Current Hypertension Reviews - Volume 7, Issue 3, 2011

The increase in the prevalence of obesity, which has been considered an epidemic by the World Health Organisation, is a serious, worldwide, health problem. Importantly, hypertension and diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, are frequently associated with obesity, and together, constitute a significant burden, both in terms of patients' morbidity and health care costs. The driving forces linking hypertension, diabetes and obesi Read More

In this article, we review relevant concepts in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine. Among the most important concepts analyzed are the following. Ideal Cardiovascular Health: A new construct proposed in 2010 by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a motivational concept, with the aim of communicating the ideal profile of cardiovascular health to the general public. Cardiovascular Risk Factors: In the absence of an ideal ca Read More

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of main causes of metabolic syndrome (Mets), which is clustered with several risk factors for cardiovascular disease. IR is also main cause of essential hypertension (EHT) as well as activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and salt-sensitivity. Recent researches reveal that IR is closely linked with RAAS, SNS and salt sensitivity especially in subjec Read More

Epinephrine accounts for 80%, while norepinephrine accounts for 20% of the total hormone secreted from the adrenal medulla. Further, in certain situations epinephrine may be released as a co-transmitter with norepinephrine from postganglionic sympathetic nerves. Epinephrine is known as a prime mover in the “fight or flight” response with epinephrine elevating heart rate, augmenting neurogenic vasoconstriction, reducing bl Read More

We investigated the relationships of birthweight and postnatal growth with the components of metabolic syndrome and their clustering in young schoolchildren in Korea. The subjects comprised 261 children aged 7-9 years who were recruited from an elementary school. Information on birthweight was obtained from their parents using a questionnaire, and data were also collected via anthropometric measurement, and Read More

In Australia, rates of obesity in the general population are on the rise. The growing incidence of obesity and higher rates of metabolic syndrome in mental health patients places this group of people at a much higher risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Treatment effects via psychotropic medications, and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise suggests that attention needs to be drawn to this vulnerable po Read More

A simple instruction on the lifestyle modification study was conducted on 51 hypertensives with metabolic syndrome. Significant weight reductions from baseline, 67.7 ± 11.2 kg, was noted at the 2nd month, 66.8 ± 11.2 kg, (p <0.01), 4th month, 66.6 ± 11.3 kg, (p <0.01) and 6th month, 66.8 ± 11.5 kg, (p <0.01). Decrements of insulin levels from 13.5 ± 7.3 mU/L at baseline to 12.3 ± 6.6 mU/L at the 2nd month (p = 0.075) and t Read More

The prevalence of obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus-all part of the metabolic syndrome--is increasing in the US and worldwide. In this setting, it is important to understand the effects of antihypertensives on several components of the metabolic syndrome. Overall, has treatment of hypertension in diabetes been beneficial? To answer this question, the authors have reviewed pertinent clinical studies. The Read More

Obesity, hypertension and obesity-related hypertension are growing health problems. Several epidemiological studies have shown a high prevalence of cardiovascular complications and all cause of mortality in obesity and hypertension. Obesity and hypertension are important and independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease development. An integrated cardiovascular risk management approach involving ag Read More

Hypertension is common (prevalence up to 75 %) in patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism and can be cured by parathyroidectomy. However, there is still uncertainty about the pathophysiology of parathyroid hypertension. The limited and partly controversial data available may be explained by the low prevalence of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism, the chance of coexisting primary hypertension, and the lo Read More