Understanding the Importance of Race/Ethnicity in the Care of the Hypertensive Patient

Low intensity stimulation of aortic baroreceptor afferent fibers as a potential therapeutic alternative for hypertension treatment

Carotid baroreceptor stimulation has been clinically explored for antihypertensive benefits, but neuromodulation of aortic baroreceptor afferents remains unexplored for potential translation into the clinic. Published studies have used supramaximal stimulations, which are unphysiological and energy inefficient. The objective of the present study was to identify optimal low-charge nerve stimulation parameters that would provide a clinically-relevant (20–30 mmHg) decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats. Stimulations of 20 s were delivered to the left aortic depressor nerve (ADN) of these rats using low ranges of pulse amplitudes (≤ 0.6 mA), widths (≤ 0.5 ms) and frequencies (≤ 5 Hz). We also assessed the effects of continuous (20 s) versus intermittent (5 s ON/3 s OFF and 5 s ON/3 s OFF for 20 s) stimulation on MAP, heart rate (HR), mesenteric (MVR) and femoral (FVR) vascular resistance using low (5 Hz) and high (15 Hz) frequencies. Lower pulse amplitudes (0.2 mA) produced 9 ± 2 to 18 ± 2 mmHg decreases in MAP. Higher pulse amplitudes (0.4 mA) produced a median MAP reduction of 28 ± 4 mmHg at 0.2 ms and 5 Hz, with no added benefit seen above 0.4 mA. Continuous and intermittent low frequency stimulation at 0.4 mA and 0.2 ms produced similar sustained decreases in MAP, HR, MVR and FVR. Continuous high frequency stimulation at 0.4 mA and 0.2 ms produced larger reductions in MAP, HR, MVR and FVR compared with all low frequency and/or intermittent high frequency stimulations. We conclude from these findings that “low intensity intermittent” electrical stimulation is an effective alternate way for neuromodulation of the aortic baroreceptor afferents and to evoke a required restoration of MAP levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This approach enables low energy consumption and markedly lowers the excessive decreases in MAP and hemodynamic disturbances elicited by continuous high-charge injection protocols.

Relationship between the duration of smoking and blood pressure in Han and ethnic minority populations: a cross-sectional study in China

Background

Evidence for correlation between the cigarette use and blood pressure change remains ambiguous. This study modelled relationship between the duration of smoking and systolic blood pressure in a large national multi-ethnic cross-sectional survey in China.

Methods

Participants were selected through a multi-stage probability sampling procedure from 2012 to 2017. Former or current smokers were included in this study, whose smoking behaviour, blood pressure, and other demographic information were collected and measured through a face-to-face interview. Linear and non-linear relationships between the duration of smoking and systolic blood pressure were analysed and differences of the association between Han and minority populations were specially checked.

Results

A total of 8801 participants were enrolled in this study. Prevalence of hypertension was 41.3 and 77.8% were current smokers. For every additional year of smoking duration, systolic blood pressure raised by 0.325 mmHg (95% CI 0.296 to 0.354 mmHg, P <  0.001). The Chinese minority populations may suffer more from the elevated blood pressure in long-term smoking than Han populations (0.283 mmHg (95% CI 0.252 to 0.314 mmHg, P <  0.001) versus 0.450 mmHg (95% CI 0.380 to 0.520 mmHg, P <  0.001) raise in systolic blood pressure with each additional year of smoking in minority and Han populations).

Conclusions

Smoking is associated with raised systolic blood pressure in Chinese population. This association is notedly stronger in Chinese minority populations.

Approaches to the Management of Hypertension in Resource-Limited Settings: Strategies to Overcome the Hypertension Crisis in the Post-COVID Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed most aspects of everyday life in both the non-medical and medical settings. In the medical world, the pandemic has altered how healthcare is delivered and has necessitated an aggressive and new coordinated public health approach to limit its spread and reduce its disease burden and socioeconomic impact. This pandemic has resulted in a staggering morbidity and mortality and massive economic and physical hardships. Meanwhile, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease in general continue to cause significant disease burden globally in the background. Though presently receiving less attention in the public eye than the COVID-19 pandemic, the hypertension crisis cannot be separated from the minds of healthcare providers, policymakers and the general public, as it continues to wreak havoc, particularly in vulnerable populations in resource limited settings. On this background, many of the strategies being employed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to re-energize and galvanize the fight against hypertension and hopefully bring the public health crisis associated with uncontrolled hypertension to an end.

Blood Pressure and Living Kidney Donors: A Clinical Perspective

Elevated blood pressure (BP), or “hypertension,” has been one of the main exclusion criteria for living kidney donation, as it is a risk factor for renal and cardiovascular disease. The effect of elevated BP in living kidney donors is not well studied or understood. The most current living kidney donation guidelines state that donors with a BP >140/90 mm Hg with 1–2 antihypertensive medications or evidence of end-organ damage should be excluded from living kidney donation. Yet, the definitions of “hypertension” have changed with the release of the American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) clinical practice guidelines suggesting that 120–129 mm Hg is elevated BP and Stage 1 hypertension is 130 mm Hg. However, the kidney function (in terms of estimated GFR) of “hypertensive” living kidney donors does not fare significantly worse postdonation compared with that of “normotensive” donors. In addition, even though living kidney donation itself is not considered to be a risk factor for developing hypertension, there exist certain risk factors (African American or Hispanic descent, obesity, age) that may increase the risk of living kidney donors developing elevated BP postdonation. The choice of BP targets and medications needs to be carefully individualized. In general, a BP <130/80 mm Hg is needed, along with lifestyle modifications.

Prevalência autorreferida de hipertensão e fatores associados em comunidades quilombolas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar a prevalência e fatores associados à hipertensão arterial (HA) em adultos quilombolas do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional, realizado em 2011, com 589 adultos responsáveis por domicílios e amostragem proporcional ao tamanho. O desfecho foi obtido com a pergunta: “Algum médico já lhe disse que você tem hipertensão?”. Foi empregada regressão de Poisson, com variância robusta e entrada hierarquizada das variáveis. Por fim, foram calculadas as frações atribuíveis populacionais por componente (FAPC) para fatores modificáveis associados à HA. A prevalência autorreferida de HA foi de 38,3% (IC95% 31,4%-45,1%). A análise ajustada revelou associação do desfecho com faixa etária, escolaridade, consumo excessivo de álcool, circunferência da cintura acima do adequado e presença de diabetes. A análise dos FAPC revelou que, se os indivíduos tivessem maior escolaridade, a prevalência de HA seria reduzida. Diante da elevada prevalência de HA e da extrema vulnerabilidade social dessa população, políticas públicas que garantam seu acesso a direitos fundamentais (saúde, renda e escolaridade) poderiam ter impacto importante na diminuição desse desfecho.

Association Between Health Literacy and Medication Adherence Among Hispanics with Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Poor adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication is a major contributor to disparities in effective blood pressure control among Hispanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between health literacy level and adherence to antihypertensive medications among Hispanic adults, who self-reported hypertension, controlling for potential covariates of adherence and/or health literacy.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1355 Hispanic adults, primarily Dominicans, who self-reported hypertension. Antihypertensive medication adherence and health literacy were evaluated along with covariates, including sociodemographic characteristics, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Linear regression models were created for health literacy, each covariate, and adherence. Factors found to be significantly associated with adherence in the individual regression models at a p value of < 0.20 were included in a hierarchical multiple linear regression model.

RESULTS

Overall, the majority of participants had low adherence levels to antihypertensive medications (88.4%; n = 1026) and inadequate health literacy (84.9%; n = 1151). When controlling for age, sex, birth country, education level, recruitment location, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance, having adequate as compared to inadequate health literacy was associated with a higher adherence score (b = 0.378, p = 0.043). The full model explained 13.6% of the variance in medication adherence (p value < 0.001), but the unique contribution of health literacy to the model was minimal (R² change = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Tailored interventions considering health literacy are needed to support medication adherence in order to improve hypertension outcomes of Hispanics. Additional studies are needed to identify and prioritize factors in the development of targeted and effective adherence interventions for Hispanics with hypertension.

Intermittent nocturnal hypoxia and metabolic risk in obese adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE

There is conflicting data regarding the independent associations of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with metabolic risk in obese youth. Previous studies have not consistently addressed central adiposity, specifically elevated waist to height ratio (WHtR), which is associated with metabolic risk independent of body mass index.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the independent effects of the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) and associated indices of nocturnal hypoxia on metabolic function in obese youth after adjusting for WHtR.

METHODS

Subjects had standardized anthropometric measurements. Fasting blood included insulin, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, alanine transferase, and aspartate transaminase. Insulin resistance was quantified with the homeostatic model assessment. Overnight polysomnography determined the OAHI and nocturnal oxygenation indices.

RESULTS

Of the 75 recruited subjects, 23% were diagnosed with OSA. Adjusting for age, gender, and WHtR in multivariable linear regression models, a higher oxygen desaturation index was associated with a higher fasting insulin (coefficient [standard error] = 48.076 [11.255], p < 0.001), higher glycated hemoglobin (coefficient [standard error] = 0.097 [0.041], p = 0.02), higher insulin resistance (coefficient [standard error] = 1.516 [0.364], p < 0.001), elevated alanine transferase (coefficient [standard error] = 11.631 [2.770], p < 0.001), and aspartate transaminase (coefficient [standard error] = 4.880 [1.444], p = 0.001). However, there were no significant associations between OAHI, glucose metabolism, and liver enzymes.

CONCLUSION

Intermittent nocturnal hypoxia rather than the OAHI was associated with metabolic risk in obese youth after adjusting for WHtR. Measures of abdominal adiposity such as WHtR should be considered in future studies that evaluate the impact of OSA on metabolic health.

Sedentary Behavior and Blood Pressure in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background

Sedentary behavior is a pervasive public health concern in the general population. To date, little is known regarding the possible health risks associated with sedentary behavior in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), although this population has increased risks of comorbidities such as hypertension.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examined the association between sedentary behavior and blood pressure (BP) in 31 patients with MS and 31 matched controls. Self-reported sitting time, one form of sedentary behavior, was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Using an automated oscillometric monitor, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure were measured in the supine position after 10 minutes of rest lying down in a quiet room.

Results

There were significant correlations between International Physical Activity Questionnaire-measured sitting time and systolic BP (r = 0.365, P = .044, 95% CI, 0.013-0.636), diastolic BP (r = 0.382, P = .034, 95% CI, 0.032-0.648), and mean arterial pressure (r = 0.425, P = .017, 95% CI, 0.084-0.677) in patients with MS but not in controls (P > .05). The associations in patients with MS were unchanged even after adjusting for body mass index in linear regression analyses.

Conclusions

This study identified a significant association between sitting time and BP outcomes in patients with MS, supporting the need for additional examinations of sitting time and its possible health consequences in patients with MS.

Hypertension in African Americans

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

African Americans are over-burdened with hypertension resulting in excess morbidity and mortality. We highlight the health impact of hypertension in this population, review important observations regarding disease pathogenesis, and outline evidence-based treatment, current treatment guidelines, and management approaches.

RECENT FINDINGS

Hypertension accounts for 50% of the racial differences in mortality between Blacks and Whites in the USA. Genome-wide association studies have not clearly identified distinct genetic causes for the excess burden in this population as yet. Pathophysiology is complex likely involving interaction of genetic, biological, and social factors prevalent among African Americans. Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy is required and specific treatment guidelines for this population are varied. Combination therapy is most often necessary and single-pill formulations are most successful in achieving BP targets. Racial health disparities related to hypertension in African Americans are a serious public health concern that warrants greater attention. Multi-disciplinary research to understand the inter-relationship between biological and social factors is needed to guide successful treatments. Comprehensive care strategies are required to successfully address and eliminate the hypertension burden.

Ethnic and racial disparities in hypertension management among women

Hypertension is a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease for all ethnic and racial groups. Compared with other lifestyle and metabolic risk factors, hypertension is the leading cause of death in women. Women with preeclampsia are three times more likely to develop chronic hypertension and have an elevated risk of future cardiovascular disease. The objective of this article is to provide a review of the factors related to racial and ethnic disparities in blood pressure control. This is followed by a summary of contemporary clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, through lifestyle behavioral modification, and treatment of hypertension with pharmacotherapy.

Demographic, Seasonal, and Geographic Differences in Emergency Department Visits for Epistaxis

Objective

To determine the demographics and seasonal and geographic variation of epistaxis in the United States.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort analysis based on data from Medicare claims.

Setting

Emergency department visits.

Subjects and Methods

We used a 5% sample of Medicare data from January 2012 to December 2012. Our cohort included patients with an incident diagnosis of epistaxis during a visit to the emergency department, excluding those with a diagnosis in the prior 12 months. Demographics included age, sex, race, and ethnicity. We compared the rate of emergency department visits for epistaxis by geographic division and individual states.

Results

In the 5% sample of Medicare data, 4120 emergency department visits for incident epistaxis were identified in 2012. Our results showed an increase in the emergency department visits for epistaxis with age. Compared with patients <65 years old, patients who were 66 to 76, 76 to 85, and >85 years old were 1.36 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.23-1.50), 2.37 (95% CI, 2.14-2.62), and 3.24 (95% CI, 2.91-3.62) more likely to present with epistaxis, respectively. Men were 1.24 (95% CI, 1.17-1.32) times more likely to present with epistaxis than women. Blacks were 1.23 (95% CI, 1.10-1.36) times more likely to present with epistaxis when compared with non-Hispanic whites. Epistaxis emergency department visits were 40% lower in the summer months versus winter. The seasonal variation was more pronounced in the northern versus southern United States.

Conclusion

Emergency department visits for epistaxis increase with age and appear to be seasonal, with a more pronounced variation in the northern versus southern United States.

Renal denervation in the era of HTN-3. Comprehensive review and glimpse into the future

The pathophysiological role of sympathetic overactivity in conditions such as hypertension has been well documented. Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive percutaneous procedure which aims to disrupt sympathetic nerve afferent and efferent activity through the application of radiofrequency energy directly within the renal artery wall. This technique has emerged as a very promising treatment with dramatic effects on refractory hypertension but also in other conditions in which a sympathetic influence is present. Several studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of this procedure, presently surrounded by controversy since the recent outcome of Symplicity HTN-3, the first randomized, sham-control trial, which failed to confirm RDN previous reported benefits on BP and cardiovascular risk lowering. Consequently, although some centers halted their RDN programs, research continues and both the concept of denervation and treatment strategies are being redefined to identify patients who can drive the most benefit from this technology. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appropriately mandated that RDN remains an investigative procedure and a new generation of sham-controlled trials are ongoing and aimed to assess not only its efficacy against pharmacotherapy but also trials in drug free patients with the objective of demonstrating once and for all whether the procedure actually does lower BP in comparison to a placebo arm. In this article, we present an overview of the sympathetic nervous system and its role in hypertension, examine the current data on RDN, and share some insights and future expectations.

Renal denervation for resistant hypertension: yes

Sympathetic overactivity may have a role in triggering and maintaining resistant hypertension, and catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as a promising treatment in refractory hypertension. Recently, the results of the Symplicity HTN-3, the first randomized, sham-controlled trial, failed to confirm the previously reported BP-lowering effects of RDN, although definitive conclusions cannot be drawn due to a number of study limitations. Consequently, although some centers halted their RDN programs, research continues and both the concept of denervation and treatment strategies are being redefined. A new generation of sham-controlled trials is currently underway with the aim of detecting which patients are expected to achieve the most beneficial effect from RDN. In this article, we examine the current data on RDN and discuss some insights and future opportunities.