Hypertension - Biotech, Pharma and Life Science Channel
With hypertension affecting up to 75 million people in America alone, at a cost of $76 billion, it is one of the major medical issues facing us in the 21st century. The problems that hypertension present to the biomedical community are complex and varied. This is driving new and exciting research in different directions.
The epidemiology of hypertension has indicated a number of very important lifestyle factors, implicated in increasing risk of getting Hypertension; obesity, increased dietary salt intake, high cholesterol, high alcohol consumption and smoking. Old age is also implicated, and although unavoidable, is significant given the aging populations of the developing world. Traditionally associated with men, hypertension is now becoming increasing common in women. Diabetes, an increasingly common condition, through atherosclerotic processes, increases blood pressure in up to 80% of diabetic patients.
It is the complications of hypertension that is a real cause for concern. Hypertension itself is a risk factor numerous conditions including atherosclerosis, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
In the heart, the increased blood pressure against which the heart has to work can cause left ventricular hypertrophy, and coronary artery disease may develop, further hindering the physiological function of the heart. Strokes (cerebrovascular accidents) can cause potentially lethal damage to the brain, and result from possible complications of hypertension. Vision can be damaged in cases of hypertensive retinopathy, macroaneurysms and branch-vein occlusions. Hypertension in the kidneys can cause nephropathies as aspects of the kidneys are remodelled to accommodate the increased blood pressure, at the expense of physiological function. Because of the systematic importance of the kidneys in homeostasis, deterioration of their function can further increase risk of progression of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Further issues are the often co-existing morbidities of these patients; for example, obesity.
This hypertension epidemic must be combated from several different angles using the full breadth of the medical profession.
One approach is to implement strong educational programs encouraging lifestyle changes to prevent the preventable cases of hypertension, and keep treatment in the primary care arena. A recent study (see full article) looked into the effectiveness of this; the findings were that a combination of education about healthy lifestyles and medication adherence was successful in lowering BP. This is further reiterated in recent updates to the American Heart Association's cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines for women (2011), which focus on the day-to-day practicalities of managing risk factors or hypertension. It picks up on differences in wealth, literacy level and visual and hearing skills between women participating in trials and those not, and the consequences of these differences in approaching their health and adhering to medications. In addition to this, the updates also stress the importance of self-awareness and supports ‘cause initiatives’.
Pharmaceutical approaches are well utilized, as illustrated by the range of new drugs being developed in each class of anti-hypertensive drugs; diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and Calcium channel blockers. Because of the challenges of lifestyle changes, the pharmaceutical market for anti-hypertensive drugs is growing; up to 20% in some part of China in 2008, and lucrative, because of the endemicity of the disease.
The complications of hypertension are testing and allowing expansion of knowledge of techniques in vascular surgery. Recent developments by Ziehm (Smart Vascular) allow better visualisation of the operation, reducing the invasiveness of an operation and associated risks. We are also increasing our knowledge of self-repair mechanisms the body can activate to repair the damage done by high blood pressure (for full article click here). Branches of already established medical fields are emerging to cope with hypertension and its associated problems. This included the use of imaging techniques such as MRI, CT or X-ray for diagnosis (using angiography) and interventional radiology.
Although the complications of hypertension discussed above are possibilities not certainties, the number of people with hypertension makes their prevalence significant, and warrants the depth of research currently being done to tackle this growing problem.
Reflecting the research drives in this area, BioPortfolio have developed a RSS and Twitter feed (see below), to keep you up to date with the latest news, reports, research papers and clinical trials in this area.
To see the latest clinical trials on Hypertension click here.
Sign up to ‘My BioPortfolio’ to quickly access this wealth of information.
Last updated Feb 2011 by Anya de Iongh
Add the Hypertension News Channel to your RSS reader;
Follow the Hypertension Twitter feed;
PubMed Articles
Treatment for hepatitis C virus-induced portal hypertension in leukemic children.
Children with acute leukemia are at high risk of hepatitis C infection, either by immunosuppression secondary to chemotherapy or by multiple transfusions of blood products during the course of the dis...
This study sought to determine the risk of ischemic stroke (IS)/thromboembolism (TE) associated with renal impairment and its incremental predictive value over established risk stratification scores (...
Aerial parts of Heracleum sphondylium L. (HS) are used in traditional medicine to treat hypertension. To provide pharmacological basis for this use, we investigated the vasorelaxant effects of a dichl...
The role of redox signaling in epigenetics and cardiovascular disease.
Abstract Significance: The term epigenetics refers to the changes in the phenotype and gene expression that occur without alterations in the DNA sequence. There is a rapidly growing body of evidence t...
A novel non-vascular system to treat resistant hypertension.
Aims: To evaluate in a preclinical model the utility of a monopolar electrode catheter delivering radiofrequency (RF) energy placed into the renal pelvis in order to treat resistant hypertension (RH)....
Aims: Renal denervation using the point-by-point application of radiofrequency energy delivered by the first-generation Symplicity system is effective in lowering office blood pressure but may be time...
AIM. To review the results of implementing a protocol for following up patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IICH) in a neuro-ophthalmological unit (NOU). PATIENTS AND METHODS. A review...
BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress is a risk factor for hypertension and has been shown to affect response to treatment for psychiatric illnesses. PURPOSE: We investigate the relationship between a histo...
The Sympathetic Nervous System in Obesity Hypertension.
Abundant evidence supports a role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension. However, the nature and temporal progression of mechanisms underlying this symp...
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH) share a similar clinical presentation, and a differential diagnosis requires a thorough workup. Once...
News Articles
Diet Drug Trims Hypertension Too (CME/CE)
SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- The weight loss achieved with extended-release phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia) comes with corresponding blood pressure reduction for hypertensive patients, a subanalys...
Disparities seen in treatment of hypertension
BP Reductions With Renal Denervation Durable to 30 Months
New data confirm the long-term efficacy of renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension. At 30 months, there was a sustained reduction in systolic blood pressure, but this is only the beg...
JNC 2013: Simplified BP Goal in Sight
SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- The upcoming JNC 2013 update is likely to go with a hypertension treatment target of 140/90 mm Hg for all but older adults, a panel of experts on the guidelines commit...
Seasoning May Cut Salt Needs in Hypertension (CME/CE)
SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- A greater taste for salt among older hypertensive adults might be sated by seasoning instead, a small experimental study showed.
Newer class of diabetes medications may also improve cardiovascular health, researchers report
A newer class of medications used to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics may also improve cardiovascular health, researchers from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reported in...
Dr. Avi Ishaaya Offers Screening and Assessments for Sleep Apnea in Honor of World Hypertension Day
Between May 17 and May 31, 2013, Dr. Avi Ishaaya will offer free screening and assessment for sleep apnea, an identifiable cause of hypertension. Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 17, 2013 Dr. Avi Ishaaya,...
Bayer submits Japanese application for riociguat
Bayer AG (Xetra:BAYN) submitted a regulatory application in Japan for riociguat to treat chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The oral soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) stimulator is un...
New study shows UCB's Neupro reduces NSBP in RLS patient
Leading Belgian drugmaker UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB) today (May 17) announced data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that found that Neupro (rotigotine transdermal system) reduced total...
Study Says Cell Phones Raise Blood Pressure, Yoga Brings It Down
Enid Burns for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online New research has identified a number of triggers that raise and lower blood pressure, such as talking on cell phones and doing yoga, respectively....
Events
None
Companies
TheAmerican Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinic...
Privately held Ardian Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif., develops catheter-based therapies to treat hypertension and related conditions. Ardian is the eighth company created by...
Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA)
Headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., PHA is the countryâs leading organization connecting pulmonary hypertension patients, families, and medical professionals. Its mission is...
IDEAL LIFE, the industry leader in remote health management solutions, has created an innovative platform that addresses many of todayâs most challenging and costly healthcar...
Sagene Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel applications for combinations of FDA-approved drugs to treat diseases associated with aging. Sagene h...
Cibiem is a medical device company leveraging its proprietary, minimally invasive, catheter-based approach focused on Carotid Body Modulation⢠(CBM) for the treatment of symp...
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinic...
InVasc Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in Tucker, Georgia, is a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to mitigate risks associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Cardiovasc...
Microlife Medical Home Solutions, Inc.
Microlife Medical Home Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Microlife Corporation, is dedicated to meeting the needs of healthcare providers and their busy medical practices. Our syst...
IDEAL LIFE is a multinational company that delivers timely and accurate health information on demand, to any location, through collaborative solutions that are secure, reliable, a...
Clinical Trials
Chronic transplant nephropathy and cardiovascular death are the main reasons for loss of transplanted organs after kidney transplantation. Vascular changes, induced by hypertension and/or...
Spanish Cohort for the Study of the Effect of CPAP in Hypertension (CEPECTA)
AIMS:To know the effects of the treatment with nasal positive continuous airway pressure (CPAP) on systemic blood pressure and the expression of biological mediators, in systemic hypertens...
Hypertension Control Based on Home Blood Pressure
The aim of this trial is to study the effects of antihypertensive therapy based on home systolic blood pressure (BP) with different target levels using two classes of drugs. The HOSP stud...
A Study of Nifecardia SRFC and Adalat OROS in the Treatment of Patients With Essential Hypertension
Objective: - To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of two brands of nifedipine 30mg in patients with hypertension. - To assess the safety of 8 weeks of therapy with...
Dopamine (DA) is one of the main catecholamines in mammals. Its major role as a brain neurotransmitter is well known as well as its contribution to the development of pathologies, mainly a...
Elevation of plasma homocysteine has been recognized as one of the risk factors of atherosclerotic disease. The objectives of this study are: (1) to investigate the level of plasma homocys...
Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in Clinical Practice in Metabolic Syndrome Patients
Metabolic syndrome is commonly defined as a set of risk factors and abnormalities that markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Its relevance has been confirmed by a recent pop...
Electronic Communications and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
The control of blood pressure (BP) for patients with hypertension on medications has been elusive, despite the availability of evidence-based nationally recognized guidelines for treatment...
Effect of Losartan on Retinal Endothelial Function in Patients With Essential Hypertension
Essential hypertension is commonly associated with impaired endothelial function. The retinal vasculature is morphologically and functionally related to the cerebral vessels because of the...
Danish Hypertension Prevention Project - DHYPP
The present study examine healthy, normotensive subjects 18 to 36 years of age whose both parents have essential hypertension. The subjects receive treatment with either the AT1-antagonis...
Videos
Hypertension - Nollywood Movie
http://www.facebook.com/tvNolly Nollywood movie starring Sam Loco Efe, John Okafor, Charles Anwurum, Andy Chukwu, Nneoma Ukpabi and Romanus Amuta. Produced b...
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Hyperuricemia
Excessive URIC ACID or urate in blood as defined by its solubility in plasma at 37 degrees C; greater than 0.42mmol per liter (7.0mg/dL) in men or 0.36mmol per liter (6.0mg/dL) in women. This condition is caused by overproduction of uric acid or impaired renal clearance. Hyperuricemia can be acquired, drug-induced or genetically determined (LESCH-NYHAN SYNDROME). It is associated with HYPERTENSION and GOUT.
Mineralocorticoid Excess Syndrome, Apparent
A hereditary disease characterized by childhood onset HYPERTENSION, hypokalemic alkalosis, and low RENIN and ALDOSTERONE secretion. It results from a defect in the activity of the 11-BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE TYPE 2 enzyme which results in inadequate conversion of CORTISOL to CORTISONE. The build up of unprocessed cortisol to levels that stimulate MINERALOCORTICOID RECEPTORS creates the appearance of having excessive MINERALOCORTICOIDS.
11-beta-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2
An high-affinity, NAD-dependent 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase that acts unidirectionally to catalyze the dehydrogenation of CORTISOL to CORTISONE. It is found predominantly in mineralocorticoid target tissues such as the KIDNEY; COLON; SWEAT GLANDS; and the PLACENTA. Absence of the enzyme leads to a fatal form of childhood hypertension termed, APPARENT MINERALOCORTICOID EXCESS SYNDROME.
Hypertension, Pregnancy-induced
A condition in pregnant women with elevated systolic (>140 mm Hg) and diastolic (>90 mm Hg) blood pressure on at least two occasions 6 h apart. HYPERTENSION complicates 8-10% of all pregnancies, generally after 20 weeks of gestation. Gestational hypertension can be divided into several broad categories according to the complexity and associated symptoms, such as EDEMA; PROTEINURIA; SEIZURES; abnormalities in BLOOD COAGULATION and liver functions.
Cadasil
A familial, cerebral arteriopathy mapped to chromosome 19q12, and characterized by the presence of granular deposits in small CEREBRAL ARTERIES producing ischemic STROKE; PSEUDOBULBAR PALSY; and multiple subcortical infarcts (CEREBRAL INFARCTION). CADASIL is an acronym for Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy. CADASIL differs from BINSWANGER DISEASE by the presence of MIGRAINE WITH AURA and usually by the lack of history of arterial HYPERTENSION. (From Bradley et al, Neurology in Clinical Practice, 2000, p1146)
