24-Hour Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion and Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND: The relation between sodium intake and cardiovascular disease remains controversial, owing in part to inaccurate assessment of sodium intake. Assessing 24-hour urinary excretion over a period of multiple days is considered to be an accurate method. METHODS: We included individual-participant data from six prospective cohorts of generally healthy adults; sodium and potassium excretion was assessed with the use of at least two 24-hour urine samples per participant. The primary outcome was a cardiovascular event (coronary revascularization or fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke). We analyzed each cohort using consistent methods and combined the results using a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Among 10,709 participants, who had a mean (±SD) age of 51.5±12.6 years and of whom 54.2% were women, 571 cardiovascular events were ascertained during a median study follow-up of 8.8 years (incidence rate, 5.9 per 1000 person-years). The median 24-hour urinary sodium excretion was 3270 mg (10th to 90th percentile, 2099 to 4899). Higher sodium excretion, lower potassium excretion, and a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio were all associated with a higher cardiovascular risk in analyses that were controlled for confounding factors (P≤0.005 for all comparisons). In analyses that compared quartile 4 of the urinary biomarker (highest) with quartile 1 (lowest), the hazard ratios were 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 2.14) for sodium excretion, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.91) for potassium excretion, and 1.62 (95% CI, 1.25 to 2.10) for the sodium-to-potassium ratio. Each daily increment of 1000 mg in sodium excretion was associated with an 18% increase in cardiovascular risk (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.29), and each daily increment of 1000 mg in potassium excretion was associated with an 18% decrease in risk (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Higher sodium and lower potassium intakes, as measured in multiple 24-hour urine samples, were associated in a dose-response manner with a higher cardiovascular risk. These findings may support reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake from current levels. (Funded by the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health.).

HEARTS in the Americas: Targeting Health System Change to Improve Population Hypertension Control.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: HEARTS in the Americas is the regional adaptation of Global Hearts, the World Health Organization initiative for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and control. Its overarching goal is to drive health services to change managerial and clinical practice in primary care settings to improve hypertension control and CVD risk management. This review describes the HEARTS in the Americas initiative. First, the regional epidemiological situation of CVD mortality and population hypertension control trends are summarized; then the rationale for its main intervention components: the primary care-oriented management system and the HEARTS Clinical Pathway are described. Finally, the key factors for accelerating the expansion of HEARTS are examined: medicines, team-based care, and a system for monitoring and evaluation. RECENT FINDINGS: Thus far, 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have committed to integrating this program across their primary healthcare network by 2025. The increase in hypertension coverage and control in primary health care settings compared with the traditional model is promising and confirms that the interventions under the HEARTS umbrella are feasible and acceptable to communities, patients, providers, decision-makers, and funders. This review highlights some cases of successful implementation. Scaling up effective treatment for hypertension and optimization of CVD risk management is a pragmatic way to accelerate the reduction of CVD mortality while strengthening primary healthcare systems to respond effectively, with quality, and equitably, to the challenge of non-communicable diseases, not only in low-middle income countries but in all communities globally.

[HEARTS in the Americas: targeting health system change to improve population hypertension controlHEARTS nas Américas: impulsionar mudanças no sistema de saúde para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na população]. / HEARTS en las Américas: impulsar el cambio en el sistema de salud para mejorar el control de la hipertensión en la población.

Purpose of review: HEARTS in the Americas is the regional adaptation of Global Hearts, the World Health Organization initiative for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and control. Its overarching goal is to drive health services to change managerial and clinical practice in primary care settings to improve hypertension control and CVD risk management. This review describes the HEARTS in the Americas initiative. First, the regional epidemiological situation of CVD mortality and population hypertension control trends are summarized; then the rationale for its main intervention components: the primary care-oriented management system and the HEARTS Clinical Pathway are described. Finally, the key factors for accelerating the expansion of HEARTS are examined: medicines, team-based care, and a system for monitoring and evaluation. Recent findings: Thus far, 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have committed to integrating this program across their primary healthcare network by 2025. The increase in hypertension coverage and control in primary health care settings compared with the traditional model is promising and confirms that the interventions under the HEARTS umbrella are feasible and acceptable to communities, patients, providers, decision-makers, and funders. This review highlights some cases of successful implementation. Summary: Scaling up effective treatment for hypertension and optimization of CVD risk management is a pragmatic way to accelerate the reduction of CVD mortality while strengthening primary healthcare systems to respond effectively, with quality, and equitably, to the challenge of non-communicable diseases, not only in low-middle income countries but in all communities globally.

Propósito da revisão: HEARTS nas Américas é uma adaptação regional da iniciativa mundial HEARTS, da Organização Mundial da Saúde, voltada para prevenção e controle das doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) na Região das Américas. Seu objetivo geral é promover mudanças na prática clínica e na gestão da atenção primária pelos serviços de saúde a fim de melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial e reduzir o risco de DCV. Esta revisão descreve a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Primeiro, é apresentado um resumo da situação epidemiológica regional relativa à mortalidade por DCV e das tendências no controle da hipertensão arterial em nível populacional. Em seguida, são explicados os motivos por trás dos principais componentes da intervenção: o sistema de manejo focado na atenção primária e o componente clínico da HEARTS. Por fim, são examinados os principais fatores para acelerar a ampliação da HEARTS: medicamentos, atenção baseada no trabalho em equipe e um sistema de monitoramento e avaliação. Resultados recentes: Até o momento, 33 países e territórios da América Latina e do Caribe se comprometeram a integrar esse programa em toda sua rede de atenção primária à saúde até 2025. Comparado com o modelo tradicional, o aumento da cobertura e do controle da hipertensão arterial nos ambientes de atenção primária à saúde é promissor e confirma que as intervenções promovidas pela HEARTS são exequíveis e aceitas por comunidades, pacientes, prestadores de serviços de saúde, tomadores de decisão e financiadores. Nesta revisão, destacamos alguns casos nos quais a implementação foi satisfatória. Conclusões: Ampliar a aplicação de um tratamento eficaz contra a hipertensão arterial e otimizar o controle do risco de DCV são medidas pragmáticas para acelerar a redução da mortalidade por DCV e, ao mesmo tempo, fortalecer os sistemas de atenção primária à saúde para responder com qualidade, eficácia e equidade ao desafio apresentado pelas doenças não transmissíveis, não apenas nos países de baixa ou média renda, mas no mundo todo.

[Association between population hypertension control and ischemic heart disease and stroke mortality in 36 countries of the Americas, 1990-2019: an ecological studyAssociação entre controle populacional da hipertensão e mortalidade por doença cardíaca isquêmica e acidente vascular cerebral em 36 países das Américas, 1990-2019: um estudo ecológico]. / Asociación entre el control de la hipertensión arterial en la población y la mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica y accidente cerebrovascular en 36 países y territorios de la Región de las Américas, 1990-2019: un estudio ecológico.

Objective: To quantify the association between the prevalence of population hypertension control and ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke mortality in 36 countries of the Americas from 1990 to 2019. Methods: This ecologic study uses the prevalence of hypertension, awareness, treatment, and control from the NCD-RisC and IHD and stroke mortality from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Regression analysis was used to assess time trends and the association between population hypertension control and mortality. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, age-standardized death rates due to IHD and stroke declined annually by 2.2% (95% confidence intervals: -2.4 to -2.1) and 1.8% (-1.9 to -1.6), respectively. The annual reduction rate in IHD and stroke mortality deaccelerated to -1% (-1.2 to -0.8) during 2000-2019. From 1990 to 2019, the prevalence of hypertension controlled to a systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≤140/90 mmHg increased by 3.2% (3.1 to 3.2) annually. Population hypertension control showed an inverse association with IHD and stroke mortality, respectively, regionwide and in all but 3 out of 36 countries. Regionwide, for every 1% increase in population hypertension control, our data predicted a reduction of 2.9% (-2.94 to -2.85) in IHD deaths per 100 000 population, equivalent to an averted 25 639 deaths (2.5 deaths per 100 000 population) and 2.37% (-2.41 to -2.33) in stroke deaths per 100 000 population, equivalent to an averted 9 650 deaths (1 death per 100 000 population). Conclusion: There is a strong ecological negative association between IHD and stroke mortality and population hypertension control. Countries with the best performance in hypertension control showed better progress in reducing CVD mortality. Prediction models have implications for hypertension management in most populations in the Region of the Americas and other parts of the world.

Objetivo: Quantificar a associação entre a prevalência de controle populacional da hipertensão e mortalidade por doença cardíaca isquêmica (DCI) e acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) em 36 países das Américas, de 1990 a 2019. Métodos: Este estudo ecológico utilizou os dados de prevalência da hipertensão e prevalência da detecção, tratamento e controle populacional da hipertensão do estudo NCD-RisC, e de mortalidade por DCI e AVC do Estudo de Carga Global de Doença de 2019. Análise de regressão foi utilizada para avaliar as tendências no tempo e a associação entre controle populacional da hipertensão e mortalidade. Resultados: Entre 1990 e 2019, as taxas de mortalidade padronizadas por idade devidas a DCI e AVC diminuíram anualmente 2,2% (intervalos de confiança de 95%: −2,4 a −2,1) e 1,8% (−1,9 a −1,6), respectivamente. A taxa anual de redução na mortalidade por DCI e AVC desacelerou para −1% (−1,2 a −0,8) durante o período de 2000-2019. De 1990 a 2019, a prevalência de hipertensão controlada com pressão arterial sistólica/diastólica ≤140/90 mmHg apresentou aumento anual de 3,2% (3,1 a 3,2). O controle populacional da hipertensão apresentou associação inversa com mortalidade por DCI e AVC, respectivamente, em toda a região, e em todos os 36 países, com a exceção de três. Em toda a região, para cada 1% de aumento no controle populacional da hipertensão, nossos dados previram uma redução de 2,9% (−2,94 a −2,85) nos óbitos por DCI por 100 000 habitantes, equivalente à prevenção de 25 639 óbitos (2,5 óbitos por 100 000 habitantes), e de 2,37% (−2,41 a −2,33) nos óbitos por AVC por 100 000 habitantes, equivalente à prevenção de 9 650 óbitos (1 óbito por 100 000 habitantes). Conclusão: Existe forte associação ecológica negativa entre mortalidade por DCI e AVC e controle populacional da hipertensão. Os países com o melhor desempenho no controle da hipertensão mostraram melhor progresso na redução da mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares. Os modelos de previsão têm implicações no controle da hipertensão na maioria das populações da Região das Américas e em outras partes do mundo.

Salt reduction to prevent hypertension: the reasons of the controversy.

There is a causal relationship between dietary salt intake and blood pressure. A reduction in salt intake from the current world average of ∼10 g/day to the WHO recommended level of <5 g/day, lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. However, a few cohort studies have claimed that there is a J-shaped relationship between salt intake and cardiovascular risk, i.e. both high and low salt intakes are associated with an increased risk. These cohort studies have several methodological problems, including reverse causality, and inaccurate and biased estimation of salt intake, e.g. from a single spot urine sample with formulas. Recent studies have shown that the formulas used to estimate salt intake from spot urine cause a spurious J-curve. Research with inappropriate methodology should not be used to refute the robust evidence on the enormous benefits of population-wide reduction in salt intake. Several countries, e.g. Finland, the UK, have successfully reduced salt intake, which has resulted in falls in population blood pressure and deaths from stroke and ischaemic heart disease. Every country should develop and implement a coherent, workable strategy to reduce salt intake. Even a modest reduction in salt intake across the whole population will lead to a major improvement in public health, along with huge cost-savings to the healthcare service.

Association between population hypertension control and ischemic heart disease and stroke mortality in 36 countries of the Americas, 1990-2019: an ecological study.

Objective: To quantify the association between the prevalence of population hypertension control and ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke mortality in 36 countries of the Americas from 1990 to 2019. Methods: This ecologic study uses the prevalence of hypertension, awareness, treatment, and control from the NCD-RisC and IHD and stroke mortality from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Regression analysis was used to assess time trends and the association between population hypertension control and mortality. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, age-standardized death rates due to IHD and stroke declined annually by 2.2% (95% confidence intervals: -2.4 to -2.1) and 1.8% (-1.9 to -1.6), respectively. The annual reduction rate in IHD and stroke mortality deaccelerated to -1% (-1.2 to -0.8) during 2000-2019. From 1990 to 2019, the prevalence of hypertension controlled to a systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≤140/90 mmHg increased by 3.2% (3.1 to 3.2) annually. Population hypertension control showed an inverse association with IHD and stroke mortality, respectively, regionwide and in all but 3 out of 36 countries. Regionwide, for every 1% increase in population hypertension control, our data predicted a reduction of 2.9% (-2.94 to -2.85) in IHD deaths per 100 000 population, equivalent to an averted 25 639 deaths (2.5 deaths per 100 000 population) and 2.37% (-2.41 to -2.33) in stroke deaths per 100 000 population, equivalent to an averted 9 650 deaths (1 death per 100 000 population). Conclusion: There is a strong ecological negative association between IHD and stroke mortality and population hypertension control. Countries with the best performance in hypertension control showed better progress in reducing CVD mortality. Prediction models have implications for hypertension management in most populations in the Region of the Americas and other parts of the world.

HEARTS in the Americas: innovations for improving hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk management in primary care.

Global Hearts is the flagship initiative of the World Health Organization to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. HEARTS in the Americas Initiative is the regional adaptation that envisions HEARTS as the model for cardiovascular disease risk management, including hypertension and diabetes, in primary health care in the Americas by 2025. This initiative is entering its sixth year of implementation and now includes 22 countries and 1 380 primary health care centers. The objectives of this report are three-fold. First, it describes the emergence and the main elements of HEARTS in the Americas. Secondly, it summarizes the main innovations developed to catalyze and sustain implementation of the initiative. These innovations include: a) introduction of hypertension control drivers; b) development of a comprehensive and practical clinical pathway; c) development of a strategy to improve the accuracy of blood pressure measurement; d) creation of a monitoring and evaluation platform; and e) development of a standardized set of training and education resources. Thirdly, this report discusses future priorities of the initiative. The goal of implementing these innovative and pragmatic solutions is to create a more effective health system and shift the focus of cardiovascular and hypertension programs from the highly specialized care level to primary health care. In addition, HEARTS in the Americas can serve as a model for more comprehensive, effective, and sustainable noncommunicable disease prevention and treatment practices.

Global Hearts es la iniciativa emblemática de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para reducir la carga de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la principal causa de muerte y discapacidad en todo el mundo. La iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas es la adaptación regional que propone HEARTS como modelo para el manejo del riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, incluida la hipertensión, y la diabetes en la atención primaria de salud en la Región de las Américas para el año 2025. Esta iniciativa está iniciando su sexto año de aplicación y ya incluye a 22 países y 1 380 centros de atención primaria de salud. Son tres los objetivos de este informe. En primer lugar, describir cómo surgió la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas y cuáles son sus principales elementos. En segundo lugar, resumir las principales innovaciones logradas para catalizar la iniciativa y mantener su aplicación. Entre estas innovaciones se encuentran: a) la introducción de factores impulsores del control de la hipertensión; b) el desarrollo de una vía clínica integral y práctica; c) la elaboración de una estrategia para mejorar la precisión de la medición de la presión arterial; d) la creación de un marco de seguimiento y evaluación; y e) la elaboración de un conjunto estandarizado de recursos de capacitación y formación. En tercer lugar, en este informe se examinan las futuras prioridades de la iniciativa. El objetivo de poner en marcha estas soluciones innovadoras y pragmáticas es crear un sistema de salud más efectivo y trasladar el enfoque de los programas cardiovasculares y de hipertensión del nivel de atención altamente especializada a la atención primaria de salud. Además, HEARTS en las Américas puede servir como modelo para unas prácticas más integrales, efectivas y sostenibles en la prevención y el tratamiento de las enfermedades no transmisibles.

Global Hearts é a iniciativa mais importante da Organização Mundial da Saúde para reduzir a carga de doenças cardiovasculares, que são a principal causa de morte e incapacidade em todo o mundo. A iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas é a adaptação regional que pressupõe a HEARTS como o modelo para a gestão do risco de doenças cardiovasculares, incluindo hipertensão e diabetes, na atenção primária à saúde nas Américas até 2025. Essa iniciativa está entrando em seu sexto ano de implementação e agora inclui 22 países e 1 380 centros de atenção primária à saúde. Os objetivos deste relatório são três. Primeiramente, ele descreve o surgimento e os principais elementos da iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Em segundo lugar, resume as principais inovações desenvolvidas para catalisar e sustentar a implementação da iniciativa. Essas inovações incluem: a) introdução de fatores impulsionadores de controle da hipertensão; b) desenvolvimento de um caminho clínico abrangente e prático; c) desenvolvimento de uma estratégia para melhorar a exatidão da aferição da pressão arterial; d) criação de uma plataforma de monitoramento e avaliação; e e) desenvolvimento de um conjunto padronizado de recursos para treinamento e educação. Em terceiro lugar, este relatório discute as futuras prioridades da iniciativa. O objetivo de implementar essas soluções inovadoras e pragmáticas é criar um sistema de saúde mais eficaz e mudar o foco dos programas cardiovasculares e de hipertensão do nível de atendimento altamente especializado para a atenção primária à saúde. Além disso, a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas pode servir de modelo para práticas mais abrangentes, efetivas e sustentáveis de prevenção e tratamento de doenças não transmissíveis.

[HEARTS in the Americas: innovations for improving hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk management in primary careHEARTS nas Américas: inovações para melhorar a gestão do risco de hipertensão e de doenças cardiovasculares na atenção primária]. / HEARTS en las Américas: innovaciones para mejorar el manejo de la hipertensión y del riesgo cardiovascular en la atención primaria.

Global Hearts is the flagship initiative of the World Health Organization to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. HEARTS in the Americas Initiative is the regional adaptation that envisions HEARTS as the model for cardiovascular disease risk management, including hypertension and diabetes, in primary health care in the Americas by 2025. This initiative is entering its sixth year of implementation and now includes 22 countries and 1 380 primary health care centers. The objectives of this report are three-fold. First, it describes the emergence and the main elements of HEARTS in the Americas. Secondly, it summarizes the main innovations developed to catalyze and sustain implementation of the initiative. These innovations include: a) introduction of hypertension control drivers; b) development of a comprehensive and practical clinical pathway; c) development of a strategy to improve the accuracy of blood pressure measurement; d) creation of a monitoring and evaluation platform; and e) development of a standardized set of training and education resources. Thirdly, this report discusses future priorities of the initiative. The goal of implementing these innovative and pragmatic solutions is to create a more effective health system and shift the focus of cardiovascular and hypertension programs from the highly specialized care level to primary health care. In addition, HEARTS in the Americas can serve as a model for more comprehensive, effective, and sustainable noncommunicable disease prevention and treatment practices.

Global Hearts é a iniciativa mais importante da Organização Mundial da Saúde para reduzir a carga de doenças cardiovasculares, que são a principal causa de morte e incapacidade em todo o mundo. A Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas é a adaptação regional que pressupõe a HEARTS como o modelo para a gestão do risco de doenças cardiovasculares, incluindo hipertensão e diabetes, na atenção primária à saúde nas Américas até 2025. Essa iniciativa está entrando em seu sexto ano de implementação e agora inclui 22 países e 1 380 centros de atenção primária à saúde. Os objetivos deste relatório são três. Primeiramente, ele descreve o surgimento e os principais elementos da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Em segundo lugar, resume as principais inovações desenvolvidas para catalisar e sustentar a implementação da iniciativa. Essas inovações incluem: a) introdução de fatores impulsionadores de controle da hipertensão; b) desenvolvimento de um caminho clínico abrangente e prático; c) desenvolvimento de uma estratégia para melhorar a exatidão da aferição da pressão arterial; d) criação de uma plataforma de monitoramento e avaliação; e e) desenvolvimento de um conjunto padronizado de recursos para treinamento e educação. Em terceiro lugar, este relatório discute as futuras prioridades da iniciativa. O objetivo de implementar essas soluções inovadoras e pragmáticas é criar um sistema de saúde mais eficaz e mudar o foco dos programas cardiovasculares e de hipertensão do nível de atendimento altamente especializado para a atenção primária à saúde. Além disso, a Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas pode servir de modelo para práticas mais abrangentes, efetivas e susten- táveis de prevenção e tratamento de doenças não transmissíveis.

[2021 World Health Organization guideline on pharmacological treatment of hypertension: Policy implications for the Region of the AmericasDirectrices de la Organización Mundial de la Salud del 2021 sobre el tratamiento farmacológico de la hipertensión: implicaciones de política para la Región de las Américas]. / Diretrizes de 2021 da Organização Mundial da Saúde sobre o tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial: repercussões para as políticas na Região das Américas.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and raised blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. In the Americas over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension and the diagnosis, treatment and control are suboptimal. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. This policy paper highlights the facilitating role of the WHO Global HEARTS initiative and the HEARTS in the Americas initiative to catalyze the implementation of this guideline, provides specific policy advice for implementation, and emphasizes that an overarching strategic approach for hypertension control is needed. The authors urge health advocates and policymakers to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations and to reduce CVD health disparities within and between populations of the Americas.

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte en la Región de las Américas y la hipertensión es la causa de más del 50% de ellas. En la Región, más de una cuarta parte de las mujeres adultas y cuatro de cada diez hombres adultos tienen hipertensión y su diagnóstico, tratamiento y control son deficientes. En el 2021, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) publicó directrices actualizadas sobre el tratamiento farmacológico de la hipertensión en personas adultas. En este artículo se destaca el papel facilitador de la iniciativa mundial HEARTS de la OMS y la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas para catalizar la implementación de estas directrices, a la vez que se proporciona asesoramiento específico sobre políticas para dicha implementación y se destaca la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque estratégico general para el control de la hipertensión. Los autores instan a quienes abogan por la salud y a los responsables de las políticas a priorizar la prevención y el control de la hipertensión para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de la población, y a reducir las disparidades de salud en relación con las enfermedades cardiovasculares dentro de la población y entre las poblaciones de la Región de las Américas.

[2021 World Health Organization guideline on pharmacological treatment of hypertension: Policy implications for the region of the AmericasDiretrizes de 2021 da Organização Mundial da Saúde sobre o tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial: repercussões para as políticas na região das Américas]. / Directrices de la Organización Mundial de la Salud del 2021 sobre el tratamiento farmacológico de la hipertensión: implicaciones de política para la Región de las Américas.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and raised blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. In the Americas over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension and the diagnosis, treatment and control are suboptimal. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. This policy paper highlights the facilitating role of the WHO Global HEARTS initiative and the HEARTS in the Americas initiative to catalyze the implementation of this guideline, provides specific policy advice for implementation, and emphasizes that an over-arching strategic approach for hypertension control is needed. The authors urge health advocates and policymakers to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations and to reduce CVD health disparities within and between populations of the Americas.

A doença cardiovascular (DCV) é a principal causa de morte nas Américas, e a pressão arterial elevada é responsável por mais de 50% dos casos de DCV. Nas Américas, mais de um quarto das mulheres adultas e quatro de cada dez homens adultos têm hipertensão arterial, sendo que diagnóstico, tratamento e controle estão abaixo do ideal. Em 2021, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) divulgou uma atualização das diretrizes para o tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial em adultos. Essa publicação ressalta o papel facilitador da iniciativa Global HEARTS da OMS e da iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para catalisar a implementação dessas diretrizes, oferece recomendações específicas de políticas para sua implementação e enfatiza a necessidade de uma abordagem estratégica abrangente para o controle da hipertensão arterial. Os autores clamam para que tanto as pessoas que advogam pela Saúde, quanto as autoridades responsáveis, priorizem a prevenção e o controle da hipertensão arterial como forma de melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar das populações e reduzir as disparidades de saúde cardiovascular dentro das populações das Américas e entre elas.

Comment on Hogas et al. Salt, Not Always a Cardiovascular Enemy? A Mini-Review and Modern Perspective. Medicina 2022, 58, 1175.

Hogas et al. recently published their perspective on dietary salt in a mini review [...].

Impact of color-coded and warning nutrition labelling schemes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal diets are a leading risk factor for death and disability. Nutrition labelling is a potential method to encourage consumers to improve dietary behaviour. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) summarises evidence on the impact of colour-coded interpretive labels and warning labels on changing consumers' purchasing behaviour. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 1 January 1990 and 24 May 2021 in PubMed, Embase via Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SCOPUS. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies were included for the primary outcomes (measures of changes in consumers' purchasing and consuming behaviour). A frequentist NMA method was applied to pool the results. A total of 156 studies (including 101 RCTs and 55 non-RCTs) nested in 138 articles were incorporated into the systematic review, of which 134 studies in 120 articles were eligible for meta-analysis. We found that the traffic light labelling system (TLS), nutrient warning (NW), and health warning (HW) were associated with an increased probability of selecting more healthful products (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: TLS, 1.5 [1.2, 1.87]; NW, 3.61 [2.82, 4.63]; HW, 1.65 [1.32, 2.06]). Nutri-Score (NS) and warning labels appeared effective in reducing consumers' probability of selecting less healthful products (NS, 0.66 [0.53, 0.82]; NW,0.65 [0.54, 0.77]; HW,0.64 [0.53, 0.76]). NS and NW were associated with an increased overall healthfulness (healthfulness ratings of products purchased using models such as FSAm-NPS/HCSP) by 7.9% and 26%, respectively. TLS, NS, and NW were associated with a reduced energy (total energy: TLS, -6.5%; NS, -6%; NW, -12.9%; energy per 100 g/ml: TLS, -3%; NS, -3.5%; NW, -3.8%), sodium (total sodium/salt: TLS, -6.4%; sodium/salt per 100 g/ml: NS: -7.8%), fat (total fat: NS, -15.7%; fat per 100 g/ml: TLS: -2.6%; NS: -3.2%), and total saturated fat (TLS, -12.9%; NS: -17.1%; NW: -16.3%) content of purchases. The impact of TLS, NS, and NW on purchasing behaviour could be explained by improved understanding of the nutrition information, which further elicits negative perception towards unhealthful products or positive attitudes towards healthful foods. Comparisons across label types suggested that colour-coded labels performed better in nudging consumers towards the purchase of more healthful products (NS versus NW: 1.51 [1.08, 2.11]), while warning labels have the advantage in discouraging unhealthful purchasing behaviour (NW versus TLS: 0.81 [0.67, 0.98]; HW versus TLS: 0.8 [0.63, 1]). Study limitations included high heterogeneity and inconsistency in the comparisons across different label types, limited number of real-world studies (95% were laboratory studies), and lack of long-term impact assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review provided comprehensive evidence for the impact of colour-coded labels and warnings in nudging consumers' purchasing behaviour towards more healthful products and the underlying psychological mechanism of behavioural change. Each type of label had different attributes, which should be taken into consideration when making front-of-package nutrition labelling (FOPL) policies according to local contexts. Our study supported mandatory front-of-pack labelling policies in directing consumers' choice and encouraging the food industry to reformulate their products. PROTOCOL REGISTRY: PROSPERO (CRD42020161877).

[Optimizing observer performance of clinic blood Pressure measurement: a position statement from the Lancet Commission on Hypertension GroupOtimização do desempenho do observador na medição clínica da pressão arterial: posicionamento do Grupo da Lancet Commission on Hypertension]. / Optimización del desempeño del observador al medir la presión arterial en el consultorio: declaración de posición de la Comisión Lancet de Hipertensión.

High blood pressure (BP) is a highly prevalent modifiable cause of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and death. Accurate BP measurement is critical, given that a 5-mmHg measurement error may lead to incorrect hypertension status classification in 84 million individuals worldwide. This position statement summarizes procedures for optimizing observer performance in clinic BP measurement, with special attention given to low-tomiddle- income settings, where resource limitations, heavy workloads, time constraints, and lack of electrical power make measurement more challenging. Many measurement errors can be minimized by appropriate patient preparation and standardized techniques. Validated semi-automated/automated upper arm cuff devices should be used instead of auscultation to simplify measurement and prevent observer error. Task sharing, creating a dedicated measurement workstation, and using semi-automated or solar-charged devices may help. Ensuring observer training, and periodic re-training, is critical. Low-cost, easily accessible certification programs should be considered to facilitate best BP measurement practice.

A hipertensão é uma causa altamente prevalente de doença cardiovascular, acidente vascular cerebral e morte. A medição precisa da pressão arterial (PA) é um aspecto crítico, uma vez que erros de mensuração da ordem de 5 mmHg podem levar a uma classificação incorreta do status de hipertensão em 84 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo. O presente posicionamento resume os procedimentos para otimizar o desempenho do observador (o indivíduo responsável pela mensuração da PA) na mensuração clínica da PA, com atenção especial para contextos de baixa a média renda, onde recursos limitados, cargas de trabalho pesadas, restrições de tempo e falta de energia elétrica tornam mais desafiadora a tarefa de medir a PA. Muitos erros de mensuração podem ser minimizados pela preparação adequada do paciente e pelo uso de técnicas padronizadas. Para simplificar a mensuração e evitar erros do observador, devem-se utilizar dispositivos semiautomatizados ou automatizados validados, com manguito para braço, ao invés de auscultação. O compartilhamento de tarefas, a criação de uma estação de trabalho dedicada à mensuração e o uso de dispositivos semiautomatizados ou com carga solar podem ajudar. É essencial que seja assegurado o treinamento e retreinamento periódico do observador. Programas de certificação de baixo custo e de fácil acesso devem ser considerados para facilitar a adoção das melhores práticas na mensuração da PA.

[Lancet Commission on Hypertension Group position statement on the global improvement of accuracy standards for devices that measure blood pressurePosicionamento do Grupo da Lancet Commission on Hypertension sobre a melhoria global dos padrões de acurácia para aparelhos que medem a pressão arterial]. / Declaración de posición del Grupo de la Comisión Lancet de Hipertensión con respecto a la mejora mundial de las normas de exactitud para los dispositivos de medición de la presión arterial.

The Lancet Commission on Hypertension identified that a key action to address the worldwide burden of high blood pressure (BP) was to improve the quality of BP measurements by using BP devices that have been validated for accuracy. Currently, there are over 3 000 commercially available BP devices, but many do not have published data on accuracy testing according to established scientific standards. This problem is enabled through weak or absent regulations that allow clearance of devices for commercial use without formal validation. In addition, new BP technologies have emerged (e.g. cuffless sensors) for which there is no scientific consensus regarding BP measurement accuracy standards. Altogether, these issues contribute to the widespread availability of clinic and home BP devices with limited or uncertain accuracy, leading to inappropriate hypertension diagnosis, management and drug treatment on a global scale. The most significant problems relating to the accuracy of BP devices can be resolved by the regulatory requirement for mandatory independent validation of BP devices according to the universally-accepted International Organization for Standardization Standard. This is a primary recommendation for which there is an urgent international need. Other key recommendations are development of validation standards specifically for new BP technologies and online lists of accurate devices that are accessible to consumers and health professionals. Recommendations are aligned with WHO policies on medical devices and universal healthcare. Adherence to recommendations would increase the global availability of accurate BP devices and result in better diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, thus decreasing the worldwide burden from high BP.

A Comissão Lancet sobre Hipertensão Arterial identificou que uma iniciativa central para enfrentar a carga mundial da hipertensão arterial seria a melhoria na qualidade da mensuração da pressão arterial pelo uso aparelhos de pressão arterial validados quanto à acurácia. Atualmente, existem mais de 3 000 aparelhos de pressão arterial disponíveis comercialmente; entretanto, muitos não têm dados publicados sobre testes de acurácia realizados de acordo com padrões científicos estabelecidos. Este problema resulta de regulamentação fraca ou inexistente, o que permite a aprovação para uso comercial de dispositivos sem validação formal. Além disso, surgiram novas tecnologias de mensuração da pressão arterial (por exemplo, sensores sem algemas) sem consenso científico quanto aos padrões de acurácia. No conjunto, essas questões contribuem para a oferta generalizada de dispositivos de pressão arterial clínica e domiciliar com acurácia limitada ou incerta, levando a diagnóstico, gerenciamento e tratamento inadequados da hipertensão em escala global. Os problemas mais significativos relacionados com a acurácia dos dispositivos de pressão arterial podem ser resolvidos por regulamentação que imponha a obrigatoriedade de validação independente dos aparelhos de pressão arterial, de acordo com a norma universalmente aceita pela Organização Internacional de Normalização. Esta é uma recomendação fundamental para a qual existe uma necessidade internacional urgente. Outras recomendações essenciais incluem o desenvolvimento de padrões de validação especificamente para novas tecnologias de mensuração da pressão arterial e listas on-line de aparelhos com acurácia adequada que sejam acessíveis aos consumidores e profissionais de saúde. As recomendações estão alinhadas com as políticas da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) sobre dispositivos médicos e atenção universal à saúde. A adesão às recomendações aumentaria a oferta global de dispositivos de pressão arterial com acurácia adequada e resultaria em melhor diagnóstico e tratamento da hipertensão arterial, diminuindo assim a carga mundial dessa doença.

Blood pressure at age 60-65 versus age 70-75 and vascular dementia: a population based observational study.

BACKGROUND: Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common form of dementia. However, there were mixed evidences about the association between blood pressure (BP) and risk of VaD in midlife and late life and limited evidence on the association between pulse pressure and VaD. METHODS: This is a population-based observational study. 265,897 individuals with at least one BP measurement between the ages of 60 to 65 years and 211,116 individuals with at least one BP measurement between the ages of 70 to 75 years were extracted from The Health Improvement Network in United Kingdom. Blood pressures were categorized into four groups: normal, prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension. Cases of VaD were identified from the recorded clinical diagnoses. Multivariable survival analysis was used to adjust other confounders and competing risk of death. All the analysis were stratified based on antihypertensive drug use status. Multiple imputation was used to fill in missing values. RESULTS: After accounting for the competing risk of death and adjustment for potential confounders, there was an association between higher BP levels in the age 60-65 cohort with the risk of developing VaD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53 (95% confidence interval: 1.04, 2.25) for prehypertension, 1.90 (1.30, 2.78) for stage 1 hypertension, and 2.19 (1.48, 3.26) for stage 2 hypertension) in the untreated group. There was no statistically significant association between BP levels and VaD in the treated group in the age 60-65 cohort and age 70-75 cohort. Analysis on Pulse Pressure (PP) stratified by blood pressure level showed that PP was not independently associated with VaD. CONCLUSION: High BP between the ages of 60 to 65 years is a significant risk for VaD in late midlife. Greater efforts should be placed on early diagnosis of hypertension and tight control of BP for hypertensive patients for the prevention of VaD.

ACSC Indicator: testing reliability for hypertension.

BACKGROUND: With high-quality community-based primary care, hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) are considered avoidable. The purpose of this study was to test the inter-physician reliability of judgments of avoidable hospitalizations for one ACSC, uncomplicated hypertension, derived from medical chart review. METHODS: We applied the Canadian Institute for Health Information's case definition to obtain a random sample of patients who had an ACSC hospitalization for uncomplicated hypertension in Calgary, Alberta. Medical chart review was conducted by three experienced internal medicine specialists. Implicit methods were used to judge avoidability of hospitalization using a validated 5-point scale. RESULTS: There was poor agreement among three physicians raters when judging the avoidability of 82 ACSC hospitalizations for uncomplicated hypertension (κ = 0.092). The κ also remained low when assessing agreement between raters 1 and 3 (κ = 0.092), but the κ was lower (less than chance agreement) for raters 1 and 2 (κ = -0.119) and raters 2 and 3 (κ = -0.008). When the 5-point scale was dichotomized, there was fair agreement among three raters (κ = 0.217). The proportion of ACSC hospitalizations for uncomplicated hypertension that were rated as avoidable was 32.9%, 6.1% and 26.8% for raters 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a low proportion of ACSC hospitalization were rated as avoidable, with poor to fair agreement of judgment between physician raters. This suggests that the validity and utility of this health indicator is questionable. It points to a need to abandon the use of ACSC entirely; or alternatively to work on the development of explicit criteria for judging avoidability of hospitalization for ACSC such as hypertension.