Uncontrolled Systolic Hypertension Research Articles

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF A FIXED DOSE COMBINATION OF AMLODIPINE AND INDAPAMIDE IN PATIENTS OLDER THAN 55 YEARS

Objective: There is very limited real-life data on hypertension management in Bangladeshi population. Considering this fact, this study evaluated the effectiveness of treatment with an indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC) in Bangladeshi patients over the age of 55 years, in an OPD setting with uncontrolled systolic hypertension in real-life clinical practice. Methods: This was a 3-month, multicenter, observational, open-label study conducted in 3 divisional cities of Bangladesh among patients with grade I or II hypertension who were either uncontrolled on previous antihypertensive treatment or treatment-naïve. The effectiveness of indapamide/amlodipine SPC was assessed by the change in office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the rate of target SBP (< 140 mmHg) achievement at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, in four age groups: 55-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80 years or older. Design and method: The COMBINE study recruited 213 patients, of whom 185 took indapamide/amlodipine 1.5/5 mg SPC fora full three-month course of therapy. Mean age was 62.4±7.4 years, 76 men [41.1%] and 109 women [58.9%]. The absolute decrease of SBP during 3 months of taking indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC) was 29.3 mm Hg, DBP - 12.9 mm Hg. After 3 months of treatment significant SBP decreases from baseline were observed in each age group: ? 31.8 mmHg (from 156.7 to 124.9), ? 26.4 mmHg (from 152.7 to 126.3), ? 29.5 mmHg (from 152.8 to 123.3), and ? 25.8 mmHg (from 151.7 to 125.9) in the 55-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and older age groups, respectively. Leg edema was observed in 3 patients (1.62%), electrolyte imbalance was observed in 4 patients (2.16%) and 1 patients observed sudden fall of blood pressure. Conclusion: This COMBINE study results showed that indapamide/amlodipine SPC was associated with significant and rapid reductions in BP even in a different age range of Bangladeshi patients in routine clinical practice. This study result is consistent with already achieved data of this SPC globally.

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fixed Dose Combination of Amlodipine And Indapamide in Patients Older Than 55 Years

Background: There is very limited real-life data on hypertension management in Bangladeshi population. Considering this fact, this study evaluated the effectiveness of treatment with an indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC) in Bangladeshi patients over the age of 55 years, in an OPD setting with uncontrolledsystolic hypertension in real-life clinical practice. Methods: This was a 3-month, multicenter, observational, open-label study conducted in 3 divisional cities of Bangladesh among patients with grade I or II hypertensions who were either uncontrolled on previous antihypertensive treatment or treatment-naïve. The effectiveness of indapamide/amlodipine SPC was assessed by the change in office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the rate of target SBP (< 140 mmHg)achievement at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, in four age groups: 55–59 years, 60–69 years, 70–79 years, and80 years or older. Results: The COMBINE study recruited 213 patients, of whom 185 took indapamide/amlodipine 1.5/5 mg SPC forafull three-month course of therapy.Mean age was 62.4±7.4 years, 76 men [41.1%] and 109 women [58.9%]. The absolute decrease of SBP during 3 months of taking indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC) was 27.7 mm Hg, DBP - 10.2 mm Hg.After 3 months of treatment significant SBPdecreases from baseline were observed in each age group:”29.9 mmHg (from 156.7 to 126.8),”25.1 mmHg (from 152.7 to 127.6),”26.1 mmHg (from 152.8 to 126.7),and “ 24.5 mmHg (from 151.8 to 127.3)in the 55–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80 years and older age groups, respectively. Conclusion: This COMBINE study results showed that indapamide/amlodipine SPC was associated with significant and rapid reductions in BP even in a different age range of Bangladeshi patients in routine clinical practice. This study result is consistent with already achieved data of this SPC globally. Bangladesh J Medicine 2023; Vol. 34, No. 2(1) Supplement: 200

Left ventricular hypertrophy in children and adolescents before and after kidney transplantation.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with a premature death in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied its change over time, related to a successful kidney transplantation (KTx) and assessed whether clinical variables were associated with the left ventricular mass index (LVMI). We obtained the records of all children and adolescents, who were followed-up at the tertiary nephrology centre for children at the Children's University Hospital in Kosice, Slovakia, during 2008-2014, had completed echocardiographic studies while on chronic dialysis and had undergone a successful KTx, n=25. We assessed the longitudinally recorded left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and the presence/absence of LVH, and risk factors for LVH. The average prevalence of LVH was 23.5 % while on dialysis, and 29.4 % after KTx (p=0.06). Pre-post changes per patient were relatively big. Uncontrolled systolic hypertension was significantly related to LVMI (p=0.03). LVH is common after paediatric KTx and the reversibility of already present LVH seems to be rather problematic. Significant changes of LVMI on the individual level suggest that modification is feasible with a thorough control of (systolic) hypertension and of the other risk factors (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 50).

Abstract 11177: Uncontrolled Systolic Hypertension Exaggerates the Effect of Water Hammer Shock from a Retrograde Direction While Diastolic Hypertension Aggravates the Injury from an Antegrade Direction: New Mechanism of Coronary Artery Disease by Angiographic and Machine Learning Investigation

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a strong risk factor of coronary artery disease. Hypothesis: Based on the damages induced by flow abnormalities in pipes, our research is built on the hypothesis that flow disturbances start the atherosclerotic process. Our strategy is to use today’s practice of fluid mechanics to unlock the mechanism of HTN on coronary plaques. Methods: All patients with uncontrolled HTN and unstable angina underwent coronary angiography and were selected if they had 1 or 2 moderate lesions. At first. contrast was injected until the index artery was completely opacified. As the injection stopped, the blood moved in and displaced the contrast. The movements and interactions of the blood flow in white color above a black background could be clearly analyzed. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning (ML algorithms) program had 2 models built on Python. Model 1 was based on U-net and Densenet-121 for vessel segmentation. Model 2 was used for classification and movement of flow. Model 2 was trained based on the convolutional neural network. The main measurements were the types, durations and directions of flows. Results: 20 patients were enrolled. 80% of lesions happened at the mid right coronary artery, near the bifurcation of the left anterior descending artery and diagonal, and of the circumflex artery and obtuse marginal. At the locations of lesions, 100% patients had turbulence caused by collision of the antegrade against the retrograde flow (water hammer shock). If there was excessive diastolic HTN >100mmHg, the duration of retrograde flow was short (<0.18 sec) and 75% turbulence happened DISTAL to the collision/bifurcation site. It happened due to higher gradient from proximal to distal. In severe systolic HTN, the duration of retrograde flow was longer (> 0.30 sec) and 80% turbulence happened PROXIMAL to the collision/bifurcation site due to higher gradient from distal to proximal. Conclusions: Uncontrolled diastolic HTN exaggerated the strength of antegrade flow and turbulence DISTAL to the collision/bifurcation site while uncontrolled systolic HTN intensified the retrograde flow and turbulence PROXIMAL to the collision/bifurcation site. Both inflicted damage on the intima and started the atheroslerotic process.

Management and Medical Therapy of Mild Hypercortisolism.

Mild hypercortisolism (mHC) is defined as an excessive cortisol secretion, without the classical manifestations of clinically overt Cushing’s syndrome. This condition increases the risk of bone fragility, neuropsychological alterations, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular events and mortality. At variance with Cushing’s syndrome, mHC is not rare, with it estimated to be present in up to 2% of individuals older than 60 years, with higher prevalence (up to 10%) in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension and/or diabetes or with unexplainable bone fragility. Measuring cortisol after a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test is the first-line test for searching for mHC, and the degree of cortisol suppression is associated with the presence of cortisol-related consequences and mortality. Among the additional tests used for diagnosing mHC in doubtful cases, the basal morning plasma adrenocorticotroph hormone, 24-h urinary free cortisol and/or late-night salivary cortisol could be measured, particularly in patients with possible cortisol-related complications, such as hypertension and diabetes. Surgery is considered as a possible therapeutic option in patients with munilateral adrenal incidentalomas and mHC since it improves diabetes and hypertension and reduces the fracture risk. In patients with mHC and bilateral adrenal adenomas, in whom surgery would lead to persistent hypocortisolism, and in patients refusing surgery or in whom surgery is not feasible, medical therapy is needed. Currently, promising though scarce data have been provided on the possible use of pituitary-directed agents, such as the multi-ligand somatostatin analog pasireotide or the dopamine agonist cabergoline for the—nowadays—rare patients with pituitary mHC. In the more frequently adrenal mHC, encouraging data are available for metyrapone, a steroidogenesis inhibitor acting mainly against the adrenal 11-βhydroxylase, while data on osilodrostat and levoketoconazole, other new steroidogenesis inhibitors, are still needed in patients with mHC. Finally, on the basis of promising data with mifepristone, a non-selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in patients with mild cortisol hypersecretion, a randomized placebo-controlled study is ongoing for assessing the efficacy and safety of relacorilant, a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, for patients with mild adrenal hypercortisolism and diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance and/or uncontrolled systolic hypertension.

Response to Comment on Optimal Treatment for Resistant Hypertension: The Missing Data on Pulse Wave Velocity

“Comment on optimal treatment for resistant hypertension: the missing data on pulse wave velocity” by Drs Elias and Sullivan1 raises 3 points that merit attention regarding uncontrolled apparent treatment- resistant hypertension (aTRH). aTRH is applied to data sets in which information is unavailable to distinguish between true and ≥1 contributors to pseudoresistance including home and ambulatory blood pressure (BP), patient adherence, and adequacy of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy.2,3 First, BP values among patients with and without aTRH in the 2 reports suggest that uncontrolled systolic hypertension predominates (Table). Systolic hypertension is more often associated with TRH.3 View this table: Table. Comparison of Patients Without and With aTRH in Our Report and MSLS Second, among subjects in the seventh wave of …

Aged garlic extract reduces blood pressure in hypertensives: a dose–response trial

Background/objectives:Hypertension affects about 30% of adults worldwide. Garlic has blood pressure-lowering properties and the mechanism of action is biologically plausible. Our trial assessed the effect, dose–response, tolerability and acceptability of different doses of aged garlic extract as an adjunct treatment to existing antihypertensive medication in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.Subjects/methods:A total of 79 general practice patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension participated in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled dose–response trial of 12 weeks. Participants were allocated to one of three garlic groups with either of one, two or four capsules daily of aged garlic extract (240/480/960 mg containing 0.6/1.2/2.4 mg of S-allylcysteine) or placebo. Blood pressure was assessed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks and compared with baseline using a mixed-model approach. Tolerability was monitored throughout the trial and acceptability was assessed at 12 weeks by questionnaire.Results:Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced by 11.8±5.4 mm Hg in the garlic-2-capsule group over 12 weeks compared with placebo (P=0.006), and reached borderline significant reduction in the garlic-4-capsule group at 8 weeks (−7.4±4.1 mm Hg, P=0.07). Changes in systolic blood pressure in the garlic-1-capsule group and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different to placebo. Tolerability, compliance and acceptability were high in all garlic groups (93%) and highest in the groups taking one or two capsules daily.Conclusions:Our trial suggests aged garlic extract to be an effective and tolerable treatment in uncontrolled hypertension, and may be considered as a safe adjunct treatment to conventional antihypertensive therapy.

Effect of Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring With Self-Care Support on Uncontrolled Systolic Hypertension in Diabetics

Lowering blood pressure reduces cardiovascular risk, yet hypertension is poorly controlled in diabetic patients. In a pilot study we demonstrated that a home blood pressure telemonitoring system, which provided self-care messages on the smartphone of hypertensive diabetic patients immediately after each reading, improved blood pressure control. Messages were based on care paths defined by running averages of transmitted readings. The present study tests the system's effectiveness in a randomized, controlled trial in diabetic patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension. Of 244 subjects screened for eligibility, 110 (45%) were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 55) or control (n = 55) group, and 105 (95.5%) completed the 1-year outcome visit. In the intention-to-treat analysis, mean daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure, the primary end point, decreased significantly only in the intervention group by 9.1 ± 15.6 mmHg (SD; P < 0.0001), and the mean between-group difference was 7.1 ± 2.3 mmHg (SE; P < 0.005). Furthermore, 51% of intervention subjects achieved the guideline recommended target of <130/80 mmHg compared with 31% of control subjects (P < 0.05). These improvements were obtained without the use of more or different antihypertensive medications or additional clinic visits to physicians. Providing self-care support did not affect anxiety but worsened depression on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (baseline, 4.1 ± 3.76; exit, 5.2 ± 4.30; P = 0.014). This study demonstrated that home blood pressure telemonitoring combined with automated self-care support reduced the blood pressure of diabetic patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension and improved hypertension control. Home blood pressure monitoring alone had no effect on blood pressure. Promoting patient self-care may have negative psychological effects.

Metabolic abnormalities, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and GFR decline in children with chronic kidney disease.

Metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors have rarely been systematically assessed in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined the prevalence of various CKD sequelae across the GFR spectrum. Data were used from 586 children participating in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study (United States and Canada) with GFR measured by iohexol plasma disappearance. Laboratory values and CVD risk factors were compared across GFR categories and with an age-, gender-, and race-matched community sample. CKiD participants were 62% male, 66% Caucasian, 23% African American, and 15% Hispanic with a median age of 11 years and a median GFR of 44 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Compared with those with a GFR ≥ 50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), having a GFR < 30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) was associated with a three-fold higher risk of acidosis and growth failure and a four- to five-fold higher risk of anemia and elevated potassium and phosphate. Median GFR change was -4.3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and -1.5 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) per year in children with glomerular and nonglomerular diagnoses, respectively. Despite medication and access to nephrology care, uncontrolled systolic hypertension was present in 14%, and 16% had left ventricular hypertrophy. Children with CKD frequently were also shorter and had lower birth weight, on average, compared with norms. Growth failure, metabolic abnormalities, and CVD risk factors are present at GFR >50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in children with CKD and, despite therapy, increase in prevalence two- to four-fold with decreasing GFR.

Increasing the doses of both diuretics and angiotensin receptor blockers is beneficial in subjects with uncontrolled systolic hypertension

Blood pressure (BP) control is frequently difficult to achieve in patients with predominantly elevated systolic BP. Consequently, these patients frequently require combination therapy including a thiazide diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and an agent blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Current clinical practice usually limits the daily dose of HCTZ to 25 mg. This often leads to the necessity of using additional antihypertensive agents to control BP in a high proportion of patients. To compare the efficacy of two doses of losartan (LOS)⁄HCTZ combinations in patients with uncontrolled ambulatory systolic hypertension after six weeks of treatment with LOS 100 mg⁄HCTZ 25 mg (LOS100⁄HCTZ25). Following a two- to four-week washout period, subjects with a mean clinic sitting systolic BP of 160 mmHg or higher and a mean ambulatory daytime systolic BP (MDSBP) of 135 mmHg or higher on LOS100⁄HCTZ25 (n=105; 33 women and 72 men) were randomly assigned to receive LOS 150 mg⁄HCTZ 25 mg (group 1; n=53) or LOS 150 mg⁄HCTZ 37.5 mg (LOS150⁄HCTZ37.5, group 2; n=52). The primary end point was the difference in MDSBP reductions. At the end of the six-week treatment period, the respective additional decreases in MDSBP were 1.2 mmHg (P=0.335) on LOS 150 mg⁄HCTZ 25 mg and 5.6 mmHg (P<0.0001) on LOS150⁄HCTZ37.5 (difference of 4.4 mmHg; P=0.011). Daytime systolic ambulatory BP goal (lower than 130 mmHg) achievement tended to be higher (25% versus 17%; P=0.313) with LOS150⁄HCTZ37.5, while it was significantly higher (65% versus 43%; P=0.024) for mean daytime diastolic BP (lower than 80 mmHg). No deleterious metabolic changes were observed. In patients with uncontrolled systolic ambulatory hypertension receiving LOS100⁄HCTZ25, increasing both HCTZ and LOS dosages simultaneously to LOS150⁄HCTZ37.5 may be an effective strategy that does not affect metabolic parameters.

Natural history and progression of atherosclerotic renal vascular stenosis

Date written: December 2008Final submission: October 2009

Trends and Cardiovascular Mortality Effects of State-Level Blood Pressure and Uncontrolled Hypertension in the United States

Blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality and has lifestyle and healthcare determinants that vary across states. Only self-reported hypertension status is measured at the state level in the United States. Our aim was to estimate levels and trends in state-level mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), the prevalence of uncontrolled systolic hypertension, and cardiovascular mortality attributable to all levels of higher-than-optimal SBP. We estimated the relationship between actual SBP/uncontrolled hypertension and self-reported hypertension, use of blood pressure medication, and a set of health system and sociodemographic variables in the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We applied this relationship to identical variables from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate state-specific mean SBP and uncontrolled hypertension. We used the comparative risk assessment methods to estimate cardiovascular mortality attributable to higher-than-optimal SBP. In 2001-2003, age-standardized uncontrolled hypertension prevalence was highest in the District of Columbia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina (18% to 21% for men and 24% to 26% for women) and lowest in Vermont, Minnesota, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Colorado (15% to 16% for men and approximately 21% for women). Women had a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension than men in every state by 4 (Arizona) to 7 (Kansas) percentage points. In the 1990s, uncontrolled hypertension in women increased the most in Idaho and Oregon (by 6 percentage points) and the least in the District of Columbia and Mississippi (by 3 percentage points). For men, the worst-performing states were New Mexico and Louisiana (decrease of 0.6 and 1.3 percentage points), and the best-performing states were Vermont and Indiana (decrease of 4 and 3 percentage points). Age-standardized cardiovascular mortality attributable to higher-than-optimal SBP ranged from 200 to 220 per 100,000 (Minnesota and Massachusetts) to 360 to 370 per 100,000 (District of Columbia and Mississippi) for women and from 210 per 100,000 (Colorado and Utah) to 370 per 100,000 (Mississippi) and 410 per 100,000 (District of Columbia) for men. Lifestyle and pharmacological interventions for lowering blood pressure are particularly needed in the South and Appalachia, and with emphasis on control among women. Self-reported data on hypertension diagnosis from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System can be used to obtain unbiased state-level estimates of blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension as benchmarks for priority setting and for designing and evaluating intervention programs.

Circulating cholesterol as a modulator of risk for renal injury in patients with type 2 diabetes

Amelioration of albuminuria may be related to specific constellations of risk factors including race and dyslipidaemia. Circulating cholesterol could mitigate the beneficial effect of antihypertensive therapy. We assessed whether cholesterol affected the remission of urinary albumin in patients with type 2 diabetes of white, Caucasian and non-white origin. We studied 100 patients (African and Asian: n = 57 and Caucasian: n = 43) with type 2 diabetes and newly diagnosed microalbuminuria who received intensified and structured care for a median (IQ range) of 41 (32–48) months. Microalbuminuria remitted in 20% and progressed in 12% of patients. In those with uncontrolled systolic hypertension (>140 mmHg) systolic blood pressure fell by a mean (95% CI) of −9.4 (−3.8 to −15.11) mmHg; p = 0.002. The change in urinary albumin excretion with time varied inversely with baseline systolic blood pressure ( r = −0.25; p = 0.04). At 3 years follow-up the decrement in blood pressure was significant for those patients in the regression group (−19.6[16.8] mmHg; p = 0.005). In patients of African origin, systolic blood pressure was higher than in the other groups and correlated with cholesterol concentrations ( r = 0.44; p = 0.04). Baseline systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol (odds ratio [95%CI]) were independent determinants of remission and progression of microalbuminuria (1.04[1.006–1.064]; p = 0.02 and 1.75[1.03–2.95]; p = 0.04). Patients with higher total cholesterol and baseline urinary albumin excretion were less likely to go into remission. Blood pressure correlated with cholesterol concentrations in patients of African origin. Specific cholesterol lowering strategies may benefit certain patients groups at high risk of renal disease.

Evaluation and management of patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension: Is another new paradigm really needed?

Cardiovascular disease is emerging as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. Population-based data regarding the prevalence of hypertension and hypertension subtypes in Andean Hispanic populations are scarce. The authors performed a population-based study that included 1878 Peruvian Andean adults to determine: (1) the prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension and (2) the relative frequency of hypertension subtypes (systolic vs. diastolic). The prevalence of hypertension was 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.0%–17.4%), did not differ by gender, and increased steeply with age, particularly in women. Awareness, treatment, and control rates were 47.9%, 39.5%, and 14%, respectively. Diastolic blood pressure increased until age 50 years and reached a plateau thereafter, whereas mean arterial pressure continued to increase with age even after age 50 years. Furthermore, in sharp contrast with the United States population, the predominant type of hypertension was systodiastolic (41.7%; 95% CI, 35.1%–48.5%). Isolated systolic hypertension accounted for only 29.3% of cases (95% CI, 23.9%–35.4%) and was responsible for a minority of cases in all age groups before age 70 years. Hypertension subtypes in this Andean population seem to differ significantly from those present in the United States population, with a much larger proportion of systodiastolic and diastolic hypertension even with advanced age. These differences result from interactions between hemodynamic and structural factors, and further studies aimed at characterizing their genetic and environmental determinants and implications in end-organ damage and prognosis in this population may contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension.

Systolic blood pressure is the main etiology for poorly controlled hypertension

Background Isolated systolic hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence of and to evaluate the effectiveness of currently available medications in the treatment of uncontrolled isolated systolic hypertension. Methods We randomly selected a total of 585 patients with hypertension from our database. The two most recent blood pressure (BP) readings and other data were obtained by chart review. Results Of 585 patients, 340 (58%) had controlled BP. Of 245 patients with uncontrolled hypertension, 77.1% had uncontrolled isolated systolic hypertension and the remaining 22.9% had uncontrolled diastolic hypertension. Patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension were on average taking more antihypertensive medications than patients with controlled BP (2.10 ± 0.09; P = .034). Conclusions Systolic hypertension is the etiology of uncontrolled hypertension in the majority of patients. Currently available antihypertensive medications are less effective in controlling systolic hypertension.

Prevalence and implications of uncontrolled systolic hypertension.

Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases incrementally with blood pressure, even within the high-normal range. In the general population, 27% of CVD in women and 37% in men is attributable to hypertension. A high percentage of these hypertension-related events occur in those with high-normal blood pressure and mild hypertension; about one-fourth of CVD events in elderly women and one-third in elderly men in the Framingham Study occurred in persons who had blood pressures of 140-159 mm Hg systolic and/or 90-95 mm Hg diastolic. The average systolic blood pressure (SBP) at which coronary heart disease occurs is rather modest (141 mm Hg), as is the pulse pressure (59-63 mm Hg). Of the CVD events in elderly participants in the Framingham Study, 24% in men and 36% in women occurred in persons receiving treatment for hypertension. There is a growing recognition of the importance of the systolic component of blood pressure. About 65% of hypertension in the elderly is isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), and CVD risk increases with pulse pressure. Pulse pressure is not simply a marker for stiff diseased arteries; treatment of ISH in trials promptly reduces the CVD risk, indicating that the pulse pressure generated by the stiff artery is the culprit. Analysis of data from clinical trials indicates that greater reliance should be placed on systolic pressure in evaluating the CVD potential of hypertension. Hypertension, including ISH, seldom occurs in isolation from other risk factors and overt CVD. Risk varies widely depending on the burden of accompanying risk factors. This makes global risk assessment mandatory for evaluating risk and the urgency and nature of treatment required. Evidence incriminating systolic pressure as the dominant blood pressure determinant of CVD has not been translated into clinical practice. Most of the uncontrolled hypertension observed in the Framingham Study is concentrated in those with ISH. This also extends to African-Americans, people with diabetes mellitus and the elderly. When should SBP be considered controlled? Substantial evidence supports the value of treating ISH with SBP exceeding 160 mm Hg. Trial data are not yet available to support recommendations to treat lesser elevations of ISH or pulse pressure per se, but since one-half of patients with mild ISH have two or more additional risk factors, most are candidates for treatment. In such patients, ISH should be considered controlled when their global CVD risk is reduced to below the average for their age.

Clinical Advisory Statement. Importance of systolic blood pressure in older Americans.

This clinical advisory statement from the Coordinating Committee of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program is intended to advance and clarify the recommendations of the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI, 1997).1 The advisory addresses several interrelated issues about blood pressure (BP) that affect people approaching the later decades of life. On the basis of the wealth of currently available evidence, the committee now recommends a major paradigm shift in urging that systolic BP become the major criterion for diagnosis, staging, and therapeutic management of hypertension, particularly in middle-aged and older Americans. Several lines of strong evidence support the initiative to emphasize systolic BP. Pathophysiologically, there are strong associations among aging, increased stiffness of large arteries, increased systolic BP, increased pulse pressure, and the prevalence of cardiac and vascular disease. Epidemiologically, isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension and is present in approximately two thirds of hypertensive individuals >60 years of age. Diagnostically, classification and staging of hypertension are more precise when systolic rather than diastolic BP is used as the principal criterion. Risk stratification for major complications of hypertension (stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and kidney failure) is actually confounded by the use of diastolic BP; in older people with systolic hypertension, diastolic BP is inversely related to cardiovascular risk. Clinical benefits of treatment of isolated systolic hypertension include reductions in stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney failure, and overall cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Currently, only 1 in 4 Americans with hypertension falls below JNC VI–recommended values of 140/90 mm Hg in uncomplicated hypertension or 130/85 mm Hg in individuals with kidney disease or diabetes. Hypertension control rates are poorest in older people, primarily as a result of inadequate …

Family Practice in Saudi Arabia: Chronic Morbidity and Quality of Care

Over a one-year period, 2990 patients attended a primary health care practice in urban Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Of these, 33.5% had chronic disorders. Clinically significant obesity (BMI > 29.9 Kg/m2) was present in 24.5% of those with chronic disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes mellitus (DM), digestive disorders and cardiovascular disease accounted for 38%, 36%, 24% and 22% of encounters respectively. Uncontrolled DM was encountered in 7.1% while uncontrolled systolic hypertension was present in 28.8% of patients with these disorders. A significant proportion (42%) of patients with bronchial asthma required emergency management. Symptomatic relief was obtained in 57% of patients with irritable bowel and 87% of patients with osteoarthritis of the knees. The results point to a trend of morbidity similar to that encountered in developed nations with affluence and sedentary life style. There is a need to focus on obesity, life style measures that reduce weight would be expected to positively influence diabetes, hypertension and osteoarthritis of the knees. Monitoring of outcome measures would help identify areas of improvement and preventive measures. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Family practice in Saudi Arabia: chronic morbidity and quality of care.

Over a one-year period, 2990 patients attended a primary health care practice in urban Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Of these, 33.5% had chronic disorders. Clinically significant obesity (BMI > 29.9 Kg/m2) was present in 24.5% of those with chronic disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes mellitus (DM), digestive disorders and cardiovascular disease accounted for 38%, 36%, 24% and 22% of encounters respectively. Uncontrolled DM was encountered in 7.1% while uncontrolled systolic hypertension was present in 28.8% of patients with these disorders. A significant proportion (42%) of patients with bronchial asthma required emergency management. Symptomatic relief was obtained in 57% of patients with irritable bowel and 87% of patients with osteoarthritis of the knees. The results point to a trend of morbidity similar to that encountered in developed nations with affluence and sedentary life style. There is a need to focus on obesity, life style measures that reduce weight would be expected to positively influence diabetes, hypertension and osteoarthritis of the knees. Monitoring of outcome measures would help identify areas of improvement and preventive measures.

The efficacy of ambulatory cardiac catheterization in the hospital and free-standing setting

The optimal site for performing cardiac catheterization depends upon complications of the procedure, access to care in the event of complications, costs, quality of the catheterization studies, access to the procedure, and patient satisfaction. Performing ambulatory cardiac catheterization at or adjacent to a hospital may assume equivalent access to emergent or urgent services, equivalent quality, and improved patient satisfaction at reduced cost for low-risk patients (stable coronary symptoms, no active congestive heart failure, no significant arrhythmias, and no significant comorbid factor—bleeding diathesis, renal insufficlency, uncontrolled systolic hypertension). However, moving an outpatient catheterization from the hospital site to a free-standing unit, physically remote from a hospital, may be associated with a reduction in access to emergency care and less standardized quality assurance.