Menstuff® has compiled the following newsbytes on hypertention.
New Study Shows Why Hypertension Affects
Black Males Disproportionately
One-Third Have
Prehypertension
Weight, Hypertension Linked to Heart
Risks
Vitamin D Deficiency May Hurt
Heart
Hypertension Drugs
Weight, Hypertension Linked to Heart
Risks
New Study Shows Why Hypertension Affects
Black Males Disproportionately
One-Third Have Prehypertension
Vitamin D Deficiency May Hurt Heart
Adults with hypertension (high blood pressure) may be more likely to have cardiovascular problems if they also have vitamin D deficiency.
Researchers report that news in today's advance online edition of Circulation.
Data came from 1,739 adults enrolled in the Framingham Offspring Study, a long-term health study based in Framingham, Mass.
Harvard Medical School's Thomas Wang, MD, and colleagues tracked participants with no history of heart problems who were 59 years old, on average.
Participants got their blood levels of vitamin D checked; 28% had vitamin D deficiency, including 9% with severe vitamin D deficiency.
By the end of the study period, 120 participants had had a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, stroke, chest pain, heart failure, and peripheral claudication (pain in the legs caused by circulation problems).
People with vitamin D deficiency and hypertension were about twice as likely as people without hypertension and vitamin D deficiency to have a cardiovascular event during the study. Vitamin D deficiency wasn't linked to cardiovascular problems in people who don't have hypertension.
Other factors, including physical activity, age, gender, and type 2 diabetes, didn't explain the results. But Wang's team can't rule out other influences.
Wang's study was purely observational; participants weren't told
to take vitamin D or to spend more time in the sun so that their
bodies could make more vitamin D. The researchers call for other
studies to see if treating vitamin D deficiency lowers heart
risks.
Source: www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20080107/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-hurt-heart?ecd=wnl_hyp_011708
Hypertension Drugs
Chemical and Brand Names of Drugs Commonly Used to Treat
Hypertension
This article provides a list of the drugs and drug combinations most commonly used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The list is quite long.
The fact that there are so many drugs to choose from means two things. First, it is very likely that some effective and well-tolerated drug or drug combination can be found for almost anyone who has typical hypertension. And second, settling on the "best" drug(s) for you will take a purposeful and systematic approach, and will require collaboration between you and your doctor..
Diuretics
Diuretics ("water pills") increase the amount of sodium and water excreted into the urine by the kidneys. It is thought that they lower blood pressure mainly by reducing the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.
Diuretics commonly used for hypertension:
Diuretics less commonly used for hypertension:
Beta-blockers
Beta blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system, slow the heart rate, and reduce stress on the heart and the arteries.•Acebutolol - Sectral
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers can reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries and, in some cases, reducing the force of the heart's contractions.•Amlodipine - Norvasc, also sold as Caduet and Lotrel
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (the "ACE inhibitors") can lower blood pressure by dilating the arteries.•Benazepril - Lotensin
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
The angiotensin II receptor blockers (the "ARBs") also reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries.•Candesartan - Atacand
Other, Less Commonly Used Hypertension Drugs
Combination Drugs For Hypertension
Numerous combination drugs have been marketed for hypertension, and it is almost impossible to keep track of new ones that come along, or old ones that fade away. The following is a reasonably complete and up to date list of the most commonly prescribed combination drugs used for hypertension.•Amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide - Moduretic
Source: heartdisease.about.com/od/drugsforheartdisease/a/htn_drug
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