Patients Living with Arterial Hypertension in Mexico: First Insights of The Mexican Registry of Arterial Hypertension (RIHTA Study).

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Mexico. However, there is limited data available to understand blood pressure management and cardiometabolic profiles. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of controlled and uncontrolled blood pressure, as well as the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among patients from the Mexican Registry of Arterial Hypertension (RIHTA). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of participants living with arterial hypertension registered on RIHTA between December 2021 and April 2023. We used both the 2017 ACC/AHA and 2018 ESC/ESH thresholds to define controlled and uncontrolled arterial hypertension. We considered eleven cardiometabolic risk factors, which include overweight, obesity, central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low-HDL-C, high-LDL-C, low-eGFR, and high CVD risk. RESULTS: In a sample of 5,590 participants (female: 61%, n=3,393; median age: 64 [IQR: 56-72] years), the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension varied significantly, depending on the definition (2017 ACC/AHA: 59.9%, 95% CI: 58.6-61.2 and 2018 ESC/ESH: 20.1%, 95% CI: 19.0-21.2). In the sample, 40.43% exhibited at least 5-6 risk factors, and 32.4% had 3-4 risk factors, chiefly abdominal obesity (83.4%, 95% CI: 82.4-84.4), high-LDL-C (59.6%, 95% CI: 58.3-60.9), high-CVD risk (57.9%, 95% CI: 56.6-59.2), high triglycerides (56.2%, 95% CI: 54.9-57.5), and low-HDL-C (42.2%, 95% CI: 40.9-43.5). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension interlinked with a high burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities in Mexican adults living with arterial hypertension, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions and better healthcare policies to reduce the burden of the disease in our country.

Blood pressure telemonitoring and telemedicine, a Latin America perspective.

PURPOSE: To share a Latin-American perspective of the use of telemedicine, together with blood pressure measurements outside the medical office, as a potential contribution to improving access to the health system, diagnosis, adherence, and persistence in hypertension treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A document settled by a Writing Group of Mexico Hypertension Experts Group, Interamerican Society of Hypertension, Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Prevention Council of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology, and National Cardiologist Association of Mexico. RESULTS: In almost all Latin American countries, the health sector faces two fundamental challenges: (1) ensure equitable access to quality care services in a growing population that faces an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and (2) optimise the growing costs of health services, maintaining equity, accessibility, universality, and quality. Telehealth proposes an innovative approach to patient management, especially for chronic conditions, intending to provide remote consultation, education, and follow-up to achieve measurements and goals. It is a tool that promises to improve access, empower the patient, and somehow influence their behaviour about lifestyle changes, improving prevention and reducing complications of hypertension. The clinical practitioner has seen increased evidence that the use of out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement and telemedicine are helpful tools to keep patients and physicians in contact and promote better pharmacological adherence and BP control. A survey carried out by medical and scientific institutions showed that practitioners are up-to-date with telemedicine, had internet access, and had hardware availability. CONCLUSIONS: A transcendent issue is the need to make the population aware of the benefits of taking blood pressure to avoid complications of hypertension, and in this scenario, promote the creation of teleconsultation mechanisms for the follow-up of patients diagnosed with hypertension.

What is the context?In almost all Latin American countries, the health sector faces two fundamental challenges: (1) ensure equitable access to quality care services in a growing population that faces an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and (2) optimise the growing costs of health services, maintaining equity, accessibility, universality, and quality.What is new?Telehealth proposes an innovative approach to patient management, especially for chronic conditions, intending to provide remote consultation, education, and follow-up to achieve measurements and goals. It is a tool that promises to improve access, empower the patient, and somehow influence their behaviour about lifestyle changes, improving prevention and reducing complications of hypertension.What is the impact?Needs are always infinite, and resources are finite, so according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), advances in electronic, information, and communication technology point to more significant equity in the provision of services, considering the effectiveness, possibility of refining the rationalisation of health spending, and improving health care for remote populations.A transcendent issue is the need to make the population aware of the benefits of taking blood pressure to avoid complications of hypertension, and in this scenario, promote the creation of teleconsultation mechanisms for the follow-up of patients diagnosed with hypertension.

Blood pressure telemonitoring and telemedicine for hypertension management-positions, expectations and feasibility of Latin-American practitioners. SURVEY carried out by several cardiology and hypertension societies of the Americas.

PURPOSE: To assess the opinion of Latin-American physicians on remote blood pressure monitoring and telehealth for hypertension management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of physicians residing in Latin-America. The study was conducted by the Mexico Hypertension Experts Group, Interamerican Society of Hypertension, Interamerican Society of Cardiology Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Prevention Council, and National Cardiologist Association of Mexico. An online survey composed of 40 questions using Google Forms was distributed from 7 December 2021, to 3 February 2022. The survey was approved by the GREHTA Ethics Committee and participation was voluntary and anonymous. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the challenges of telehealth. RESULTS: 1753 physicians' responses were gathered. The responses came from physicians from different Latin-American countries, as follows: 24% from Mexico, 20.6% from Argentina, 14.7% from Colombia, 10.9% from Brazil, 8.7% from Venezuela, 8.2% from Guatemala and 3.2% from Paraguay. Responders with a high interest in carrying out their assistance task through remote telemonitoring reached 48.9% (821), while 43.6% are already currently conducting telemonitoring. A high number, 62%, claimed to need telemonitoring training. There is a direct relation between higher interest in telemonitoring and age, medical specialty, team working, residence in the biggest cities, expectations regarding telemedicine and reimbursement. CONCLUSIONS: Remote monitoring is feasible in Latin-America. General practitioners and specialists from bigger cities seem eager and are self-perceived as well-trained and experienced. Facilities and resources do not seem to be a challenge but training reinforcement and telemedicine promotion is necessary for those physicians less motivated.PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYWhat is the context?Hypertension is one of the leading worldwide modifiable risk factors for premature death. Strong evidence supports that effective treatment of this condition results in a significant reduction of hard outcomes.Only 20%-30% of hypertensive patients are within the blood pressure targets recommended by guidelines in Latin-America. There is an urgent need to implement innovative strategies to reverse this alarming health situation.What is new?Latin-American physicians were highly predisposed to telemonitoring practice. This high motivation was not influenced by hardware or software availability, technological knowledge or experience, by volume of monthly consultations, or by area (private-public) where the care activity is carried out.This high motivation may be supported by the conviction that this practice could be very useful as a complement to face-to-face assistance and a highly effective tool to improve adherence even though respondents considered that just 10% of the patients would prefer telemonitoring over office consultation.What is the impact?Facilities and resources do not seem to be a challenge but training reinforcement and telemedicine promotion is necessary for those physicians less motivated. The general perception is that it is necessary to move forward to resolve legal gaps and financial aspects.Physicians must adapt to changes and develop new communication strategies in a world where the unrestricted access to teleinformation makes patients self-perceived as experts.

[Integrated Care Protocol: Hypertension]. / Protocolo de Atención Integral: hipertensión arterial sistémica.

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular risk factor that is responsible for complications such as cerebrovascular events, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, kidney failure, arrhythmias and blindness. About 30% of the adult population older than 20 years is a carrier. 40% of carriers are unaware of suffering from it since its onset is generally asymptomatic. Unfortunately, of those who are already known to be hypertensive, only half take drug treatment and of these, only half achieve control figures (<14/90 mmHg). For several decades it has not been possible to forcefully modify the natural history of this disease despite the advancement of therapeutic drugs. The Mexican Institute of Social Security launches the initiative of the Integrated Care Protocols (PAI) of the main diseases. This protocol shows how the three levels of medical care are concatenated, the role of each of the members of the multidisciplinary team for medical care, including: doctor, nurse, social work, psychologist, nutritionist, among others and, to patient sharing. The main changes in diagnostic criteria, in-office and out-of-office blood pressure measurement, drug therapy (monotherapy, dual therapy and triple therapy) and non-drug therapy, and follow-up are presented. The diagnostic-therapeutic approach using algorithm as well as the diagnostic approach to secondary hypertension and special forms of hypertension such as in pregnancy, hypertensive crisis, hypertension in the elderly, ischemic or nephropathy patients.

Introducción: la hipertensión arterial sistémica (HAS) es el factor de riesgo cardiovascular más común y es responsable de complicaciones como evento cerebrovascular, insuficiencia cardiaca, infarto agudo de miocardio, insuficiencia renal, arritmias y ceguera. Alrededor del 30% de la población adulta mayor de 20 años es portadora. El 40% de los portadores ignoran padecerla ya que su inicio generalmente es asintomático. Desafortunadamente de los que ya se saben hipertensos solo la mitad toma tratamiento farmacológico y de estos, tan solo la mitad logra cifras de control (< 140/90 mmHg). Durante varias décadas no se ha logrado de forma contundente modificar la historia natural de esta enfermedad pese al avance fármaco terapéutico. El Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, lanza la iniciativa de los Protocolos de Atención Integral (PAI) de las principales enfermedades. En el presente protocolo se muestra cómo se concatenan los tres niveles de atención médica, el papel de cada uno de los integrantes del equipo multidisciplinario para la atención médica, incluyendo: médico, enfermera, trabajo social, psicólogo, nutricionista, entre otros y, la coparticipación del paciente. Se presentan los principales cambios en criterios diagnósticos, medición de la presión arterial dentro y fuera de consultorio, terapéutica farmacológica (monoterapia, terapia dual y terapia triple), no farmacológica y seguimiento. El Abordaje diagnóstico-terapéutico usando algoritmos, así como también el abordaje diagnóstico de la hipertensión secundaria y formas especiales de hipertensión tales como en el embarazo, crisis hipertensivas, hipertensión en el adulto mayor, pacientes isquémicos o con nefropatía.

COVID-19 and the renin, angiotensin, aldosterone system. A complex relationship.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had major negative health, psychological, social and economic repercussions for individuals, families, communities, countries and for humanity in general. The interrelation with age and the presence of chronic non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking) seems to go further than what would be explained by the prevalence and distribution of both. The drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are in many cases the backbone for the management of these diseases, it has been known for a long time that these drugs significantly increase the expression of receptors for angiotensin conversion enzyme type 2 in the lung tissue. This fact, together with the knowledge that the route of entry of the virus into the cell is precisely the ACE-2 receptor, initiated a hypothesis, based on very low-quality evidence, which quickly became generalized in the media, that the use of these drugs could be negative and that they should be interrupted immediately. The response of practically all Scientific Societies was almost immediate, with the precise indication that treatment with these drugs should not be discontinued, since the evidence of their usefulness is based on very solid and high-quality evidence. Simultaneously, a different hypothesis also appeared, also based on very preliminary evidence, that these drugs are not only harmful but also beneficial, however these medicaments are not yet accepted as agents for the prevention or treatment of this disease or its complications. This review reports current knowledge on the relationship between COVID-19 and SRAA.

La pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido muy importantes repercusiones negativas, sanitarias, psicológicas, sociales y económicas para las personas, las familias, las comunidades, los países y para las para la humanidad en general. La interrelación con la edad y la presencia de enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles (hipertensión, diabetes, obesidad, tabaquismo) parece ir mas lejos que lo que explicaría la prevalencia y distribución de ambas. Los medicamentos que actúan sobre el sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, son pilares básicos en el manejo de estas enfermedades. Se sabe de tiempo atrás que estos fármacos aumentan en forma significativa la expresión en el tejido pulmonar de receptores para la enzima de conversión de angiotensina de tipo 2. Este hecho junto con el conocimiento de que la vía de entrada del virus a la célula es precisamente el receptor de ECA-2, inició una hipótesis, basada en evidencia de muy baja calidad, que rápidamente se generalizó en los medios de comunicación, de que el empleo de estos medicamentos podría ser negativo y que deberían suspenderse. La respuesta de prácticamente todas las sociedades científicas fue casi inmediata, con la indicación precisa de que no debería suspenderse el tratamiento con estos fármacos, puesto que la evidencia de su utilidad está basada en una evidencia muy sólida y de gran calidad. Casi simultáneamente también apareció la hipótesis, también basada en evidencia muy preliminar, de que estos medicamentos no solo resultan dañinos sino que son benéficos, tampoco se aceptan todavía como agentes para la prevención o tratamiento de esta enfermedad o sus complicaciones. La presente revisión relata los conocimientos actuales sobre la relación entre COVID-19 y SRAA.

COVID-19 y el sistema renina, angiotensina, aldosterona. Una relación compleja / COVID-19 and the renin, angiotensin, aldosterone system. A complex relationship

Resumen La pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido muy importantes repercusiones negativas, sanitarias, psicológicas, sociales y económicas para las personas, las familias, las comunidades, los países y para las para la humanidad en general. La interrelación con la edad y la presencia de enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles (hipertensión, diabetes, obesidad, tabaquismo) parece ir mas lejos que lo que explicaría la prevalencia y distribución de ambas. Los medicamentos que actúan sobre el sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, son pilares básicos en el manejo de estas enfermedades. Se sabe de tiempo atrás que estos fármacos aumentan en forma significativa la expresión en el tejido pulmonar de receptores para la enzima de conversión de angiotensina de tipo 2. Este hecho junto con el conocimiento de que la vía de entrada del virus a la célula es precisamente el receptor de ECA-2, inició una hipótesis, basada en evidencia de muy baja calidad, que rápidamente se generalizó en los medios de comunicación, de que el empleo de estos medicamentos podría ser negativo y que deberían suspenderse. La respuesta de prácticamente todas las sociedades científicas fue casi inmediata, con la indicación precisa de que no debería suspenderse el tratamiento con estos fármacos, puesto que la evidencia de su utilidad está basada en una evidencia muy sólida y de gran calidad. Casi simultáneamente también apareció la hipótesis, también basada en evidencia muy preliminar, de que estos medicamentos no solo resultan dañinos sino que son benéficos, tampoco se aceptan todavía como agentes para la prevención o tratamiento de esta enfermedad o sus complicaciones. La presente revisión relata los conocimientos actuales sobre la relación entre COVID-19 y SRAA.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had major negative health, psychological, social and economic repercussions for individuals, families, communities, countries and for humanity in general. The interrelation with age and the presence of chronic non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking) seems to go further than what would be explained by the prevalence and distribution of both. The drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are in many cases the backbone for the management of these diseases, it has been known for a long time that these drugs significantly increase the expression of receptors for angiotensin conversion enzyme type 2 in the lung tissue. This fact, together with the knowledge that the route of entry of the virus into the cell is precisely the ACE-2 receptor, initiated a hypothesis, based on very low-quality evidence, which quickly became generalized in the media, that the use of these drugs could be negative and that they should be interrupted immediately. The response of practically all Scientific Societies was almost immediate, with the precise indication that treatment with these drugs should not be discontinued, since the evidence of their usefulness is based on very solid and high-quality evidence. Simultaneously, a different hypothesis also appeared, also based on very preliminary evidence, that these drugs are not only harmful but also beneficial, however these medicaments are not yet accepted as agents for the prevention or treatment of this disease or its complications. This review reports current knowledge on the relationship between COVID-19 and SRAA.

Formas de medición de la presión arterial sistémica: el debate continúa / Forms of measurement of systemic blood pressure: the debate continues

Resumen La medición de la presión arterial en el brazo continúa siendo la técnica patrón de referencia para el diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial sistémica. Sin embargo, las formas de medir la presión arterial han dado mucho de qué hablar en años recientes. Si bien los aparatos de medición con mercurio han sido desplazados por los digitales, ahora el cuestionamiento es dónde debe medirse la presión. A saber está la forma de medición en consultorio y los métodos fuera de él: medición intermitente domiciliaria o, bien, monitoreo ambulatorio de la presión arterial. Estos dos últimos han dado la oportunidad de identificar mejor el patrón de comportamiento y su variabilidad biológica, lo que acerca aún más al médico al conocimiento del comportamiento de las variaciones de presión en los sujetos con hipertensión arterial y prehipertensión. En esta revisión se discuten los alcances y limitaciones de cada forma de medición de la presión arterial.

Abstract The measurement of blood pressure in the arm continues to be the standard technique for the diagnosis of systemic arterial hypertension. However, the way to measure blood pressure has given much to talk about in recent years. While mercury-containing measuring have been displaced by digital devices, now questioning is where the pressure must be measured. To know this form of measurement in practice and methods outside the office: Home intermittent measurement or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. These last two have given the opportunity to better identify the pattern of behavior and biological variability, what further approaches the medical knowledge of the behavior of the pressure variations in arterial hypertension and prehypertension subject carriers. In this review, we will discuss the scope and limitations of each form of measurement of blood pressure.

[Pulmonary arterial hypertension from the risk assessment to combined treatment]. / Hipertensión arterial pulmonar desde la evaluación del riesgo al tratamiento combinado.

This paper shows the importance of the guideline clinical practice as well as the centers for comprehensive care of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The current treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is analyzed according to its severity, stratified through the evaluation of the multiple parameters of risk and its mortality to 1 year. The prognosis of the disease is considered and the place of the combined treatment indicated in sequential manner or from the beginning.

En este trabajo se señala la importancia de las guías de actuación clínica, así como de los centros de atención integral de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar. Se analiza el tratamiento actual de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar de acuerdo a su severidad, estratificado a través de la evaluación de parámetros múltiples de riesgo y su mortalidad a 1 año. Además, se considera el pronóstico de la enfermedad y el lugar que tiene el tratamiento combinado indicado en forma secuencial o desde un inicio.

[Situational diagnosis of cancer care at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social]. / Diagnóstico situacional de la atención oncológica en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.

Cancer is a public health problem with an impact on Health Services in Mexico; it is also, one of the leading causes of mortality (mortality rate: 610.6 / 100 000) and is expected to double the total number of new cases by 2035 (GLOBOCAN). The most frequent neoplasms are the malignant tumor of breast, prostate, cervix and uterin, colorectal and pulmonary. The most affected groups are the female, and by age the 65 years and older (INEGI). At the IMSS, the mortality rate for malignant tumors has varied, with a sustained decline since 2010. In the last 15 years there has been a growth of 15% of the Disability Adjusted Life Years; during which the IMSS spent 2% of its current expenditure resources of the Health Insurance and Maternity. The IMSS has a network of medical units capable of attending to the process of prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of cancer patients. With the commitment of its improvement and to fulfill the National Health Programs, the OncoIMSS Program was created, with a reorganization of the care process with opportunity, quality, optimization of resources, regionalization, strengthening of infrastructure and trained human capital.

El cáncer es un problema de salud pública con impacto en los Servicios de Salud en México; es una de las principales causas de mortalidad (tasa de mortalidad: 610.6 / 100 000 habitantes) y se espera que duplique el total de casos nuevos para el año 2035 (GLOBOCAN). Las neoplasias más frecuentes son el tumor maligno de mama, próstata, cervicouterino, colorrectal y pulmonar. Los grupos más afectados son: el femenino y por grupo etario el mayor a 65 años (INEGI). En el IMSS, la tasa de mortalidad por tumores malignos ha variado, con disminución sostenida desde el 2010. En los últimos 15 años ha habido un crecimiento del 15% de Años de Vida Ajustados por Discapacidad; durante el cual el Instituto erogó el 2% de los recursos del gasto corriente del Seguro de Enfermedades y Maternidad. El Instituto cuenta con una red de unidades médicas con capacidad para atender el proceso de prevención, detección precoz, diagnóstico, tratamiento y rehabilitación del paciente oncológico. Con el compromiso de su mejora y para dar cumplimiento a los Programas Nacionales de Salud se crea el Programa OncoIMSS, con reordenamiento del proceso de atención con oportunidad, calidad, optimización de recursos, regionalización, fortalecimiento de infraestructura y capital humano capacitado.

[Consensus on Systemic Arterial Hypertension In México]. / Consenso de Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica en México.

This Consenso Nacional de Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica (National Consensus on Systemic Arterial Hypertension) brings together experiences and joint work of 79 specialists who have been in contact with the patient affected by systemic arterial hypertension. All concepts here presented were outlined on the basis of the real world practice of Mexican hypertensive population. The consensus was developed under strict methodological guidelines. The Delphi technique was applied in two rounds for the development of an appropriate statistical analysis of the concepts exposed by all the specialists, who posed key questions, later developed by the panel of experts of the Hospital de Cardiología, and specialists from the Centro Médico Nacional. Several angles of this illness are shown: detection, diagnosis, pathophysiology, classification, treatment and prevention. The evidence analysis was carried out using PRISMA method. More than 600 articles were reviewed, leaving only the most representative in the references. This document concludes with practical and useful recommendations for the three levels of health care of our country.

Este Consenso Nacional de Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica reúne las experiencias y el trabajo conjunto de 79 especialistas que han estado en contacto con el paciente que padece hipertensión arterial sistémica. Todos los conceptos aquí presentados se plantearon con base en la práctica del mundo real de la población hipertensa de México. El consenso se desarrolló bajo lineamientos metodológicos estrictos. La técnica de Delphi se aplicó en dos vueltas para el desarrollo de un análisis estadístico apropiado de los conceptos vertidos por todos los especialistas con preguntas clave que desarrolló el panel de expertos del Hospital de Cardiología y especialistas del Centro Médico Nacional. Se presentan los aspectos de detección, diagnóstico, fisiopatología, clasificación, tratamiento y prevención. El análisis de la evidencia en la literatura se hizo utilizando el método de PRISMA para análisis de evidencia. Se revisaron más de 600 artículos y se dejaron en la bibliografía solo los más representativos. Este documento concluye con recomendaciones prácticas y de utilidad para los tres niveles de atención en salud de nuestro país.