Aortic stiffness, assessed as estimated aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) are markers of vascular age, and carotid plaques are a marker of early atherosclerosis. In this cross-sectional study we aimed to investigate the association between aPWV, cIMT and plaques across different age groups and in women and men, in a middle-aged healthy population.

Although intensive blood pressure (BP) control has not been shown to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), intensive BP control has been shown to reduce the risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the CKD population. The aim of this post-hoc study was to study the interplay between a self-monitoring BP system and glomerular function.

This study investigates the relationship between hypertension, dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability (HRV), and chronic inflammation.

Resistant hypertension (RH) is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular events and there remains an unmet therapeutic need driven by pathophysiologic pathways unaddressed by guideline-recommended therapy. Whilst spironolactone is considered the preferred fourth-line therapy, its broad application is limited by its safety profile. Aprocitentan is a novel dual endothelin (ET) A and B receptors antagonist that has been recently approved by the FDA.

To study the role of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in the reactivity of rat and human vessels.

Hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) cause a significant burden of disease on societies and individuals by increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Environmental risk factors alone do not explain the observed sexual dimorphism in lifetime blood pressure (BP) trajectories nor inter-individual variation in HDP risk. In this short review, we focus on the genetics of hypertension-related sex differences and HDP and discuss the importance of genetics utilization for sex-specific hypertension risk prediction. Population and twin studies estimate that 28-66% of variation in BP levels and HDP is explained by genetic variation, while genomic wide association studies suggest that BP traits and HDP partly share a common genetic background. Moreover, environmental and epigenetic regulation of these genes differ by sex and oestrogen receptors in particular are shown to convey cardio- and vasculoprotective effects through epigenetic regulation of DNA. The majority of known genetic variation in hypertension and HDP is polygenic. Polygenic risk scores for BP display stronger associations with hypertension risk in women than in men and are associated with sex-specific age of hypertension onset. Monogenic forms of hypertension are rare and mostly present equally in both sexes. Despite recent genetic discoveries providing new insights into HDP and sex differences in BP traits, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying biology. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating the added clinical value of these genetic discoveries, which may eventually facilitate genomics-based personalized treatments for hypertension and HDP.

Findings from adult studies suggest that tronco-conical cuffs provide more accurate blood pressure (BP) measurements in individuals with obesity. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in office blood pressure (BP) levels using conical cuffs compared to standard-shaped cylindrical cuffs in children and adolescents with obesity.

Despite dramatic medical advances over the last few decades, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally. High BP is clearly established, but modifiable, risk factor for early disability and death. Although most of the adverse outcomes occur in adulthood it has become clear that high BP is a life course problem that can become evident in early life however, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of high BP in children and adolescents. Being aware of the problem and the needs, the Task Force of the ESH Guidelines in children and adolescents took the initiative to move forward in the field, identifying the COST Action program. A proposal, HyperChildNET, was submitted, approved and funded for 4 years starting in October 2020. The aim of the Action has been to establish a European sustainable and multidisciplinary network of researchers, clinicians, early career investigators, health economists, decision-makers, regulatory bodies, and medical devices manufacturers under the umbrella of the European Commission in order to acquire a holistic understanding of those factors affecting high BP in children and adolescents in order to propose and implement preventive and corrective actions. All the activities carried out during the 4 years are described. HyperChildNET offers a European perspective of the issue giving us the opportunity to develop new strategies and objectives moving forward in the field.

The relationship between sleeping habits and aortic stiffness remains inconclusive and is not fully explored in the European general population.

Accurate measurement of arterial blood pressure (BP) is crucial for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of hypertension. This narrative review highlights the challenges associated with conventional (cuff-based) BP measurement and potential solutions. This work covers each method of cuff-based BP measurement, as well as cuffless alternatives, but is primarily focused on ambulatory BP monitoring.

The latest guidelines from ACC/AHA define hypertension at systolic blood pressure (SBP) 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 80-89 mmHg in contrast to guidelines from ESC/ESH defining hypertension at SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg. The aim was to determine whether the ACC/AHA definition of hypertension identifies persons at elevated risk for future cardiovascular outcome.

To explore the association between serum folate concentration and the prevalence of elderly diastolic hypertension. This study aims to identify potential relationships that could inform further research into the mechanisms underlying hypertension management.

The Endocrine Society (ES) guidelines recommend screening for primary aldosteronism (PA) in high risk hypertensive patients presenting with at least one of seven criteria (resistant HTN, hypokalaemia, adrenal nodule, etc.) Although guidelines are clear and screening is simple, compliance rates among clinicians are extremely low. This results in underdiagnosis of early disease, leading to cadiovasculaer complications and the extra-burden of advanced chronic kidney disease. We aimed to evaluate the screening rates in our Nephrology and Hypertension clinics, as an example of a dedicated Hypertension Excellence Centre. Data on adult hypertensive patients was retrieved from January 2018 to December 2020. Included in the study were hypertensive patients who had at least one of the ES criteria for PA screening. Of all suitable patients, we compared those who were screened for PA to patients who were not screened. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used for comparison between groups. Of 661 patients with HTN, 218 patients (33%) met the ES guidelines for PA screening. Forty-six of them (21.1%) were referred for screening. Advanced age and male gender were associated with lower screening referral rates. Odds ratio for age was 0.945 for every year (95% CI 0.915 - 0.975). There was a trend towards decreased referral rate in advanced kidney disease. A 21% screening rate, suggests that many cases of PA are likely missed, more often in older patients. We therefore advocate for PA screening of all hypertensive patients, especially elderly patients with CKD, in whom clinicians' awareness is low but the absolute risk is high.

In the in-clinic blood pressure (BP) recording setting, a sizable number of individuals with normal BP and approximately 30% of patients with chronic renal disease (CKD) exhibit elevated outpatient BP records. These individuals are known as masked hypertension (MHTN), and when they are on antihypertensive medications, but their BP is not controlled, they are called masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUHTN). The masked phenomenon (MP) (MHTN and MUHTN) increases susceptibility to end-organ damage (a two-fold greater risk for cardiovascular events and kidney dysfunction). The potential extension of the observed benefits of MP therapy, including a reduction in end-organ damage, remains questionable.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in women, largely underpinned by hypertension. Current guidelines recommend first-line therapy with a RAAS-blocking agent especially in young people. There are well documented sex disparities in CVD outcomes and management. We evaluate the management of patients with newly diagnosed hypertension in a tertiary care clinic to assess male-female differences in investigation and treatment.

Hypertension refers to the elevated blood pressure (BP) in arteries, with a BP reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher in adults. Over 40% of >25-year-old population have suffered from hypertension. Thus, this study aimed to find novel diagnostic biomarkers for hypertension.