping patterns and OSA in relation to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review examines the etiology of the association between OSA and the non-dipper pattern of hypertension and how both are involved in the development of AD. To set the stage for this review, we first focus on the pathophysiology of AD, which is interrelated with sleep apnea and non-dipper through dysregulation of central autonomic network.

Cognitive impairment in heart failure patients: association with abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm: a review from the HOPE Asia Network.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is frequently a comorbid condition in heart failure (HF) patients, and is associated with increased cardiovascular events and death. Numerous factors contribute to CI in HF patients. Decreased cerebral blood flow, inflammation, and activation of neurohumoral factors are all thought to be factors that exacerbate CI. Hypoperfusion of the brain due to decreased systemic blood flow, cerebral venous congestion, and atherosclerosis are the main mechanism of CI in HF patients. Abnormal circadian BP rhythm is one of the other conditions associated with CI. The conditions in which BP does not decrease sufficiently or increases during the night are called non-dipper or riser BP patterns. Abnormal circadian BP rhythm worsens CI in HF patients through cerebral congestion during sleep and atherosclerosis due to pressure overload. Interventions for CI in HF patients include treatment for HF itself using cardiovascular drugs, and treatment for fluid retention, one of the causes of abnormal circadian rhythms. Proposed pathways of cognitive impairment in heart failure through abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm.

Home blood pressure-centered approach - from digital health to medical practice: HOPE Asia Network consensusstatement 2023.

Recent innovations in digital technology have enabled the simultaneous accumulation, and the linking and analysis of time-series big data relating to several factors that influence blood pressure (BP), including biological indicators, physical activity, and environmental information. Various approaches can be used to monitor BP: in the office/clinic; at home; 24-h ambulatory recording; or with wearable and cuffless devices. Of these, home BP monitoring is a reliable and convenient method, and is recommended for hypertension management by current national and international guidelines. This recommendation is based on evidence showing that home BP is an important predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and kidney disease in patients with hypertension. In addition, lifetime personalized health record (PHR)-based home BP with telemonitoring combined with co-interventions has been shown to lower BP more effectively than the traditional approach based on office BP. Thus, home BP represents a key metric for personalized anticipation medicine, from digital healthcare to digital medicine. This paper summarizes the latest evidence on home BP monitoring and proposes a Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention and Evidence in Asia (HOPE Asia) Network consensus on a home BP-centered approach to the management of hypertension.

Is a unified blood pressure threshold feasible in the current scenario?: Commentary on the article"130/80mmHg as a unifying hypertension threshold for office brachial, office central and ambulatory daytime brachial blood pressure": Commentary on the article"130/80mmHg as a unifying hypertension threshold for office brachial, office central and ambulatory daytime brachial blood pressure".

Is a unified blood pressure threshold feasible in the current scenario?: Commentary on the article"130/80mmHg as a unifying hypertension threshold for office brachial, office central and ambulatory daytime brachial blood pressure": Commentary on the article"130/80mmHg as a unifying hypertension threshold for office brachial, office central and ambulatory daytime brachial blood pressure".

The HOPE Asia network 2022 up-date consensus statement on morning hypertension management.

Morning hypertension is an important clinical target in the management of hypertension for perfect 24‐h blood pressure (BP) control. Morning hypertension is generally categorized into two types: “morning surge” type and “sustained nocturnal and morning hypertension” type. The “morning surge” type is characterized by an exaggerated morning blood pressure surge (MBPS), and the “sustained nocturnal and morning hypertension” type with continuous hypertension from nighttime to morning (non‐dipper/riser type). They can be detected by home and ambulatory blood pressure measurements (HBPM and ABPM). These two forms of morning hypertension both increase the risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases, but may occur via different pathogenic mechanisms and are associated with different conditions. Morning hypertension should be treated to achieve a morning BP level of < 135/85 mmHg, regardless of the office BP. The second target morning BP levels is < 125/75 mmHg for high‐risk patients with morning hypertension and concomitant diseases. Morning hypertension is more frequently found in Asians, than in Westerners. Thus, the management of morning hypertension is especially important in Asia. The detection of morning hypertension and the individual home BP‐guided treatment approach targeting morning BP in combination with ABPM, and the optimal treatment of morning hypertension would reduce cardiovascular events in Asia.

Seven-action approaches for the management of hypertension in Asia - The HOPE Asia network.

Asia is a large continent and there is significant diversity between countries and regions. Over the last 30 years, absolute blood pressure (BP) levels in Asia have increased to a greater extent than those in other regions. In diverse Asia‐Pacific populations, for choosing an Asia‐specific approach to hypertension management is important to prevent target organ damage and cardiovascular diseases. In this consensus document of HOPE Asia Network, we introduce seven action approaches for management of hypertension in Asia.

Comparison of guidelines for the management of hypertension: Similarities and differences between international and Asian countries; perspectives from HOPE-Asia Network.

Guidelines on the management of hypertension have been developed by various professional bodies and institutions to primarily address the issues of diagnosis, treatment, and control in order to rationalize and improve the management of hypertension. Hypertension guidelines across the world have recently been updated following the new and controversial lower blood pressure threshold of ≥130/80 mmHg for the diagnosis of hypertension adopted by the Americans. While there are differences between the major as well as between the Asian national guidelines, there were also many similarities. This paper discusses and highlights the differences and similarities between the major international guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, of the European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension, and of the International Society of Hypertension and also compares them with the Asian guidelines.

Current status of adherence interventions in hypertension management in Asian countries: A report from the HOPE Asia Network.

Adherence continues to be the major hurdle in hypertension management. Since the early 2000s, systematic approaches have been emphasized to tackle multi‐dimensional issues specific for each regional setting. However, there is little data regarding implementation of adherence interventions in Asian countries. Eleven hypertension experts from eight Asian countries answered questionnaires regarding the use of adherence interventions according to 11 theoretical domain frameworks by Allemann et al. A four‐point Likert scale: Often, Sometimes, Seldom, and Never used was administered. Responses to 97 items from 11 domains excluding three irrelevant items were collected. “Often‐used” interventions accounted for 5/9 for education, 1/8 for skills, 1/2 for social/professional role and identity, 1/1 for belief about capabilities, 0/3 for belief about consequences, 2/4 for intentions, 2/9 for memory, attention, and decision process, 11/20 for environmental context and resources, 0/2 for social influences, 0/2 for emotion, and 2/2 for behavioral regulation. Most of them are dependent on conventional resources. Most of “Never used” intervention were the adherence interventions related to multidisciplinary subspecialties or formal training for behavioral therapy. For adherence interventions recommended by 2018 ESC/ESH hypertension guidelines, only 1 in 7 patient level interventions was “Often used.” In conclusion, conventional or physician level interventions such as education, counseling, and prescription have been well implemented but multidisciplinary interventions and patient or health system level interventions are in need of better implementation in Asian countries.

Mental health problems and hypertension in the elderly: Review from the HOPE Asia Network.

The “triple burden” of aging population, hypertension, and mental health problems making elderly in Asia is more vulnerable. There is evidence of a bidirectional relationship between mental health and hypertension, which results in lower quality of life, lower rate of treatment adherence, and higher mortality among elderly individuals. It is essential to overcome known barriers and care for the elderly with high‐risk factors in order to address these burdens. This review revealed that elderly with hypertension were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Therefore, debunking myths, creating awareness regarding mental health, and increasing access to mental health resources through holistic community‐based programs would greatly reduce such problems and optimize the chances of success in controlling hypertension‐related problems.

COVID-19 and hypertension-evidence and practical management: Guidance from the HOPE Asia Network.

There are several risk factors for worse outcomes in patients with coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID‐19). Patients with hypertension appear to have a poor prognosis, but there is no direct evidence that hypertension increases the risk of new infection or adverse outcomes independent of age and other risk factors. There is also concern about use of renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors due to a key role of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptors in the entry of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus into cells. However, there is little evidence that use of RAS inhibitors increases the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus infection or worsens the course of COVID‐19. Therefore, antihypertensive therapy with these agents should be continued. In addition to acute respiratory distress syndrome, patients with severe COVID‐19 can develop myocardial injury and cytokine storm, resulting in heart failure, arteriovenous thrombosis, and kidney injury. Troponin, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, D‐dimer, and serum creatinine are biomarkers for these complications and can be used to monitor patients with COVID‐19 and for risk stratification. Other factors that need to be incorporated into patient management strategies during the pandemic include regular exercise to maintain good health status and monitoring of psychological well‐being. For the ongoing management of patients with hypertension, telemedicine‐based home blood pressure monitoring strategies can facilitate maintenance of good blood pressure control while social distancing is maintained. Overall, multidisciplinary management of COVID‐19 based on a rapidly growing body of evidence will help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, including those with risk factors such as hypertension.

The HOPE Asia Network activity for "zero" cardiovascular events in Asia: Overview 2020.

The impact of hypertension-related cardiovascular disease and target organ damage, and therefore the benefits of blood pressure (BP) control, is greater in Asian than in Western countries. Asia-specific features of hypertension and its effective management are important and active areas of research. The Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention and Evidence in Asia (HOPE Asia) Network was formed in 2016 and is now a member of the World Hypertension League. The main goal of the HOPE Asia Network is to improve the management of hypertension and organ protection toward achieving "zero" cardiovascular events in Asia. Considerable work has already been done on the journey to achieving this goal. We have shown that BP control status in Asia differs between countries, and even between regions within the same country. Several expert panel consensus recommendations and clinical guidance papers are available to support the use of home and ambulatory BP monitoring in the region. In addition, the AsiaBP@Home study prospectively investigated home BP control status across 15 specialist centers using the same validated device and measurement schedule. We have also proposed the concept of systemic hemodynamic atherothrombotic syndrome (SHATS), a vicious cycle of BP variability and vascular disease on cardiovascular events and organ damage, and suggested a SHATS score for risk stratification for clinical practice. This special issue of the journal collates Asia-specific resources and data, contributing to advances in hypertension management and cardiovascular disease prevention in the region.

An overview of hypertension and cardiac involvement in Asia: Focus on heart failure.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of deaths worldwide, contributing to about 30% of all deaths. Half of the cases of CVD are estimated in Asia, the world's most populous continent. Hypertension, a major modifiable risk factor for CVD, results in more deaths than any other CV risk factors in the Asian regions. The total number of patients with hypertension is likely to grow as the population ages. The proportion of the elderly population aged 65years or more in Asia is expected to increase from 7.4% in 2015 to 10.9% in 2030. It is important to note that more than half (54%) of the world's population live in Asia. Aside of being the biggest single risk factor for global deaths, hypertension is also an important precursor and most common risk factor of heart failure (HF). An increase in HF prevalence is clearly related to the rapid epidemiological transition caused by changes in lifestyle in Asian countries. However, the availability of data on HF burden and health care delivery is limited in Asia compared with Europe and North America. This reality has driven the working group of Asian experts for example the HOPE Asia Network to concentrate on hypertension as risk factors for CVD, with the mission to improve the management of hypertension resulting in organ protection toward a goal of achieving "ZERO" CV event in Asia. This paper aims to give an overview regarding the heart problems caused by hypertension in Asia, focus on HF.

Asian management of hypertension: Current status, home blood pressure, and specific concerns in Singapore.

Despite reductions in hypertension prevalence and improvements in control rates in recent years, almost one-third of all deaths in Singapore are due to cardiovascular disease and that proportion is growing. Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of cardiovascular death, ahead of stroke. Local data suggest that awareness and support for home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is good, but there are reservations about the accuracy of HBPM devices and physicians cited a lack of time and resources to educate patients about HBPM. In addition, there was a knowledge gap around use of HBPM for evaluating treatment response. This is consistent with the emphasis of using HBPM for the diagnosis, rather than monitoring, of hypertension in the Singapore hypertension guidelines. In the absence of specific HBPM thresholds and targets, it is suggested that HOPE Asia Network consensus documents provide the most locally relevant guidance of the use of HBPM. Calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers are the most commonly used antihypertensive agents in Singapore, and monotherapy was relatively uncommon (24%) of patients. Overall, more needs to be done in detecting and managing hypertension in Singapore to address rates of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease mortality. Use of HBPM needs to be encouraged to improve adherence to treatment and optimize BP targets according to Asian perspectives and data.

2020 Consensus summary on the management of hypertension in Asia from the HOPE Asia Network.

Hypertension professionals from Asia have been meeting together for the last decade to discuss how to improve the management of hypertension. Based on these education and research activities, the Hypertension, brain, cardiovascular and renal Outcome Prevention and Evidence in Asia (HOPE Asia) Network was officially established in June 2018 and includes experts from 12 countries/regions across Asia. Among the numerous research and review papers published by members of the HOPE Asia Network since 2017, publications in three key areas provide important guidance on the management of hypertension in Asia. This article highlights key consensus documents, which relate to the Asian characteristics of hypertension, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM), and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Hypertension and hypertension-related diseases are common in Asia, and their characteristics differ from those in other populations. It is essential that these are taken into consideration to provide the best opportunity for achieving "perfect 24-hour blood pressure control", guided by out-of-office (home and ambulatory) blood pressure monitoring. These region-specific consensus documents should contribute to optimizing individual and population-based hypertension management strategies in Asian country. In addition, the HOPE Asia Network model provides a good example of the local interpretation, modification, and dissemination of international best practice to benefit specific populations.

Diversity of and initiatives for hypertension management in Asia-Why we need the HOPE Asia Network.

The Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention and Evidence in Asia (HOPE Asia) Network was set up to improve the management of hypertension in Asia with the ultimate goal of achieving "zero" cardiovascular events. Asia is a diverse continent, and the prevalence of hypertension has increased over the last 30years. There are a number of Asia-specific features of hypertension and hypertension-related cardiovascular complications, which means that a region-specific approach is needed. White-coat hypertension will become more of an issue over time as Asian populations age, and masked hypertension is more prevalent in Asian than in Western countries. Identifying and treating masked hypertension is important to reduce cardiovascular risk. Abnormal patterns of blood pressure (BP) variability common in Asia include exaggerated early morning BP surge and nocturnal hypertension. These are also important cardiovascular risk factors that need to be managed. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is an important tool for detecting white-coat and masked hypertension, and monitoring BP variability, and practices in Asia are variable. Use of HBPM is important given the Asia-specific features of hypertension, and strategies are needed to improve and standardize HBPM usage. Development of HBPM devices capable of measuring nocturnal BP along with other information and communication technology-based strategies are key developments in the widespread implementation of anticipation medicine strategies to detect and prevent cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Region-wide differences in hypertension prevalence, control, and management practices in Asia highlight the importance of information sharing to facilitate best practices.

Current status of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Asian countries: A report from the HOPE Asia Network.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can measure 24-hour blood pressure (BP), including nocturnal BP and diurnal variations. This feature of ABPM could be of value in Asian populations for preventing cardiovascular events. However, no study has yet investigated regardingthe use of ABPM in actual clinical settings in Asian countries/regions. In this study, 11 experts from 11 countries/regions were asked to answer questionnaires regarding the use of ABPM. We found that its use was very limited in primary care settings and almost exclusively available in referral settings. The indications of ABPM in actual clinical settings were largely similar to those of home BP monitoring (HBPM), that is, diagnosis of white-coat or masked hypertension and more accurate BP measurement for borderline clinic BP. Other interesting indications, such as nighttime BP patterns, including non-dipper BP, morning BP surge, and BP variability, werehardly adopted in dailyclinical practice. The use of ABPM as treatment guidance for detecting treated butuncontrolled hypertension in the Asian countries/regions didn'tseem to be common. The barrier to the use of ABPM was primarily its availability; in referral centers, patient reluctance owing to discomfort or sleep disturbance was the most frequent barrier. ABPM use was significantly more economical when it was reimbursed by public insurance. To facilitate ABPM use, more simplified indications and protocols to minimize discomfort should be sought. For the time being, HBPM could be a reasonable alternative.

Expert panel consensus recommendations for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Asia: The HOPE Asia Network.

Hypertension is an important public health issue because of its association with a number of significant diseases and adverse outcomes. However, there are important ethnic differences in the pathogenesis and cardio-/cerebrovascular consequences of hypertension. Given the large populations and rapidly aging demographic in Asian regions, optimal strategies to diagnose and manage hypertension are of high importance. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is an important out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement tool that should play a central role in hypertension detection and management. The use of ABPM is particularly important in Asia due to the specific features of hypertension in Asian patients, including a high prevalence of masked hypertension, disrupted BP variability with marked morning BP surge, and nocturnal hypertension. This HOPE Asia Network document summarizes region-specific literature on the relationship between ABPM parameters and cardiovascular risk and target organ damage, providing a rationale for consensus-based recommendations on the use of ABPM in Asia. The aim of these recommendations is to guide and improve clinical practice to facilitate optimal BP monitoring with the goal of optimizing patient management and expediting the efficient allocation of treatment and health care resources. This should contribute to the HOPE Asia Network mission of improving the management of hypertension and organ protection toward achieving "zero" cardiovascular events in Asia.

Hypertension and Dementia: A comprehensive review from the HOPE Asia Network.

Approximately 365 million people in Asia were classified as elderly in 2017. This number is rising and expected to reach approximately 520 million by 2030. The risk of hypertension and cognitive impairment/dementia increases with age. Recent data also show that the prevalence of hypertension and age-related dementia are rising in Asian countries. Moreover, not many people in Asian countries are aware of the relationship between hypertension and cognitive impairment/dementia. Furthermore, hypertension control is poorer in Asia than in developed countries. Hypertension is known to be a major risk factor for damage to target organs, including the brain. Decreased cognitive function can indicate the presence of target organ damage in the brain. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure profiles and blood pressure variability have been associated with cognitive impairment and/or silent cerebral diseases, such as silent cerebral infarction or white matter lesions, which are predisposing conditions for cognitive impairment and dementia. Hypertension that occurs in midlife also affects the incidence of cognitive impairments in later life. Managing and controlling blood pressure could preserve cognitive functions, such as by reducing the risk of vascular dementia and by reducing the global burden of stroke, which also affects cognitive function.

Morning surge in blood pressure and blood pressure variability in Asia: Evidence and statement from the HOPE Asia Network.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To effectively prevent end-organ damage, maintain vascular integrity and reduce morbidity and mortality, it is essential to decrease and adequately control blood pressure (BP) throughout each 24-hour period. Exaggerated early morning BP surge (EMBS) is one component of BP variability (BPV), and has been associated with an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular events, independently of 24-hour average BP. BPV includes circadian, short-term and long-term components, and can best be documented using out-of-office techniques such as ambulatory and/or home BP monitoring. There is a large body of evidence linking both BPV and EMBS with increased rates of adverse cardio- and cerebrovascular events, and end-organ damage. Differences in hypertension and related cardiovascular disease rates have been reported between Western and Asian populations, including a higher rate of stroke, higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, greater salt sensitivity and more common high morning and nocturnal BP readings in Asians. This highlights a need for BP management strategies that take into account ethnic differences. In general, long-acting antihypertensives that control BP throughout the 24-hour period are preferred; amlodipine and telmisartan have been shown to control EMBS more effectively than valsartan. Home and ambulatory BP monitoring should form an essential part of hypertension management, with individualized pharmacotherapy to achieve optimal 24-hour BP control particularly the EMBS and provide the best cardio- and cerebrovascular protection. Future research should facilitate better understanding of BPV, allowing optimization of strategies for the detection and treatment of hypertension to reduce adverse outcomes.