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Current Cardiology Reports Oct 2023Blood pressure (BP) fluctuations outside of clinic are increasingly recognized for their role in the development of cardiovascular disease, syncope, and premature death... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Blood pressure (BP) fluctuations outside of clinic are increasingly recognized for their role in the development of cardiovascular disease, syncope, and premature death and as a promising target for tailored hypertension treatment. However, current cuff-based BP devices, including home and ambulatory devices, are unable to capture the breadth of BP variability across human activities, experiences, and contexts.
RECENT FINDINGS
Cuffless, wearable BP devices offer the promise of beat-to-beat, continuous, noninvasive measurement of BP during both awake and sleep periods with minimal patient inconvenience. Importantly, cuffless BP devices can characterize BP variability, allowing for the identification of patient-specific triggers of BP surges in the home environment. Unfortunately, the pace of evidence, regulation, and validation testing has lagged behind the pace of innovation and direct consumer marketing. We provide an overview of the available technologies and devices for cuffless BP monitoring, considerations for the calibration and validation of these devices, and the promise and pitfalls of the cuffless BP paradigm.
Topics: Humans; Blood Pressure; Illusions; Blood Pressure Determination; Hypertension; Sphygmomanometers
PubMed: 37688763
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01932-4 -
Clinical outcomes of a digitally supported approach for self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Frontiers in Public Health 2023Self-management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is challenging. Regular self-monitoring of blood glucose and healthy lifestyles are required to improve glycometabolic...
BACKGROUND
Self-management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is challenging. Regular self-monitoring of blood glucose and healthy lifestyles are required to improve glycometabolic control, thus delaying diabetes complications, and reducing hospitalizations. Digital technologies can empower patients in their disease management promoting self-management and motivation to change behaviors. We report the results of an exploratory trial aimed at evaluating the metabolic outcomes of using digital solutions for T2D self-management developed in the ProEmpower project, a European Commission funded Pre-Commercial Procurement.
METHODS
Two digital solutions, DM4All and DiaWatch, which were codesigned with providers, patients, and caregivers, enabled the collection of clinical parameters by the patient using a smartphone integrated with the medical devices (glucometer, sphygmomanometer, scale, smart watch for heart rate monitoring and step counter). Data were automatically sent to the shared care plan allowing professionals to monitor adherence to treatment, set goals, and communicate more effectively with patients. At baseline and after an average follow-up of 8 months, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, blood pressure, and blood lipids were measured in 100 T2D patients using the ProEmpower solutions across different diabetes centers in Campania Region, age 45-79 years, both genders, and compared with a Control cohort of T2D patients ( = 100) with similar clinical characteristics and followed for a comparable period of observation in the same centers.
RESULTS
At baseline, the ProEmpower participants and the Control subjects were on average overweight, with a similar BMI in the two cohorts, and mean HbA1c was at acceptable levels (around 7.0%). After the 8 month exploratory trial, body weight, HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and plasma and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased in the ProEmpower participants compared to baseline ( < 0.05 for all). The changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and plasma and LDL-cholesterol were significantly different from those observed in the Control cohort ( < 0.05 for all).
CONCLUSION
This pilot study showed positive effects on metabolic outcomes relevant to cardiovascular risk in T2D of adopting digital telemedicine self-monitoring solutions based on automation of measurements and coaching on healthy lifestyles promotion.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Body Weight; Cholesterol, LDL; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glycated Hemoglobin; Pilot Projects; Self-Management
PubMed: 37663860
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1219661 -
Cureus Oct 2023Background Anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are two significant high-risk conditions that can have a profound impact on maternal health during pregnancy....
Background Anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are two significant high-risk conditions that can have a profound impact on maternal health during pregnancy. The scarcity of studies investigating the potential links and interactions between these two conditions adds to the gap in our understanding of their combined impact on pregnant women. This study aimed to assess the impact of PIH in conjunction with anemia and without anemia on pregnancy outcomes. Methods A prospective study was conducted among 150 primi pregnant women (third trimester of pregnancy) from a secondary-care hospital (Government General Headquarters Hospital, Cuddalore) in Tamil Nadu, India. The study population was selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire to assess sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and outcomes of pregnancy. Clinical parameters such as blood pressure were measured using a sphygmomanometer, and hemoglobin and urine tests for protein were obtained from the patient's medical records. Results The result showed that out of 150 primi pregnant women, 73 (49%) had PIH and 77 (51%) experienced both PIH and anemia. On comparing the outcomes, pregnant women with PIH accompanied by anemia exhibited developing preeclampsia (p<0.001), encountered maternal complications (p=0.034), delivered preterm babies (p=0.03), and gave birth to low-birth-weight babies (p<0.001), and their newborns admitted to the NICU (p=0.02). Additionally, pregnant women with both PIH and anemia demonstrated significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure after delivery (p=0.009). Conclusion The study calls for the immediate attention of healthcare providers for vigilant monitoring and addressing anemia in conjunction with PIH to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
PubMed: 37927714
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46390 -
JAMA Network Open Sep 2023The local environment remains an understudied contributor to elevated blood pressure among older adults. Untargeted approaches can identify neighborhood conditions...
IMPORTANCE
The local environment remains an understudied contributor to elevated blood pressure among older adults. Untargeted approaches can identify neighborhood conditions interrelated with racial segregation that drive hypertension disparities.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate independent associations of sociodemographic, economic, and housing neighborhood factors with elevated blood pressure.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this cohort study, the sample included Health and Retirement Study participants who had between 1 and 3 sets of biennial sphygmomanometer readings from 2006 to 2014 or 2008 to 2016. Statistical analyses were conducted from February 5 to November 30, 2021.
EXPOSURES
Fifty-one standardized American Community Survey census tract variables (2005-2009).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Elevated sphygmomanometer readings over the study period (6-year period prevalence): a value of at least 140 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and/or at least 90 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. Participants were divided 50:50 into training and test data sets. Generalized estimating equations were used to summarize multivariable associations between each neighborhood variable and the period prevalence of elevated blood pressure, adjusting for individual-level covariates. Any neighborhood factor associated (Simes-adjusted for multiple comparisons P ≤ .05) with elevated blood pressure in the training data set was rerun in the test data set to gauge model performance. Lastly, in the full cohort, race- and ethnicity-stratified associations were evaluated for each identified neighborhood factor on the likelihood of elevated blood pressure.
RESULTS
Of 12 946 participants, 4565 (35%) had elevated sphygmomanometer readings (median [IQR] age, 68 [63-73] years; 2283 [50%] male; 228 [5%] Hispanic or Latino, 502 [11%] non-Hispanic Black, and 3761 [82%] non-Hispanic White). Between 2006 and 2016, a lower likelihood of elevated blood pressure was observed (relative risk for highest vs lowest tertile, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.96) among participants residing in a neighborhood with recent (post-1999) in-migration of homeowners. This association was precise among participants with non-Hispanic White and other race and ethnicity (relative risk, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.97) but not non-Hispanic Black participants (relative risk, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.85-1.11; P = .48 for interaction) or Hispanic or Latino participants (relative risk, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.65-1.09; P = .78 for interaction).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this cohort study of older adults, recent relocation of homeowners to a neighborhood was robustly associated with reduced likelihood of elevated blood pressure among White participants but not their racially and ethnically marginalized counterparts. Our findings indicate that gentrification may influence later-life blood pressure control.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Female; Blood Pressure; Cohort Studies; Hypertension; Neighborhood Characteristics; Ethnicity
PubMed: 37747730
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.35534 -
Physiological Research Nov 2023The development of methods for measuring blood pressure (BP) in newborns and small children has a rich history. Methods for BP measuring in adults had to be adapted to... (Review)
Review
The development of methods for measuring blood pressure (BP) in newborns and small children has a rich history. Methods for BP measuring in adults had to be adapted to this age group. For measuring BP in direct invasive way, a suitable approach had to be found to access the arterial circulation through the umbilical and later radialis artery. Currently, results obtained from direct invasive BP measurement are considered the "gold standard". The development of non-invasive methods for BP measuring in newborns and children began with the use of von Basch's sphygmomanometer (1880). In 1899, Gustav Gärtner constructed the device, which was the basis for the flush method. After the discovery of the palpation and auscultation methods, these methods were also used for BP measurement in newborns and children, however, the BP values obtained in these ways were typically underestimated using excessively wide cuffs. From the auscultation method, methods utilizing ultrasound and infrasound to detect arterial wall movement and blood flow were later developed. The oscillometric method for BP measurement was introduced by E. J. Marey so early as in 1876. In 1912, P. Balard used the oscillometric technique to measure blood pressure in a large group of newborns. Through different types of oscillometers using various methods for detecting vascular oscillations (such as xylol method, impedance and volume plethysmography, etc.), the development has continued to assessment of vascular oscillations by modern sensor technology and software. For continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurement, the volume-clamp method, first described by Jan Peňáz in 1968, was developed. After modification for use in newborns, application of the cuff to the wrist instead of the finger, it is primarily used in clinical physiological studies to evaluate beat-to-beat BP and heart rate pressure variability, such as in the determination of the baroreflex sensitivity.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination; Arterial Pressure; Arteries; Fingers
PubMed: 38015754
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935173