Current Hypertension Reviews - Volume 8, Issue 2, 2012

Central aortic blood pressure (CBP) is increasingly considered a better cardiovascular prognostic marker than conventional cuff brachial blood pressure. Because CBP cannot be directly measured noninvasively, it has to be estimated from peripheral pressure pulses. To assess estimated CBP appropriately, the accuracy and features of the estimation method should be considered. The aim of this review is to provide basic kno Read More

As central (aortic) blood pressures and augmentation indices predict cardiovascular outcomes beyond brachial blood pressures, there is growing clinical interest in the measurement of central haemodynamics. However, before these measurements can be implemented in clinical practice, determination of normal reference values is mandatory. A rigorous step-wise process is required to define accurate thresholds, so that Read More

While the majority of cross-sectional publications report that central blood pressure (BP) is more closely associated with end organ damage, which includes left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid atherosclerosis, and brain and renal damage, than is peripheral BP, the superiority of central BP over peripheral BP has not been consistently observed in recent studies. This discrepancy may be due to a recent finding demonstrating the Read More

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular risk, and the blood pressure serves as an important biomarker of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Compared with the blood pressure conventionally measured in the brachial artery, the blood pressure in the central aorta is more strongly influenced by aortic stiffness and peripheral wave reflection, bot Read More

Recent evidence suggests that central blood pressure (BP) is a more important determinant of cardiovascular risk than is brachial BP. Antihypertensive drugs with vasodilating properties have a more beneficial effect on central systolic BP and pulse pressure by decreasing arterial stiffness and/or the magnitude of wave reflections than thiazide diuretics and β-blockers. These differential effects of antihypertensive dr Read More

Almost 10% of pregnancies are complicated with hypertension. Chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension is the most reliable classification in obstetrical practice. Blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg before 20 weeks of gestation is defined as chronic hypertension. Almost 25% of women with chronic hypertension will develop preeclampsia durin Read More

Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and diabetes are all associated with increased risks of poor maternal and perinatal outcome. In preeclampsia, exaggerated responses of insulin resistance, altered immune responses and inflammatory pathway activation are reminiscent of metabolic syndrome, and also are evident in gestational diabetes mellitus. Poor glycaemic control, preexisting hypertension and diabetic Read More

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension, account for serious adverse outcome for mother and fetus. Oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant mechanisms, is present in multiple disorders, as well as in pregnancy. It is characterized by increased free radical generation, affecting all macromolecules. Pathop Read More

Manual blood pressure (BP) measurement performed according to established guidelines has been the standard method for assessing an individual’s BP status. However, manual BP readings in routine clinical practice rarely adhere to these guidelines with the result that routine office BP is relatively less accurate and about 10/5 mmHg higher than readings taken in the same patient as part of a research study. Automat Read More

By the analysis of previous studies, functional and biochemical markers related to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure are discussed. 18 healthy never smokers, 12 men (67%) and 6 women (33%) aged from 21 to 55 years (mean: 34+/-9 ys.) underwent experimental procedures twice. in a smoking free environment and in the same environment polluted by 35 ppm carbon monoxide derived from smoked cigarettes. Bra Read More

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and fatal or non-fatal cardiac and cerebrovascular complications. Kidney and retina are also target organs of blood pressure rise. Progressive changes in the definition of hypertension have occurred in the years and blood pressure 130/85 mm Hg is considered as normal. Ischaemic heart disease, particularly myocardial infarction, often unrecognized, as wel Read More