Heart News
Blood pressure self-monitoring can lower heart disease risk in new mothers
The practice outperformed the normal standard of care
Women who regularly check their blood pressure after giving birth can cut their risk of heart attacks and strokes in the future , according to recent research presented at the American Heart Association ’ s Scientific Sessions .
Around �� percent of pregnant women are affected by dangerously high blood pressure levels , and a third of those with the condition during pregnancy will require blood pressure treatment within the next 10 years while also facing an increased risk for future heart attack , stroke , and heart failure .
Researchers from the University of Oxford analysed the blood pressure levels of 220 new mothers who had higher than normal readings during pregnancy and either self-monitored their blood pressure daily at home or received the normal standard of care . The former got advice on the dosage of blood pressure lowering medications based on their readings , while the latter consulted a midwife about 10 days after delivery and their G� si� to eight weeks after .
The researchers found that self-monitoring led to improved blood pressure control in the first year after giving birth . After eight months , the first group ’ s reading averaged around ������ mmHg while the second group ’ s was ������ mmHg . ��perts say that such a reduction of about 5 mmHg can delay the development of high blood pressure by several years while also reducing heart attack and stroke risks by 20 and 40 percent , respectively .
“ As we investigate the best way to provide this care on a large scale , we hope our findings will act as a reminder to healthcare professionals and encourage them to keep a close eye on the new mother under their care after they have been discharged from hospital ,” Dr Jamie Kitt , a researcher at the University of Oxford who led the trial , said in a press release .
Obesity medication cut risk for heart disease
Large trial offers new strategy against a key obesity-associated health risk
The drug semaglutide was able to reduce cardiovascular events by 20 percent , cutting the risk for death caused by heart disease , nonfatal heart attacks , and strokes , according to a multi-centre international clinical trial .
Semaglutide is usually prescribed for type 2 diabetes or chronic weight management , but the new study showed it was similarly effective in adults who were overweight or obese but had no diabetes . Participants who received the drug also lost about � . � percent of their body weight while seeing improvements in other risk factors for heart disease . Researchers analysed data from over 17,000 people in �� countries who had previously suffered from a heart attack , stroke , or peripheral artery disease and who received either semaglutide or a placebo ( dummy pill ).
�There ’ s growing recognition that obesity and overweight are really metabolic diseases , and yet , effective therapies have been �uite limited , � �r �ichael �incoff , study lead author and vice chair for research in the Cleveland Clinic ’ s Department of Cardiovascular Medicine , said in a press release . �This study of semaglutide demonstrates the effectiveness of a new pathway to reduce the excess risk associated with obesity of important and potentially deadly cardiovascular complications . �
16 ISSUE 6 | 2023 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com