Journal of hypertension
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Journal of hypertension · Jun 2013
L-Homoarginine and L-arginine are antagonistically related to blood pressure in an elderly population: the Hoorn study.
Production of nitric oxide by the vascular endothelium is crucial for the maintenance of vascular tone, an important determinant of blood pressure. L-Arginine and its homolog L-homoarginine are competitive substrates of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), whereas asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a NOS inhibitor. We evaluated the relationships between physiological levels of these amino acids and blood pressure. ⋯ In elderly participants, plasma levels of L-homoarginine and L-arginine are independently associated with clinically relevant differences in blood pressure in an antagonistic fashion.
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Journal of hypertension · Mar 2013
Review Meta AnalysisThe association between psoriasis and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Population-based observational studies have suggested a relationship between psoriasis and hypertension. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to better understand the association between psoriasis and hypertension. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register from 1 January 1980 to 1 January 2012. ⋯ In a subgroup analysis, patients with psoriatic arthritis also had an increased prevalence of hypertension (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.41-3.04). Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are associated with greater prevalence of hypertension. Patients with severe psoriasis have greater odds of hypertension than those with mild psoriasis.
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Journal of hypertension · Feb 2013
Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on blood pressure in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a 3-year follow-up.
Several studies have reported a small yet significant decrease in blood pressure (BP) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated the long-term efficiency of CPAP in the management of hypertensive patients with OSA on top of conventional antihypertensive medication. ⋯ In nonsleepy, hypertensive, OSA patients on conventional antihypertensive treatment, long-term CPAP application is not associated with lower BP levels or a need for less antihypertensive drugs for BP control.
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Journal of hypertension · Jan 2013
Pulse wave analysis of aortic pressure: diastole should also be considered.
The systolic augmentation index (sAix), calculated from the central aortic pulse wave (reconstructed from the noninvasive recording of the radial pulse with applanation tonometry), is widely used as a simple index of central arterial stiffness, but has the disadvantage of also being influenced by the timing of the reflected with respect to the forward pressure wave, as shown by its inverse dependence on heart rate (HR). During diastole, the central aortic pulse also contains reflected waves, but their relationship to arterial stiffness and HR has not been studied. ⋯ The dAix has the same degree of linkage to arterial stiffness as the more conventional sAix, while being immune to the confounding effect of HR. The quantification of diastolic aortic pressure augmentation by reflected waves could be a useful adjunct to pulse wave analysis.