Country experiences on the path to exclusive use of validated automated blood pressure measuring devices within the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative.

The aim of the HEARTS in the Americas initiative is to promote the adoption of global best practices in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases, and improve the control of hypertension. HEARTS is being implemented in 21 countries and a diverse set of actions and measures are in progress to improve exclusive access in primary health care facilities to automated blood pressure measuring devices that have been validated for accuracy. The purpose of this manuscript is to illustrate these efforts, mainly in the regulatory and public procurement arena, and to present information on common challenges and solutions identified.

Evaluating the performance of automated sphygmomanometers using a patient simulator.

Background And Objective: Automated sphygmomanometers use the oscillometric method to measure blood pressure, which is based on an algorithm that relates the amplitude of the oscillometric waveform pulses and the pressure inside the cuff. Validation uses empirical information from clinical trials conducted by each manufacturer. Consequently, measurement algorithms are not harmonized, being based on distinct arterial waveforms, according to each group of volunteers of the clinical test.

Mars walking simulation: An electromyographic analysis.

Context: With a long duration return mission to Mars on the horizon, we must learn as much about the environment and its influence on the musculoskeletal system as possible to develop countermeasures and mitigate deleterious health effects and maladaptation.

Aims: To determine the influence of simulated Mars gravity on the activity of four locomotor muscles while walking, in comparison to 1 G, using lower body positive pressure (LBPP).

Material And Methods: A total of 14 male subjects (mean age: 20.

Blood Flow Restriction Training Reduces Blood Pressure During Exercise Without Affecting Metaboreflex Activity.

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has been proposed to induce muscle hypertrophy, but its safety remains controversial as it may increase mean arterial pressure (MAP) due to muscle metaboreflex activation. However, BFR training also causes metabolite accumulation that may desensitize type III and IV nerve endings, which trigger muscle metaboreflex. Then, we hypothesized that a period of BFR training would result in blunted hemodynamic activation during muscle metaboreflex.

Evaluating the impact of measurement uncertainty in blood pressure measurement on hypertension diagnosis.

Background And Objective: The sphygmomanometer is a well-known device used widely for blood pressure (BP)measurement in primary cares to diagnose hypertension. It is also vastly used by patients to monitor BP for medication. Deviations in measurement might affect significantly the diagnosis.

Comparative radiographic analysis on the anatomical axis in knee osteoarthritis cases: inter and intraobserver evaluation.

Objective: To make a comparative inter and intraobserver analysis on measurements of the anatomical axis between panoramic radiographs of the lower limbs in anteroposterior (AP) view with bipedal weight-bearing, on short film.

Methods: An accuracy study comparing radiographic measurements on 47 knees of patients attending the knee surgery outpatient clinic due to osteoarthritis. The radiographic evaluation used was as standardized for the total knee arthroplasty program, including panoramic AP views of the lower limbs and short radiographs of the knees in AP and lateral views, all with bipedal weight-bearing.