Hypertension Friendly Food AI Assistant Launched: Blood Pressure Digest #19
Blood Pressure Digest #19

Hypertension Friendly Food AI Assistant Launched: Blood Pressure Digest #19

INNOVATIONS

Pressura launches FoodForBP.com, an AI powered tool to hypertension sufferers

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Personalised Assessment of Your Eating Habits by FoodForBP.com

Heartery , a dedicated team of digital health experts, medical doctors, developers, and UI designers, proudly announces the launch of FoodForBP.com, a ground-breaking AI-powered assistant designed specifically for hypertension sufferers. This innovative platform addresses the dietary challenges faced by millions worldwide with high blood pressure.

FoodForBP.com assesses users' current eating habits in relation to blood pressure management by posing user-friendly pre-choiced basic triage questions. Based on this assessment, the AI assistant generates personalized meal plans that take into account users' culinary preferences, dietary needs, food availability, and any allergies or intolerances.

This unique tool aims to improve hypertension management by providing tailored, blood pressure-friendly meal options while promoting healthy eating habits. As the world's first AI-powered dietary assistant focusing on hypertension, Heartery is at the forefront of digital health innovation. Heartery is committed to using advanced technology to revolutionize hypertension care and promote healthier lifestyles.

To ensure the platform's effectiveness and user satisfaction, Pressura invites users to try FoodForBP.com and provide valuable feedback. User insights will be instrumental in refining the platform's functionality, enhancing the user experience, and ultimately improving the lives of those struggling with high blood pressure. To become a beta-tester, please leave your email at Pressura site or at Heartery Linkedin Page.

Smartwatch sensor shows promise in cuff-less blood pressure monitoring study

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A recent study compared a watch-like optical sensor to conventional cuff-based devices for 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The cuff-less sensor was tested on 67 subjects and showed promising results. Average 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure differences between the two methods were minimal, according to Nature Scientific Reports . The watch-like device was found to be comfortable, highly compatible with daily activities, and better evaluated than standard ABPM. These findings suggest that cuff-less 24-hour ABPM may soon become a viable clinical option, offering patients a more comfortable and less obtrusive way to monitor blood pressure.

Martin Proença , Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology ( CSEM ) wrote: “Real-time automatic evaluation of the PPG data quality by the sensor with direct feedback to the physician - necessary for a proper calibration procedure - is also expected to improve data acceptance, by allowing the optimization of the attachment (tightness, placement, etc.) of the watch-like sensor.”

Machine learning technique to treat hypertension 5 times better

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UCLA researchers have found that a machine-learning technique called "causal forest" could make treating patients with high blood pressure about five times more efficient than current clinical practice. The study is published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics . The technique allows for personalized predictions of how each individual will benefit from a given treatment, Newswise reports. The study used data from nearly 10,700 people from two trials and estimated the effect of individualized treatment on reducing adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Results showed that the high-benefit approach, targeting those with high estimated health benefits from lowering blood pressure, outperformed the traditional high-risk approach by nearly 8 percentage points.

“The findings of our study shed light on a powerful machine learning algorithm that enables us to identify individuals who would benefit the most from strict blood pressure control, which can be a crucial element in achieving the precision medicine,” said senior author Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, MD, PhD , an associate professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and of health policy and management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health .

RESEARCH

AHA: Growing concern for high blood pressure in children

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According to a recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in its journal "Hypertension", up to 5% of children and adolescents in the US have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and as many as 18% have elevated blood pressure. The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and unhealthy lifestyles are contributing to the rise of hypertension in children. Until recently, medical experts weren't focused on hypertension as a childhood issue, said Dr. Bonita Falkner , writing committee chair for the statement. In fact, they weren't even sure how to diagnose it in children and didn't look for it unless the child had an underlying condition – such as kidney disease – that might cause blood pressure levels to climb.

"It was not common practice to measure blood pressure in children with no symptoms, so it took a while to figure out what was normal or not." said Dr Bonita Falkner, professor emeritus of medicine and pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Elevated urine protein levels could indicate higher risk of high blood pressure

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A marker of kidney function called urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) can indicate a risk of developing high blood pressure, even if the UACR value is within the normal range, according to a recent study. The study analyzed data from nearly 15,000 people and found that for each 5 mg/g increment in UACR, the prevalence of high blood pressure increased by 31%. People with the highest UACR levels were more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure compared to those with the lowest levels. The study also found that the risk was greater among people with a low body mass index. Closer monitoring of blood pressure is recommended for individuals with high UACR levels.

“Our results suggest that even within the normal range, subtly elevated UACR was associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension in the U.S. general population,” the researchers wrote.

Remote hypertension program proves effective in control during pandemic

Remote hypertension management programs have the potential to improve blood pressure control and home blood pressure data quality, according to new research, National Consulting Partners Live reports. Despite systemic disruptions to medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, a remote hypertension program supported patients in achieving blood pressure control. The study evaluated blood pressure control in a hypertension management program during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Each patient in the remote hypertension program was provided with a digitally connected home blood pressure monitor and an algorithm for hypertension management analyzed home blood pressure records and guided pharmacological decision-making. Rates of achieving goal blood pressure improved significantly during the pandemic period.

The investigative team, led by Dr Naomi Fisher , MD, Mass General Brigham , states: “During the pandemic, there was a dramatic decline in the number of patients who had their blood pressure measured, and we even saw a small nationwide increase in blood pressure”.

MEDICATIONS

Personalized medicine arrives to blood pressure management

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A recent clinical trial, published in JAMA, reveals the benefits of personalized medicine in cardiovascular care. The Precision Hypertension Care Study (PHYSIC) demonstrated that tailored blood pressure treatments could lower systolic blood pressure by an additional 4.4 mm Hg. This effect is twice that of doubling the dose of a non-tailored drug and more than half the effect of adding a second drug, DI Cardiology reports. Personalized medicine could improve treatment adherence, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of blood pressure-lowering medication, addressing the global health challenge of hypertension.

"Personally tailored treatment is now the standard of care for many patients with cancer, but personalized medicine has been much slower to take off in the cardiovascular field,” according to Professor Bruce Neal, Executive Director for The George Institute for Global Health , Australia and a co-author on the research.

LIFESTYLE

It does not matter what alcohol you drink, how much matters

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In the interview to Express, Dr. Mark Vanderpump , a consultant endocrinologist, warns that alcohol excess is a known risk factor for raised blood pressure. He clarifies that consuming more than 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women can lead to high blood pressure. The type of alcoholic drink does not significantly affect blood pressure, but higher alcohol intake worsens the effects. Some mixed drinks with higher calorie counts can lead to weight gain, which also impacts blood pressure. The UK NHS recommends that both men and women consume no more than 14 units per week, emphasizing that reducing alcohol intake can provide short-term and long-term health benefits.

Dr Mark Vanderpump cautioned: "Alcohol excess over a prolonged period is a known risk factor for raised blood pressure."

Four signs of severely high or life-threatening blood pressure

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Superdrug's Pharmacy Superintendent Niamh McMillan warns that severely high or life-threatening blood pressure can manifest as headaches, shortness of breath, chest pain, and nosebleeds. Dubbed the "silent killer," high blood pressure often takes years to develop and may not cause noticeable symptoms. McMillan emphasizes the importance of regular blood pressure checks, especially for individuals over 40. High blood pressure, left unchecked, can strain the heart, blood vessels, and other organs, increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, aortic aneurysms, and Alzheimer's disease.

Superdrug's Pharmacy Superintendent Niamh McMillan : "High blood pressure normally develops over the course of a few years and therefore, you would not normally notice any symptoms."

Dehydration effects on blood pressure must become known to all

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New findings emphasize the importance of hydration in managing hypertension, as dehydration contributes to elevated sodium levels and increased blood pressure, USA TODAY reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges Americans to pay closer attention to hydration, as inadequate management of high blood pressure can lead to serious health risks, including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. To maintain optimal blood pressure levels and reduce risks, experts recommend drinking mineral-enriched water, keeping a water bottle handy, and opting for water over sugary drinks. This new insight highlights the crucial role hydration plays in overall cardiovascular health.

"Blood pressure is related to blood volume," explains John Whyte , MD, the Chief Medical Officer of WebMD , if one is dehydrated, that decreases blood volume which causes blood pressure to drop, and as blood pressure drops, your heart rate has to increase to get more blood to your organs."

Pet owners are less likely to die of hypertension

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Pet owners are less likely to die, according to a recent study by the American Heart Association that found owning a pet reduces a person's mortality rate by 24%. Researchers have found that pet owners enjoy a range of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, higher levels of physical activity, and improved mental health, Harvard Magazine reports. Spending time with pets has been shown to lower stress levels and improve sleep quality. In addition, pet owners have been found to be more socially connected, which is critical to maintaining good health. Owning a pet provides a sense of purpose and responsibility that can improve routine and incentivize healthier choices.

Harvard Medical School clinical assistant professor Beth Frates, MD : “Owners will go on more walks for the health of the dog, more so than they will for themselves. Of course, the exercise helps both the animal and the human.”

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