Accuracy of methods to estimate central aortic SBP via upper arm cuff: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Central aortic BP may predict cardiovascular outcomes better than upper arm brachial BP. In recent years, technology has enabled central BP estimation by recording a peripheral BP waveform from a standard upper arm cuff. The accuracy of these devices is not well documented, and this study aimed to address this issue. METHODS: This study was a systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, of observational studies published between 2008 and 2023 that reported accuracy testing of cuff-based central BP devices, compared with reference invasive aortic BP. The primary analysis was stratified according to each commercially available device. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects models based on mean differences and standard errors. RESULTS: Six thousand four hundred and fifteen studies were screened, and 27 studies met inclusion criteria (plus one unpublished study). This generated data for seven devices that are commercially available, which were tested among 2125 adult participants. There was very high heterogeneity when all devices were pooled (I2 = 97.5%), and, when stratified by device, the accuracy of estimated central BP was highly device-dependent (range of accuracy across different devices -12.4 mmHg (-16.3 to -8.5) to 3.2 mmHg (0.2-6.1). Two of the seven commercially available devices had not undergone external validation testing. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of commercially available cuff-based central BP devices is highly device-specific and not all are accurate for the estimation of central SBP. These findings have major implications for the appropriate interpretation of studies that use cuff-based estimated central BP.

Blood Pressure Lowering in Patients With Central Hypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cuff blood pressure (BP) is recommended for guiding hypertension management. However, central BP has been proposed as a superior clinical measurement. This study aimed to determine whether controlling hypertension as measured by central BP was beneficial in reducing left ventricular mass index beyond control of standard cuff hypertension. METHODS: This multicenter, open-label, blinded-end point trial was conducted in individuals treated for uncomplicated hypertension with controlled cuff BP (<140/90 mm Hg) but elevated central BP (≥0.5 SD above age- and sex-specific normal values). Participants were randomized to 24-months intervention with spironolactone 25 mg/day (n=148) or usual care control (n=153). The primary outcome was change in left ventricular mass index measured by cardiac MRI. Cuff and central BPs were measured by clinic, 7-day home and 24-hour ambulatory BPs. RESULTS: At 24-months, there was a greater reduction in left ventricular mass index (-3.2 [95% CI, -5.0 to -1.3] g/m2; P=0.001) with intervention compared with control. Cuff and central BPs were lowered by a similar magnitude across all BP measurement modes (eg, clinic cuff systolic BP, -6.16 [-9.60 to -2.72] mm Hg and clinic central systolic BP, -4.96 [-8.06 to -1.86] mm Hg; P≥0.48 all). Secondary analyses found that changes in left ventricular mass index correlated to changes in BP, with the magnitude of effect nearly identical for BP measured by cuff (eg, 24-hour systolic BP, ß, 0.17 [0.02-0.31] g/m2) or centrally (24-hour systolic BP, ß, 0.16 [0.01-0.32] g/m2). CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals with central hypertension, spironolactone had beneficial effects in reducing LV mass. Secondary analyses showed that changes in LV mass were equally well associated with lower measured standard cuff BP and central BP. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/; Unique identifier: ACTRN12613000053729.

How do general practitioners manage patient health literacy differences in cardiovascular disease prevention consultations? An interview study.

OBJECTIVES: Low health literacy is associated with worse health outcomes, including for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, general practitioners (GPs) have limited support to identify and address patient health literacy needs in CVD prevention consultations. This study explored GPs' experiences of patient health literacy needs during CVD risk assessment and management consultations. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 18 GPs in Tasmania, Australia in 2021. A Framework Analysis approach was used to code transcripts to a thematic framework. RESULTS: GPs perceptions on patient health literacy informed three themes: 1. Methods of estimating health literacy; 2. GPs' perceptions about the impact of health literacy on CVD prevention including risk factor knowledge and behaviours; and 3. Strategies for communicating with patients experiencing health literacy challenges. The findings show that while no formal tools were used to assess health literacy in this sample, perceived health literacy can change GPs' communication and prevention strategies. CONCLUSION: The findings raise concerns about the equity of choices made available to patients, based on subjective perceptions of their health literacy level. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: GPs could be better supported to assess and address patient health literacy needs in CVD prevention consultations.

2024 Recommendations for Validation of Noninvasive Arterial Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement Devices.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness, as measured by arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an established biomarker for cardiovascular risk and target-organ damage in individuals with hypertension. With the emergence of new devices for assessing PWV, it has become evident that some of these devices yield results that display significant discrepancies compared with previous devices. This discrepancy underscores the importance of comprehensive validation procedures and the need for international recommendations. METHODS: A stepwise approach utilizing the modified Delphi technique, with the involvement of key scientific societies dedicated to arterial stiffness research worldwide, was adopted to formulate, through a multidisciplinary vision, a shared approach to the validation of noninvasive arterial PWV measurement devices. RESULTS: A set of recommendations has been developed, which aim to provide guidance to clinicians, researchers, and device manufacturers regarding the validation of new PWV measurement devices. The intention behind these recommendations is to ensure that the validation process can be conducted in a rigorous and consistent manner and to promote standardization and harmonization among PWV devices, thereby facilitating their widespread adoption in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that these recommendations will encourage both users and developers of PWV measurement devices to critically evaluate and validate their technologies, ultimately leading to improved consistency and comparability of results. This, in turn, will enhance the clinical utility of PWV as a valuable tool for assessing arterial stiffness and informing cardiovascular risk stratification and management in individuals with hypertension.

Knowledge and practices related to salt consumption in China: findings from a national representative cross-sectional survey.

There is limited information on the knowledge and practice of salt-reduction in China. The purpose of this study was to describe the status of the knowledge and practice of salt-reduction among the Chinese population from a nationally representative survey stratified according to hypertension status. The association between hypertensive status and salt-reduction knowledge and practice was calculated using multivariate hierarchical logistic regression adjusting for related confounders. The study included 179,834 participants; 51.7% were women, and the mean age was 44 years. The levels of overall salt-reduction knowledge (7.9%) and practice (37.1%) were low. The percentage of the use of salt-control spoons and low-sodium salt was 10.7% and 12.2%. The aging population (≥60 years) had the lowest levels of salt-reduction knowledge (5.7%) than other age groups (P < 0.0001). People living in rural areas (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.81) had lower odds of using salt-control spoons. Females (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.36) had higher odds of using salt-control spoons. People living in rural areas (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.63) had lower odds of using low-sodium salt. Females (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.41) and people living in the southern region (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.83) had higher odds of using low-sodium salt. Our work highlights the need to promote education related to hypertension, salt-reduction knowledge and methods among the public and the need to strengthen strategies for the popularization of salt-reduction knowledge and practices among males, people living in rural areas, people living in the northern region and the aging population in China.

Blood Pressure at Different Life Stages Over the Early Life Course and Intima-Media Thickness.

Importance: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) begins in early life, the extent to which blood pressure (BP) at different life stages contributes to CVD is unclear. Objective: To determine the relative contribution of BP at different life stages across the early-life course from infancy to young adulthood with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Design, setting, and participants: The analyses were performed in 2022 using data gathered from July 1989 through January 2018 within the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project, a randomized, infancy-onset cohort of 534 participants coupled with annual BP (from age 7 months to 20 years), biennial IMT measurements (from ages 13 to 19 years), who were followed up with again at age 26 years. Exposures: BP measured from infancy (aged 7 to 13 months), preschool (2 to 5 years), childhood (6 to 12 years), adolescence (13 to 17 years), and young adulthood (18 to 26 years). Main outcomes and measures: Primary outcomes were carotid IMT measured in young adulthood at age 26 years. Bayesian relevant life-course exposure models assessed the relative contribution of BP at each life stage. Results: Systolic BP at each life stage contributed to the association with young adulthood carotid IMT (infancy: relative weight, 25.3%; 95% credible interval [CrI], 3.6-45.8; preschool childhood: relative weight, 27.0%; 95% CrI, 3.3-57.1; childhood: relative weight, 18.0%; 95% CrI, 0.5-40.0; adolescence: relative weight, 13.5%; 95% CrI, 0.4-37.1; and young adulthood: relative weight, 16.2%; 95% CrI, 1.6-46.1). A 1-SD (at single life-stage) higher systolic BP accumulated across the life course was associated with a higher carotid IMT (0.02 mm; 95% CrI, 0.01-0.03). The findings for carotid IMT were replicated in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study that assessed systolic BP from childhood and carotid IMT in adulthood (33 to 45 years). Conclusion and relevance: In this cohort study, a life-course approach indicated that accumulation of risk exposure to BP levels at all life stages contributed to adulthood carotid IMT. Of those, the contribution attributed to each observed life stage was approximately equal. These results support prevention efforts that achieve and maintain normal BP levels across the life course, starting in infancy.

Improving the accuracy of blood pressure measuring devices in Australia: a modelled return on investment study.

The VALID BP project was initiated to increase the availability of validated blood pressure measuring devices (BPMDs). The goal is to eliminate non validated BPMDs and minimise over- and underdiagnosis of hypertension caused by inaccurate readings. This study was undertaken to assess the potential return on investment in the VALID BP project. The Framework to Assess the Impact of Translational Health Research was applied to the VALID BP project. This paper focuses on the implementation of the cost benefit analysis aspect of this framework to monetise past research investment and model future research costs, implementation costs, and benefits. Analysis was based on reasoned assumptions about potential impacts from availability and use of validated BPMDs (assuming an end goal of 100% validated BPMDs available in Australia by 2028) and improved skills leading to more accurate BP measurement. After 5 years, with 20% attribution of benefits, there is a potential $1.14-$1.30 return for every dollar spent if the proportion of validated BPMDs and staff trained in proper BP measurement technique increased from 20% to 60%. After eight years (2020-2028) and assuming universal validation and training coverage, the returns would be between $2.70 and $3.20 per dollar spent (not including cost of side effects of unnecessary medication or downstream patient impacts from unmanaged hypertension). This modelled economic analysis indicates there will be positive downstream economic benefits if the availability of validated BPMDs is increased. The findings support ongoing efforts toward a universal regulatory framework for BPMDs and can be considered within more detailed future economic analyses.

Lifestyle management of hypertension: International Society of Hypertension position paper endorsed by the World Hypertension League and European Society of Hypertension.

Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools.

Menopause and accelerated aortic stiffness.

BACKGROUND: The menopausal transition is widely believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, based on the notion that estrogen is cardioprotective in women. While aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease, it has been unclear whether this risk increases during menopause. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between changes in menopausal status and aortic stiffness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Menopausal status was classified using the Stages of Reproductive Aging in Women criteria in a stratified random sample of Australian women aged 40-80 years, at three time-points over 14 years (n = 469 in 2001-02 and 2005, and n = 323 in 2014). Aortic stiffness was measured non-invasively via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity at each time point. Mixed modeling was employed to determine the independent associations between menopausal status and aortic stiffness accounting for multiple covariates including age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, medications, cholesterol, waist circumference, smoking and diabetes status. RESULTS: There was no evidence to support an association between the menopausal transition and an acceleration of aortic stiffness. However, there was an acceleration of aortic stiffness in the late (8+ years) postmenopause phase, after accounting for age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (0.122 [95%CI: 0.106, 0.139] m/s/year; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The menopausal transition is not associated with major changes in aortic stiffness beyond normal age-related effects. However, the clinically significant acceleration in aortic stiffness observed in late postmenopause may contribute to greater cardiovascular risk in this later life phase. Study registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, reference ACTRN12618000005257.

Health Service Impacts and Risk Factors for Severe Trauma in Mountain Biking: A Narrative Review.

Mountain biking is growing in participation but carries risk for severe injury and burden on health systems. Little is known about the impact of these injuries on emergency medical services, definitive healthcare, and factors contributing to accidents. This review aimed to determine the health service impacts of severe mountain bike trauma and risk factors, with a view to understanding critical gaps and needs. A systematic online search was conducted using the databases PubMed and MEDLINE complete and grey literature relating to mountain bike injury since the databases' inception to July 2023. The results show that although mountain biking has relatively high injury rates that are increasing, the impacts on health services were rarely documented, with some evidence indicating that even small increases in injuries from race events can overwhelm local health services. Severe injuries were more common in downhill disciplines. However, the definitions of what constitutes severe injury were variable. Severe injuries were more common in downhill disciplines, influenced by the rider skill level, demographics, participation in competitive events, trail design, environmental factors, and healthcare availability. Further research in these areas is needed, along with the more consistent reporting of injury severity.

Exploring the direct and indirect effects of cardiovascular disease risk factors on exercise blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Exaggerated exercise blood pressure (BP) is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. However, it is unknown how individual CVD risk factors may interact with one another to influence exercise BP. The aim of this study was to quantify direct and indirect associations between CVD risk factors and exercise BP, to determine what CVD risk factor/s most-strongly relate to exercise BP. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, 660 participants (44 ± 2.6 years, 54% male) from the population-based Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study had BP measured during low-intensity fixed-workload cycling. CVD risk factors were measured, including body composition, clinic (rest) BP, blood biomarkers, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Associations between CVD risk factors and exercise BP were assessed using linear regression, with direct and indirect pathways of association assessed via structural equation model. RESULTS: Sex, waist-to-hip ratio, fitness, and clinic BP were independently associated with exercise systolic BP (SBP), and along with age, had direct associations with exercise SBP (p < 0.05 all). Most CVD risk factors were indirectly associated with exercise SBP via a relation with clinic BP (p < 0.05 all). Clinic BP, waist-to-hip ratio, and fitness were most-strongly associated (direct and indirect association) with exercise SBP (ß[95% CI]: 9.35 [8.04, 10.67], 4.91 [2.56, 7.26], and -2.88 [-4.25, -1.51] mm Hg/SD, respectively). CONCLUSION: Many CVD risk factors are associated with exercise BP, mostly with indirect effects via clinic BP. Clinic BP, body composition, and fitness were most-strongly associated with exercise BP. These results may elucidate how lifestyle modification could be a primary strategy to decrease exaggerated exercise BP-related CVD risk.

Cardiovascular and health cost impacts of cuff blood pressure underestimation and overestimation of invasive aortic systolic blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension management is directed by cuff blood pressure (BP), but this may be inaccurate, potentially influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and health costs. This study aimed to determine the impact on CVD events and related costs of the differences between cuff and invasive SBP. METHODS: Microsimulations based on Markov modelling over one year were used to determine the differences in the number of CVD events (myocardial infarction or coronary death, stroke, atrial fibrillation or heart failure) predicted by Framingham risk and total CVD health costs based on cuff SBP compared with invasive (aortic) SBP. Modelling was based on international consortium data from 1678 participants undergoing cardiac catheterization and 30 separate studies. Cuff underestimation and overestimation were defined as cuff SBP less than invasive SBP and cuff SBP greater than invasive SBP, respectively. RESULTS: The proportion of people with cuff SBP underestimation versus overestimation progressively increased as SBP increased. This reached a maximum ratio of 16 : 1 in people with hypertension grades II and III. Both the number of CVD events missed (predominantly stroke, coronary death and myocardial infarction) and associated health costs increased stepwise across levels of SBP control, as cuff SBP underestimation increased. The maximum number of CVD events potentially missed (11.8/1000 patients) and highest costs ($241 300 USD/1000 patients) were seen in people with hypertension grades II and III and with at least 15 mmHg of cuff SBP underestimation. CONCLUSION: Cuff SBP underestimation can result in potentially preventable CVD events being missed and major increases in health costs. These issues could be remedied with improved cuff SBP accuracy.

Transforming blood pressure control in primary care through a novel remote decision support strategy based on wearable blood pressure monitoring: The NEXTGEN-BP randomized trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Despite high blood pressure being the leading preventable risk factor for death, only 1 in 3 patients achieve target blood pressure control. Key contributors to this problem are clinical inertia and uncertainties in relying on clinic blood pressure measurements to make treatment decisions. METHODS: The NEXTGEN-BP open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial will investigate the efficacy, safety, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of a wearable blood pressure monitor-based care strategy for the treatment of hypertension, compared to usual care, in lowering clinic blood pressure over 12 months. NEXTGEN-BP will enroll 600 adults with high blood pressure, treated with 0 to 2 antihypertensive medications. Participants attending primary care practices in Australia will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention of a wearable-based remote care strategy or to usual care. Participants in the intervention arm will undergo continuous blood pressure monitoring using a wrist-wearable cuffless device (Aktiia, Switzerland) and participate in 2 telehealth consultations with their primary care practitioner (general practitioner [GP]) at months 1 and 2. Antihypertensive medication will be up-titrated by the primary care practitioner at the time of telehealth consults should the percentage of daytime blood pressure at target over the past week be <90%, if clinically tolerated. Participants in the usual care arm will have primary care consultations according to usual practice. The primary outcome is the difference between intervention and control in change in clinic systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes will be assessed at month 3 and month 12, and include acceptability to patients and practitioners, cost-effectiveness, safety, medication adherence and patient engagement. CONCLUSIONS: NEXTGEN-BP will provide evidence for the effectiveness and safety of a new paradigm of wearable cuffless monitoring in the management of high blood pressure in primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12622001583730.

Diabetes mellitus care cascade among a cohort of persons living with HIV and hypertension in Uganda: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In Uganda, it is recommended that persons with HIV receive integrated care to address both hypertension and diabetes. However, the extent to which appropriate diabetes care is delivered remains unknown and was the aim of this study. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study among participants receiving integrated care for HIV and hypertension for at least 1 year at a large urban HIV clinic in Mulago, Uganda to determine the diabetes care cascade. RESULTS: Of the 1115 participants, the majority were female (n = 697, 62.5%) with a median age of 50 years (Inter Quartile Range: 43, 56). Six hundred twenty-seven participants (56%) were screened for diabetes mellitus, 100 (16%) were diagnosed and almost all that were diagnosed (n = 94, 94%) were initiated on treatment. Eighty-five patients (90%) were retained and all were monitored (100%) in care. Thirty-two patients (32/85, 38%) had glycaemic control. Patients on a Dolutegravir-based regimen (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.22-0.46, p < 0.001) and those with a non-suppressed viral load (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.07-0.83, p = 0.02) were less likely to be screened for diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: In very successful HIV care programs, large gaps still linger for the management of non-communicable diseases necessitating uniquely designed intervention by local authorities and implementing partners addressing the dual HIV and non-communicable diseases burden.

Uterine atony prophylaxis with carbetocin versus oxytocin and the risk of major haemorrhage during caesarean section: A retrospective cohort study.

Carbetocin and oxytocin are commonly recommended agents for active management of the third stage of labour. Evidence is inconclusive whether either one more effectively reduces the occurrence of important postpartum haemorrhage outcomes at caesarean section. We examined whether carbetocin is associated with a lower risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage (blood loss ≥ 1000 ml) in comparison with oxytocin for the third stage of labour in women undergoing caesarean section. This was a retrospective cohort study among women undergoing scheduled or intrapartum caesarean section between 1 January 2010 and 2 July 2015 who received carbetocin or oxytocin for the third stage of labour. The primary outcome was severe postpartum haemorrhage. Secondary outcomes included blood transfusion, interventions, third stage complications and estimated blood loss. Outcomes were examined overall and by timing of birth, scheduled versus intrapartum, using propensity score-matched analysis. Among 21,027 eligible participants, 10,564 women who received carbetocin and 3836 women who received oxytocin at caesarean section were included in the analysis. Carbetocin was associated with a lower risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage overall (2.1% versus 3.3%; odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.79; P < 0.001). This reduction was apparent irrespective of timing of birth. Secondary outcomes also favoured carbetocin over oxytocin. In this retrospective cohort study, the risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage associated with carbetocin was lower than that associated with oxytocin in women undergoing caesarean section. Randomised clinical trials are needed to further investigate these findings.

Impact of Patient Visualization of Cardiovascular Images on Modification of Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether detection and patient visualization of cardiovascular (CV) images using computed tomography to assess coronary artery calcium or carotid ultrasound (CU) to identify plaque and intima-medial thickness merely prompts prescription of lipid-lowering therapy or whether it motivates lifestyle change among patients. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to investigate whether patient visualization of CV images (computed tomography or CU) has a beneficial impact on improving overall absolute CV risk as well as lipid and nonlipid CV risk factors in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: The key words "CV imaging," "CV risk," "asymptomatic persons," "no known or diagnosed CV disease," and "atherosclerotic plaque" were searched in PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase in November 2021. Randomized trials that assessed the role of CV imaging in reducing CV risk in asymptomatic persons with no known CV disease were eligible for study inclusion. The primary outcome was a change in 10-year Framingham risk score from the trial commencement to the end of the follow-up following patient visualization of CV images. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials (7,083 participants) were included; 4 studies used coronary artery calcium and 2 used CU to detect subclinical atherosclerosis. All studies used image visualization in the intervention group to communicate CV risk. Imaging-guidance was associated with a 0.91% improvement in 10-year Framingham risk score (95% CI: 0.24%-1.58%; P = 0.01). Significant reductions in low-density-lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were observed (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patient visualization of CV imaging is associated with overall CV risk reduction and improvement of individual risk factors: cholesterol and systolic blood pressure.

Availability, Cost, and Consumer Ratings of Popular Nonvalidated vs Validated Blood Pressure-Measuring Devices Sold Online in 10 Countries.

This study examines the availability, cost, and consumer ratings of blood pressure­measuring devices relative to validation status across 10 countries.