Hypertension

High blood pressure increases a patient's risk of heart attack, stroke and other diseases. Most people with hypertension have no symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about 1 in 4 of those individuals has their hypertension under control. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the epidemic of hypertension world-wide will exceed 1.56 billion people by 2025. Major efforts are underway to better control this primary risk factor through screenings, medication and invasive procedures such as renal denervation in severely uncontrolled patients.

FDA approves new drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension from Johnson & Johnson, Merck
Cardiologists now have two more tools to help them combat PAH, a rare vascular condition that often leads to heart failure.
FDA approves new hypertension drug months after Idorsia reacquired rights for $343M
Aprocitentan, sold under the brand name Tryvio, is approved for patients with high blood pressure who are already taking other antihypertensive drugs.
World’s first patient treated with new implantable device for pulmonary hypertension
The procedure, performed on Feb. 14, was part of an early feasibility trial developed with help from the FDA.
Flexitarian diet, a plant-based option that includes small amounts of meat, linked to key cardiovascular benefits
The study, designed to compare flexitarians with vegans and omnivores, focused on young and middle-aged adults in good health who had been following the same diet for at least one full year.
Salt substitutes reduce hypertension risk by up to 40%
Many patients do not want to limit their salt intake, even when a doctor tells them the numerous health benefits. Salt substitutes may represent another way forward.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Recor Medical’s Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation (RDN) system for uncontrolled hypertension. The Recor system gained FDA clearance in November 2023.

FDA approves first renal denervation system for uncontrolled hypertension

The system, designed for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are unresponsive to medication, uses ultrasound ablation to target nerves in the renal arteries, increasing blood flow. This approval comes just months after an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of the system.

November 8, 2023

ChatGPT tackles hypertension: Popular AI model a helpful resource for patients with high blood pressure

The study's authors communicated with ChatGPT-4 in both English and Japanese, noting that it appeared to struggle more with the complexities of the Japanese language.

November 7, 2023

In-hospital complications are more common among women who undergo LAAO than men. However, according to a new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, men and women have similar long-term outcomes.

Heart-healthy diets may help women limit signs of cognitive decline later in life

More than 5,000 women were interviewed about their eating habits from 1985 to 1991, and then researchers followed up with them 30 years later. The full study was published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

October 20, 2023

Dihydropyridines such as amlodipine have been the topic of some debate in recent months due to fears they lead to significant side effects.

October 13, 2023

Merck is seeking FDA approval for sotatercept to be used as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension

FDA grants speedy review to Merck's new drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension

The FDA is expected to base its decision in part on the STELLAR clinical trial, which included 163 adult patients treated with subcutaneous sotatercept and 160 patients treated with a placebo.

September 28, 2023

Low-cost generic programs offer CVD medications at affordable prices—but availability changes from one to the next

Programs managed by H-E-B, Kroger, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and Walmart appear to offer the most options for CVD patients. When it comes to AFib and heart failure, however, researchers believe the choices could be improved.

September 14, 2023

The Medtronic Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system uses a catheter that curls in the renal artery to place radiofrequency electrodes against the vessel wall to ablate the nerves that control vasodilation, so the artery can be propped in the fully open position.

FDA panel votes not to endorse Medtronic renal denervation system

The vote was close, initially ending with a tie, but the panel ultimately decided there were too many questions related to the device's long-term benefits for patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

August 24, 2023

FDA panel votes in favor of Recor Medical renal denervation system

A few members of the panel did question the device's efficacy and long-term durability. The FDA will now use these findings to make its final decision related to the system's approval.

August 23, 2023

Hypertension

FDA approves new drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension from Johnson & Johnson, Merck

FDA approves new hypertension drug months after Idorsia reacquired rights for $343M

World’s first patient treated with new implantable device for pulmonary hypertension

Flexitarian diet, a plant-based option that includes small amounts of meat, linked to key cardiovascular benefits

Salt substitutes reduce hypertension risk by up to 40%