BACKGROUND Ginsenoside Rg3 and arginine-fructose (Arg-Fru) are known as the hypotensive compounds of Panax ginseng; however, their efficacy on antihypertension has not been reported yet to our best knowledge. Thus, hypotensive components-enriched fraction of red ginseng (HCEF-RG) was prepared from fine root concentrate (FR) and their antihypertensive effects were investigated in spontaneously h...

BACKGROUND Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are associated with heart failure and increased mortality in the general population. We investigated rs198389, a functional variant in the promoter region of the BNP gene (NPPB), in patients from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study to investigate associations with N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) levels and outcomes. METHODS ...

The aims of present study were to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic significance of masked hypertension in diabetic patients. Using a cross-sectional design, 266 patients with documented type 2 diabetes mellitus and clinic blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mm Hg without antihypertension treatment were enrolled; 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was applied to evaluate mean 24-hour ...

BACKGROUND Obesity and its association with reduced life expectancy are well established, with cardiovascular disease as one of the major causes of fatality. Metabolic surgery is a powerful intervention for severe obesity, resulting in improvement in comorbid diseases and in cardiovascular risk factors. This study investigates the relationship between metabolic surgery and long-term cardiovascu...

Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen in Chinese) is the dried root of Pueraria lobata, a semiwoody, perennial, and leguminous vine native to China. Puerarin is one of the effective components of isoflavones isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata. Previous studies showed that extracts derived from the root of Pueraria lobata possessed antihypertensive effect. Our study is to investigate whether pue...

INTRODUCTION Risk factors associated with many chronic diseases can be improved through regular physical activity. This study investigated whether cross-sectional associations between physical activity, assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign (EVS), and cardiometabolic risk factors can be detected in clinical settings. METHODS We used electronic records from Kaiser Permanente Southern California ...

Prior research' 2 has shown that black Americans tend to have higher mean blood pressure levels than their white compatriots and that the death rate due to hypertension and related disorders (e.g., hypertensive heart disease and strokes) is considerably higher among blacks than whites. The reasons for these differences are not fully understood, although most researchers attribute them to a comb...

BACKGROUND The detection of hypertension in black Caribbean populations is good, but its control is thought to be inadequate. AIM To explore how black Caribbean patients with hypertension understand their condition, and the strategies they use in managing hypertension. DESIGN OF STUDY Qualitative study using in-depth interviews. SETTING One general practice in inner-city London. METHOD ...

BACKGROUND Earlier studies on hypertension demonstrated seasonal variations in different age groups. However, slightly greater fluctuations were found in the hypertensive elderly. OBJECTIVE We conducted a prospective 5-year study from January 1997 to December 2001 to evaluate the seasonal variation in blood pressure and the variables of age, gender, body mass index and related complications i...

BACKGROUND Antihypertension medication (antihypertensive) adherence lowers risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); few studies have examined this association among older adults. METHODS AND RESULTS We assessed this association among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 66 to 79 years who were newly diagnosed with hypertension and initiated on antihypertensives in 2008-2009 (n=155 597). W...