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.

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.

SPYRAL HTN-ON MED renal denervation study did not meet primary endpoint

The SPYRAL HTN-ON MED renal denervation trial failed to show that renal denervation was superior to sham control at improving ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM), but that might have been due to patient lifestyle changes during COVID-19.

Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) is usually treated with medication, but the more a patient has to pay for medications, the less likely they are to take them and become noncompliant. This was the finding of a new study showing how copayments may be a barrier to patients taking prostanoids and combination therapy for PAH.

Higher copayments lowered adherence for pulmonary artery hypertension medications 

The more a patient has to pay for medications, the less likely they are to take them. This was the finding of a new study showing how copayments may be a barrier to drugs to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Late-breaking cardiovascular study presentation at AHA 2022. #AHA22

VIDEO: Key takeaways from AHA 2022

Manesh R. Patel, MD, chair of AHA Scientific Sessions program, explains what he saw as the top takeaways from AHA 2022.

Deepak Bhatt, MD, discusses the long-term, positive SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial results presented at TCT 2022, and the future of renal denervation therapy to treat hypertension. #TCT

VIDEO: SYMPLICITY HTN-3 and the future of renal denervation

Deepak Bhatt, MD, MPH, details long-term outcomes from the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial, which show a lasting impact on patients with uncontrolled hypertension. 

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How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted blood pressure management in the US

A new analysis of more than 137,000 patients found that the early months of the pandemic were associated with some concerning trends for hypertension patients. 

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FDA announces new recall of blood pressure medication due to potential cancer risk

Patients impacted by this recall are advised to speak with a physician about how to proceed. 

FDA recall. The medications involved are atenolol, which treats hypertension, and clopidogrel, which reduces the risk of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke among patients with a history of AMI, severe chest pain or circulation problems.

FDA announces recall of 2 cardiovascular medications due to labeling mix-up

Patients face a risk of adverse events if they mistakenly take the wrong medication, according to a new warning from the FDA. 

The Pulnovo pulmonary artery denervation catheter. In February 2021, the devices was granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough device designation. #TCT2022 #PAH

Pulmonary artery denervation shows promise to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary artery denervation may offer a new therapy option for this difficult-to-treat population.

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