Blood pressure

• Antihypertensives

High Blood Pressure: Salt in our food is a major cause, but don’t tell the FDA

Salt in our food is a major cause of high blood pressure (hypertension) – but it’s news to the American food industry. There, salt intake from food has increased by 50 per cent since 1970 – and it’s... more »

High Blood Pressure: If you want to know the truth, test it at night

You go to the doctor’s surgery to have your blood pressure checked – and it’s dangerously high. Does this mean you’re an immediate candidate for an antihypertensive drug or, worse, a heart attack? more »

High Blood Pressure: Dark chocolate can ward off hypertension

We all know that fresh vegetables and fruit are good for us, but so is a little dark chocolate. Even just one square a day can reduce blood pressure, researchers have discovered. more »

High Blood Pressure: Traffic noise may be a cause

Road traffic noise may be a cause of high blood pressure, or hypertension. more »

Blood Pressure: It’s what your left arm’s for

If you’re having your blood pressure taken, always present your left arm for the cuff. Blood pressure readings from the left arm are usually lower than from the right. more »

Blood Thinners: Treatment is too long, and dangerous – just as they pointed out 15 years ago

Doctors still routinely give patients a blood thinner such as warfarin and heparin for six months to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism – and they could be putting the patient’s li... more »

High Blood Pressure: Two types of drugs increase the risk of diabetes (and two lower it)

Beta blockers and diuretics – designed to lower blood pressure – increase the risk of diabetes, a major new study has found. more »

Measuring blood pressure

Having no symptoms, hypertension can only be diagnosed by measuring it. Two readings are taken: the pressure of the blood when pumping (systolic), and the resting pressure between each heartbeat (dias... more »

What are diuretics?

Diuretics were invented 70 years ago to reduce body swelling due to water retention. They are based on relatively simple chemical formulas that work by encouraging the kidneys to expel more urine, more »

Keeping blood pressure in check safely

There are literally scores of ways to reduce high blood pressure (BP) without having to take recourse to drugs. more »

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