Latest news with #hypertension
Medscape
a day ago
- Health
- Medscape
Home BP Readings Often Beat Office Measurements
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Do you trust home blood pressure monitoring? You should, especially if it's done correctly. In fact, for many patients, it gives better data than occasional in-office readings, especially if they have white coat hypertension or masked hypertension. Here's how I interpret these data. First, I always ask if the device is validated and used properly. Upper arm cuffs are preferred, not wrist cuffs. Make sure they're sitting quietly for 5 minutes, back is supported, feet are flat, and no caffeine, smoking, or exercise within 30 minutes of the measurement. Then I look at the pattern, not one-off values. I ask patients to check twice in the morning and twice in the evening for 5 or 7 days. That gives me about 20-28 readings, which is enough to assess the true averages. I'm aiming for a home blood pressure goal that is slightly lower than the threshold used in the office, per the guidelines. If the average is above that consistently and the technique is solid, then I consider adjusting the therapy for that particular patient. Also, don't ignore variability. Wide swings may suggest nonadherence, autonomic dysfunction, or even secondary hypertension. If numbers are too low, especially with symptoms, it may be time to reduce the medications. Bottom line, home blood pressure data are reliable when done right. It often gives us a more accurate picture of real-world control than those seen in the office, and it should be part of routine hypertension management.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
George Medicines signs exclusive licensing agreement with Azurity Pharmaceuticals to commercialize WIDAPLIK™ (telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide) tablets in the US
George Medicines signs exclusive licensing agreement with Azurity Pharmaceuticals to commercialize WIDAPLIK™ (telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide) tablets in the USLondon, UK, Boston, MA, USA, 21 July 2025 – George Medicines, a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing significant unmet needs in cardiometabolic disease, has entered into an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Azurity Pharmaceuticals ('Azurity'), a privately held global pharmaceutical company committed to delivering innovative, high-quality medicines for overlooked patients, granting Azurity exclusive rights to commercialize WIDAPLIK in the United States. WIDAPLIK is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, including as initial treatment, to lower blood pressure. It is a proprietary single pill combination of three medicines: telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide and is available in three doses (10/1.25/0.625 mg, 20/2.5/1.25 mg, and 40/5/2.5 mg strengths), including two doses that are lower than those currently available in single pill combinations. It is the first and only FDA-approved triple combination medication for use as an initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve blood pressure goals. WIDAPLIK, with its three different doses, can deliver the efficacy benefits of a triple mechanism approach early in the treatment pathway with an established safety profile. WIDAPLIK carries a Boxed Warning for fetal toxicity and should be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is detected. Please see full Prescribing Information and Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning for WIDAPLIK is granted a license to exclusively commercialize WIDAPLIK, supplied by George Medicines, in the U.S. in return for milestone and royalty payments. Citibank acted as transaction advisor to George Medicines. Azurity's commercialization of WIDAPLIK is expected to commence in Q4 2025. Mark Mallon, Chief Executive Officer of George Medicines, said: 'This second major licensing and supply agreement, following the agreement established with Bausch Health in January 2025, further signals the substantial momentum for this triple combination therapy and our commitment to bring this medicine to patients in need around the world. Hypertension remains one of the most persistent public health challenges in the United States, with only one in four adults with the condition having their blood pressure under control. Our agreement with Azurity marks a pivotal step in George Medicines' commitment to address the unmet needs in hypertension management and improve outcomes for patients across the United States of America.' Ronald Scarboro, CEO, Azurity Pharmaceuticals, said: 'This collaboration supports Azurity's commitment to bringing highly differentiated products to patients with unmet needs. WIDAPLIK is a novel fixed-dose combination designed to simplify hypertension management for patients likely to require multiple therapies. It is a great fit for our cardiovascular portfolio and unique commercialization capabilities. We are pleased to bring this newly approved treatment option to patients in the US.'About George Medicines George Medicines is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company addressing significant unmet need in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases with innovative single-pill combinations of existing treatments, designed for a balance of efficacy and safety, with the potential to improve patient adherence. Multi-mechanism, single-pill combinations offer the potential to bring significant improvements in clinical outcomes with cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertension, which remain among the leading causes of premature death and disability worldwide. George Medicines is an independent spin-out company from The George Institute for Global Health, one of the world's leading medical research institutes with a focus on addressing global health inequity. The Company is backed by George Health, the commercial arm of The George Institute, and Brandon Capital, Australia's leading life sciences venture capital firm. For more information, please visit About Azurity PharmaceuticalsAzurity Pharmaceuticals is a privately held company committed to delivering innovative, high-quality medicines for overlooked patients. Azurity's global footprint is over 50 countries, with a diversified portfolio of 50+ medicines spanning 10 dosage forms and 10 key therapeutic areas. Powered by its Next-Gen Commercial Model, Azurity leverages data, analytics, and AI-driven digital tools to enhance market reach and stakeholder engagement. Our medicines have benefited millions of people. For more information, please visit Disclosure notice: Azurity and George Medicines undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events, or evolving circumstances. Media contacts ICR Healthcare David Daley, Lindsey Neville, Tom Daniel georgemedicines@ Tel: +44 (0) 203 709 5700 Azurity Pharmaceuticals Media Relationsmedia@ © 2025 George Medicines Pty LimitedALL RIGHTS in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn originally appeared on Parade. High blood pressure is incredibly common, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults. Certain medications—thankfully—can help people manage hypertension, lowering their odds of further heart health issues. However, cardiologists emphasize that lifestyle tweaks, particularly dietary changes, are crucial to maintaining blood pressure levels within a normal range."Diet plays a key role because what we eat directly affects blood pressure through mechanisms like sodium (salt) balance, blood vessel health and body weight," explains , the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health. "By making healthy food choices, people can lower their blood pressure naturally, sometimes even reducing the need for medication."Unfortunately, sometimes people think they are making a healthy choice by reaching for certain snacks that can actually make hypertension worse. Cardiologists warn that this one snack has a better reputation for heart health than it should. 🩺 💊 This 'Healthy' Snack Can Worsen Hypertension, Cardiologists Say Cardiologists warn that people often overlook the high salt content in pretzels, which check other "heart-healthy" boxes. However, they don't recommend consuming tons of pretzels regularly if you have high blood pressure (or want to avoid it). "Pretzels have a misleading image of being healthy because they are low-fat—they contain less than 2 grams of fat per serving," shares , the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center. "Unlike potato chips, pretzels are baked, which consumers view as a healthier preparation method."Specifically, Dr. Talreja warns that brands that make pretzels typically stamp phrases like "0 grams of saturated fat" on the front of the bag. While the American Heart Association and cardiologists agree that it's important to check the nutrition label for saturated fat, it's not the be-all, end-all clue that a snack is heart-friendly. "Low-fat foods have been historically touted as 'healthy,'" explains, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. "While there is some truth to this, as saturated fats can be strongly associated with LDL-C levels and fats are calorie-dense and can lead to weight gain, the sodium content, the most important dietary parameter for modulation of blood pressure, may be overlooked. For those who are sensitive to dietary sodium intake, pretzels may not be a healthy choice." Related: The Problem With Pretzels and Hypertension The biggest issue with pretzels is that they contain high amounts of sodium, which can worsen high blood pressure. "The biggest consideration of pretzels when it comes to hypertension is the sodium content," Dr. Berg warns. "A single serving of store-bought pretzels can have more than 300 mg of sodium, which is substantial if patients are attempting to minimize their sodium intake and maintain a goal of less than 1,500-2,300 mg daily."Indeed, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day, but advises people with high blood pressure to reduce their intake even further—aiming for a maximum of 1,500 mg per day. "That's less than two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt total—including everything in packaged, canned, and restaurant foods," Dr. Talreja says. "Sodium can cause your body to retain water, increase blood volume and raise your blood pressure. For people with or at risk for hypertension, high-salt snacks like pretzels can undermine their blood pressure control efforts."To put pretzels in perspective, Drs. Talreja and Feingold both stress that this snack contains around 20% of your daily sodium allotment per serving. Let's double-tap on that for a second. "As often happens with snacks, people easily can consume two to three servings without realizing it," Dr. Feingold points isn't the only hidden heart health risk with pretzels. "Pretzels also are made from white flour, which causes rapid sugar spikes, which can lead to higher blood pressure and vascular inflammation," he reveals. Related: A Simple Tip for Salt Intake The "benefits" listed on the front of food bags can trick us into thinking a snack like pretzels is heart-healthy, when in fact it can worsen blood pressure. Dr. Talreja emphasizes that it's crucial to flip the bag over and has a simple mental math tip to help you determine whether or not to add the snack to your car."A simple guideline is for us to look at the label and calorie information on the back of the box," he says. "If there are more milligrams of salt than calories per serving of a packaged food, it should be considered a high salt product." Related: The Cardiologist-Recommended Diet for High Blood Pressure Cardiologists recommend that people sprint to learn more about the DASH diet for blood pressure control."DASH—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—is an evidence-based diet designed to combat high blood pressure through comprehensive nutritional strategies," Dr. Feingold The DASH diet isn't about depriving yourself of meals and snacks. Instead, it's all about loading up on delicious foods that support your efforts to control your blood pressure. Dr. Berg mentions that DASH-friendly foods include: Cruciferous vegetables (Kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) Spinach Skinless poultry Salmon Low-fat/fat-free yogurt (especially Greek yogurt for added protein content) Oatmeal Brown rice Lentils Bananas Bell peppers Beans Berries Related: 3 More Tips for Managing Hypertension Diet is one pillar of managing hypertension. However, cardiologists agree that a holistic approach, including exercise, stress relief and monitoring, is crucial. Scroll on for three more practical tips for keeping blood pressure levels in a healthy range. 1. Make exercise a habit You often hear diet and exercise mentioned in the same breath as two keys to a healthy lifestyle and managing chronic conditions. Hypertension is no different."The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity," Dr. Berg Berg says that low-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, counts. You'll simply want to ensure that you're walking "briskly" enough to get your heart rate up and breathing heavier. However, you'll still be able to talk. 2. Reduce your stress through breathing exercises Yes, stress can raise blood pressure. "Chronic stress elevates cortisol and activates the sympathetic nervous system, both of which increase blood pressure," Dr. Feingold explains. "Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response and immediately lowering blood pressure."He recommends five to 10 minutes of deep, diaphragmatic breathing daily, preferably at the same time to establish a 2020 meta-analysis in Hypertension found that mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques lowered stress and high blood pressure. 3. Monitor your blood pressure at home Knowledge is power, and Dr. Talreja says that monitoring blood pressure at home can help you flag issues."Home tracking helps catch changes early and shows whether lifestyle or medications are working," he shares. "The best solution is to start a home log and paper, which you can take with you to the doctor's record your heart rate and any unusual events that day, for example, stresses or changes in diet." Up Next:Sources: High Blood Pressure Facts. CDC. Dr. Deepak Talreja, MD, the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health Dr. Aaron Feingold, MD, the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center Saturated Fat. American Heart Association. Dr. Christopher Berg, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. DASH Diet: A Review of Its Scientifically Proven Hypertension Reduction and Health Benefits. Cureus. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Effect and Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure or Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypertension. This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn first appeared on Parade on Jul 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn
This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn originally appeared on Parade. High blood pressure is incredibly common, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults. Certain medications—thankfully—can help people manage hypertension, lowering their odds of further heart health issues. However, cardiologists emphasize that lifestyle tweaks, particularly dietary changes, are crucial to maintaining blood pressure levels within a normal range."Diet plays a key role because what we eat directly affects blood pressure through mechanisms like sodium (salt) balance, blood vessel health and body weight," explains , the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health. "By making healthy food choices, people can lower their blood pressure naturally, sometimes even reducing the need for medication."Unfortunately, sometimes people think they are making a healthy choice by reaching for certain snacks that can actually make hypertension worse. Cardiologists warn that this one snack has a better reputation for heart health than it should. 🩺 💊 This 'Healthy' Snack Can Worsen Hypertension, Cardiologists Say Cardiologists warn that people often overlook the high salt content in pretzels, which check other "heart-healthy" boxes. However, they don't recommend consuming tons of pretzels regularly if you have high blood pressure (or want to avoid it). "Pretzels have a misleading image of being healthy because they are low-fat—they contain less than 2 grams of fat per serving," shares , the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center. "Unlike potato chips, pretzels are baked, which consumers view as a healthier preparation method."Specifically, Dr. Talreja warns that brands that make pretzels typically stamp phrases like "0 grams of saturated fat" on the front of the bag. While the American Heart Association and cardiologists agree that it's important to check the nutrition label for saturated fat, it's not the be-all, end-all clue that a snack is heart-friendly. "Low-fat foods have been historically touted as 'healthy,'" explains, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. "While there is some truth to this, as saturated fats can be strongly associated with LDL-C levels and fats are calorie-dense and can lead to weight gain, the sodium content, the most important dietary parameter for modulation of blood pressure, may be overlooked. For those who are sensitive to dietary sodium intake, pretzels may not be a healthy choice." Related: The Problem With Pretzels and Hypertension The biggest issue with pretzels is that they contain high amounts of sodium, which can worsen high blood pressure. "The biggest consideration of pretzels when it comes to hypertension is the sodium content," Dr. Berg warns. "A single serving of store-bought pretzels can have more than 300 mg of sodium, which is substantial if patients are attempting to minimize their sodium intake and maintain a goal of less than 1,500-2,300 mg daily."Indeed, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day, but advises people with high blood pressure to reduce their intake even further—aiming for a maximum of 1,500 mg per day. "That's less than two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt total—including everything in packaged, canned, and restaurant foods," Dr. Talreja says. "Sodium can cause your body to retain water, increase blood volume and raise your blood pressure. For people with or at risk for hypertension, high-salt snacks like pretzels can undermine their blood pressure control efforts."To put pretzels in perspective, Drs. Talreja and Feingold both stress that this snack contains around 20% of your daily sodium allotment per serving. Let's double-tap on that for a second. "As often happens with snacks, people easily can consume two to three servings without realizing it," Dr. Feingold points isn't the only hidden heart health risk with pretzels. "Pretzels also are made from white flour, which causes rapid sugar spikes, which can lead to higher blood pressure and vascular inflammation," he reveals. Related: A Simple Tip for Salt Intake The "benefits" listed on the front of food bags can trick us into thinking a snack like pretzels is heart-healthy, when in fact it can worsen blood pressure. Dr. Talreja emphasizes that it's crucial to flip the bag over and has a simple mental math tip to help you determine whether or not to add the snack to your car."A simple guideline is for us to look at the label and calorie information on the back of the box," he says. "If there are more milligrams of salt than calories per serving of a packaged food, it should be considered a high salt product." Related: The Cardiologist-Recommended Diet for High Blood Pressure Cardiologists recommend that people sprint to learn more about the DASH diet for blood pressure control."DASH—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—is an evidence-based diet designed to combat high blood pressure through comprehensive nutritional strategies," Dr. Feingold The DASH diet isn't about depriving yourself of meals and snacks. Instead, it's all about loading up on delicious foods that support your efforts to control your blood pressure. Dr. Berg mentions that DASH-friendly foods include: Cruciferous vegetables (Kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) Spinach Skinless poultry Salmon Low-fat/fat-free yogurt (especially Greek yogurt for added protein content) Oatmeal Brown rice Lentils Bananas Bell peppers Beans Berries Related: 3 More Tips for Managing Hypertension Diet is one pillar of managing hypertension. However, cardiologists agree that a holistic approach, including exercise, stress relief and monitoring, is crucial. Scroll on for three more practical tips for keeping blood pressure levels in a healthy range. 1. Make exercise a habit You often hear diet and exercise mentioned in the same breath as two keys to a healthy lifestyle and managing chronic conditions. Hypertension is no different."The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity," Dr. Berg Berg says that low-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, counts. You'll simply want to ensure that you're walking "briskly" enough to get your heart rate up and breathing heavier. However, you'll still be able to talk. 2. Reduce your stress through breathing exercises Yes, stress can raise blood pressure. "Chronic stress elevates cortisol and activates the sympathetic nervous system, both of which increase blood pressure," Dr. Feingold explains. "Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response and immediately lowering blood pressure."He recommends five to 10 minutes of deep, diaphragmatic breathing daily, preferably at the same time to establish a 2020 meta-analysis in Hypertension found that mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques lowered stress and high blood pressure. 3. Monitor your blood pressure at home Knowledge is power, and Dr. Talreja says that monitoring blood pressure at home can help you flag issues."Home tracking helps catch changes early and shows whether lifestyle or medications are working," he shares. "The best solution is to start a home log and paper, which you can take with you to the doctor's record your heart rate and any unusual events that day, for example, stresses or changes in diet." Up Next:Sources: High Blood Pressure Facts. CDC. Dr. Deepak Talreja, MD, the clinical chief of cardiology for Sentara Health Dr. Aaron Feingold, MD, the chair of cardiology at JFK University Medical Center Saturated Fat. American Heart Association. Dr. Christopher Berg, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. DASH Diet: A Review of Its Scientifically Proven Hypertension Reduction and Health Benefits. Cureus. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Effect and Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure or Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypertension. This Popular 'Healthy' Snack May Be Worsening Your Hypertension, Cardiologists Warn first appeared on Parade on Jul 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Medscape
15-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Severe Obesity Tied to DISH-Related Spinal Changes
TOPLINE: This study linked severe obesity to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)-related spinal radiographic changes in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study of the effect of obesity on DISH-related spinal radiographic changes vs degenerative changes in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Overall, 124 MetS patients with diabetes, hypertension, and BMI of 25 or higher were categorized into four obesity classes: 0 (BMI, 25.0-29.9), I (BMI, 30.0-34.9), II (BMI, 35.0-39.9), and III (BMI ≥ 40). Spine and chest radiographs were assessed to determine the presence of both DISH-related chunky spondylophytes and degenerative spondylophytes. DISH was diagnosed when spondylophytes spanned at least four contiguous vertebrae. TAKEAWAY: Among patients with MetS, 33.9% were diagnosed with DISH. Patients with DISH had significantly more DISH-related chunky spondylophytes (P < .0001) and fewer degenerative spondylophytes (P = .04) than those without. Patients in obesity classes II and III had significantly more DISH-related chunky spondylophytes vs classes 0 and I (P = .02), with a comparable number of degenerative spondylophytes between groups. DISH patients in obesity classes II and III had more DISH-related chunky spondylophytes than those in lower classes (14.1 vs 9.7); however, the difference was not statistically significant. IN PRACTICE: 'Our results support the hypothesis that obesity may not only be a comorbid condition but also a driving factor in the formation of Drc [DISH-related chunky]-spondylophytes,' the authors wrote. 'The strong association between obesity and DISH-related radiographic changes underscores the importance of integrating weight management strategies into the clinical care of MetS patients to potentially mitigate the progression of Drc-spondylophytes,' they added. SOURCE: This study was led by David Kiefer, MD, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Herne, Germany. It was published online on July 1, 2025, in The Journal of Rheumatology. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design of the study may have introduced selection bias. Additionally, the study cohort was limited to patients with MetS, which could have led to an overrepresentation of obesity and related comorbidities, potentially limiting generalizability to populations without MetS or with lower BMI. DISCLOSURES: This study received no financial or industrial support. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
