The Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Peripheral and Central Hemodynamic Parameters on Resistant Hypertension: A Case Report.

Resistant hypertension (RH) is characterized by being difficult to control, even with the use of various antihypertensive drugs and is associated with target organ lesions and other comorbidities. Thus, new treatment alternatives such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can offer benefits to resistant hypertensive patients by reducing blood pressure (BP) in a non-invasive way and without the need for the association of more antihypertensive drugs. In this case, a patient with RH was submitted to three weekly applications of TENS on the stellate ganglion lasting 40 min each for 1 month.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism, 24-h blood pressure profile and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive individuals: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The absence of nocturnal blood pressure dipping (ND) identified by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) correlates with a worse cardiovascular prognosis. The renin-angiotensin system influences blood pressure levels and the occurrence of target organ damage (TOD). Thus, the aim of this study was to correlate the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism with the 24-h blood pressure profile and TOD in hypertensive individuals.

Twelve-week randomized study to compare the effect of vildagliptin vs. glibenclamide both added-on to metformin on endothelium function in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Background: Vildagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), shows beneficial effects on endothelial function. This study aims to evaluate the effect of vildagliptin on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with T2DM and hypertension.

Methods: Fifty over 35-year-old patients with T2DM and hypertension, without cardiovascular disease, will be randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 will receive vildagliptin added-on to metformin and group 2, glibenclamide added-on to metformin.

How to Investigate the Vascular Changes in Resistant Hypertension.

The pathophysiological mechanism of resistant hypertension (RH) is related to increased vascular smooth muscle tone and blood volume, exacerbation of the activity of the sympathetic system and hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), all of which are important regulatory mechanisms of blood pressure. Hypertension is associated with reduced endothelial homeostasis, and thus the best treatment would not only reduce blood pressure but also reverse endothelial injury. RH is associated with more serious vascular dysfunction, assessed by endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the presence of serum biomarkers.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome: association with risk factors and cardiovascular complications in an urban population.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a set of cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes, responsible for a 2.5-fold increased cardiovascular mortality and a 5-fold higher risk of developing diabetes.

Objectives: 1-to evaluate the prevalence of MS in individuals over 18 years associated with age, gender, socioeconomic status, educational levels, body mass index (BMI), HOMA index and physical activity; moreover, to compare it to other studies; 2-to compare the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP), high triglycerides and plasma glucose levels, low HDL cholesterol and high waist circumference among individuals with MS also according to gender; 3-to determine the number of risk factors in subjects with MS and prevalence of complications in individuals with and without MS aged over 40 years.