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All Hypertension and Stroke Special Reports
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Controlling Difficult-to-Control Hypertension
If you're being treated for hypertension, your physician wants your blood pressure to reach certain goals. For most individuals, that goal is less than 140/90 mm Hg. For people with diabetes or kidney disease, the goal is even lower -- less than 130/80 mm Hg. Some people attain these goals while taking one or two blood pressure medications. Others need three. But when three drugs don't get your blood pressure to the target level, you… More...
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When Your Heart Feels Like It's Skipping a Beat
Poets and novelists say it can be a sign of love. However, a racing and skipping heart is more likely to signal a heart rhythm abnormality than romance. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins discusses the connection between atrial fibrillation and stroke.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 2.3 million individuals. It occurs when the upper chambers (atria) of the heart beat rapidly and chaotically,… More...
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Guidelines on Controlling Pain Without Raising Your Blood Pressure
Does your pain reliever raise blood pressure? Recently the American Heart Association (AHA) released a statement warning about the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in people taking pain medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- not only celecoxib (Celebrex) but also over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). The only exception was the NSAID aspirin, which actually protects against heart attacks and strokes. … More...
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Get Moving To Lower Your Blood Pressure
If you are like many older Americans with high blood pressure, you probably lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle. But studies show that beginning a physical activity program at any age can improve your heart health. And the good news is that the studies also show that the level of physical activity does not have to be strenuous to reap the benefits. … More...
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Thriving on a Low-Salt Diet
All of us need some salt to survive, but too much can lead to poor health. A high salt intake not only increases blood pressure but also raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In this article, Johns Hopkins offers practical advice to help you reduce the salt in your diet and still enjoy satisfying meals. … More...
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Advice to Help You Remember Your Blood Pressure Medication
Your physician has probably told you that it is extremely important to take your blood pressure medicine exactly as prescribed, and he or she is right. Following your doctor's instructions to the letter will help you effectively manage your blood pressure levels and reduce your risk of hypertension complications and drug side effects. … More...
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Blood Pressure Basics
Blood does not travel in a steady flow through the body. Instead it is propelled through the blood vessels with the force of every heartbeat. Here’s a brief overview.
Every organ and tissue in your body requires a constant supply of blood. This blood supply provides the oxygen and nutrients your body needs to perform its normal functions and to dispose of the waste products that result from these functions. … More...
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Stents for the Carotid Arteries
Five years ago, the only way to treat a carotid artery narrowed by the buildup of plaque was to perform a surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy. Today, however, you and your doctor may have another option in the fight against a stroke -- a less invasive procedure that involves the use of carotid artery stents. More...
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Is it Alzheimer's disease or stroke-related dementia?
Since Ronald Reagan announced to the world in 1994 that he had Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease has been in the consciousness of many Americans. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, causing problems with thinking, memory, and speaking, but it’s not the only kind of dementia. In fact, if you’ve had a stroke, a common consequence can be the development of a neurological disorder called vascular dementia. More...
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Coping With Side Effects of Blood Pressure Medication
If you are taking medication to control your blood pressure, you may experience symptoms—some of which may be side effects from the blood pressure medication. Many medication-related side effects diminish with time, but if they persist or are troublesome, your doctor may be able to minimize them by lowering the dosage, switching you to another drug, or prescribing medication to counteract the side effects. Alternatively, some side effects—particularly the less severe ones—can be managed with lifestyle or self-care measures. More...
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Nothing Minor About Ministrokes
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) may not seem like an emergency. The symptoms—although nearly identical to a stroke — are by definition temporary, lasting no longer than 24 hours and often subsiding within 20 minutes. These so-called ministrokes are rarely painful, and people often put off seeking medical care or never consult a doctor at all about their symptoms. More...
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Blood Pressure and Brain Power
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a known risk factor for vascular dementia (a condition caused by a series of tiny strokes that impair mental function and memory in older adults). Now a new study provides evidence of another link between high blood pressure and future mental decline. The study found that high blood pressure may play a role in the development of brain lesions that affect mental function. More...
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Classifying Blood Pressure
With the publication of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure—more commonly known as JNC 7—a new system of classifying blood pressure was adopted in 2003. This classification system has three categories: normal, prehypertension, and hypertension (stage 1 and stage 2). More...
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