Sunday, November 19, 2017
Jury Duty Lifesaver: Mayo Clinic Radio
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIzgf-oGrmE
Individualizing Obesity Treatment: Mayo Clinic Radio
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-606s4jZC1A
Mayo Clinic Minute: Research shows newer blood thinners have lower risk of kidney function decline
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WAy_y3j9tM
#AsktheMayoMom Video Q&A about Thyroid Problems in Children
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBztrK0l2kk
New high blood pressure guidelines: Think your blood pressure is fine? Think again…
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association certainly grabbed the attention of us busy primary care physicians with the recent release of their updated blood pressure guidelines. These organizations had piqued interest by declaring the release date and labeling it as “highly anticipated.” I pooh-poohed all that drama, but upon reading through the 114-page executive summary PDF with 21 authors and almost a thousand references, I have to say, I am duly impressed.
The definition of the diagnosis of high blood pressure and the decision-making process surrounding treatment have traditionally been quite individualized (read: all over the place). Personally, I invite these stricter measures, because they are accompanied by solid research, logistical guidance, and useful management strategies.
However, a whole heck of a lot of people just got pulled into a significant medical diagnosis.
Let’s review what’s new.
A new definition of high blood pressure (hypertension)
(Please note that all numbers refer to mm Hg, or, millimeters of mercury.) The guidelines, in a nutshell, state that normal blood pressure is under 120/80, whereas up until Monday, normal was under 140/90.
Now, elevated blood pressure (without a diagnosis of hypertension) is systolic blood pressure (the top number) between 120 and 129. That used to be a vague category called “prehypertension.”
Stage 1 high blood pressure (a diagnosis of hypertension) is now between 130 and 139 systolic or between 80 and 89 diastolic (the bottom number).
Stage 2 high blood pressure is now over 140 systolic or 90 diastolic.
The measurements must have been obtained from at least two careful readings on at least two different occasions. What does careful mean? The guidelines provide a six-step tutorial on how, exactly, to correctly measure a blood pressure, which, admittedly, is sorely needed. My patients often have their first blood pressure taken immediately after they have rushed in through downtown traffic, as they’re sipping a large caffeinated beverage. While we always knew this could result in a falsely elevated measurement, it is now officially poor clinical technique resulting in an invalid reading.
New recommendations on monitoring blood pressure
The new guidelines also encourage additional monitoring, using a wearable digital monitor that continually takes blood pressure readings as you go about your life, or checked with your own cuff at home. This additional monitoring can help to tease out masked hypertension (when the blood pressure is normal in our office, but high the rest of the time) or white coat hypertension (when the blood pressure is high in our office, but normal the rest of the time). There are clear, helpful directions for setting patients up with a home blood pressure monitor, including a recommendation to give people specific instructions on when not to check blood pressure (within 30 minutes of smoking, drinking coffee, or exercising) and how to take a measurement correctly (seated comfortably, using the correct size cuff). The home blood pressure cuff should first be validated (checked in the office, for accuracy).
If you now have high blood pressure, you may not need meds… yet
The guidelines also outline very clearly when a diet-and-lifestyle approach is the recommended, first-line treatment, and when medications are simply just what you have to do. Thankfully, the decision is largely based on facts and statistics. For the elevated blood pressure category, medications are actually not recommended; rather, a long list of evidence-based, non-drug interventions are. What are these interventions? Things that really work: a diet high in fruits and vegetables (such as the DASH diet, which is naturally high in potassium); decreased salt and bad fats; more activity; weight loss if one is overweight or obese; and no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men, and one for women. Simply changing what you eat can bring down systolic blood pressure by as much as 11 points, and each additional healthy habit you adopt can bring it down another four to five points.
For people with stage 1 hypertension who don’t have cardiovascular disease and are at low risk for developing it (less than 10% risk of an event within 10 years), lifestyle changes are still the way to go. (Risk is determined using a well-researched, widely used formula available here.)
However, if a patient has any kind of cardiovascular disease and stage 1 hypertension (a blood pressure over 130 systolic or 80 diastolic), or no existing cardiovascular disease but a significant risk of developing it (over 10% risk within the next 10 years), then lifestyle changes plus medications are recommended. And, even if someone has less than a 10% risk, if their blood pressure is over 140 systolic or 90 diastolic, which is now stage 2 high blood pressure, they ought to be treated with medication as well.
Optimizing treatment of high blood pressure
The authors bring several evidence-based yet progressive concepts into the guidelines, the first of which is that high blood pressure should be treated using a team approach. This makes sense, as science supports more and better patient education around self-monitoring, nutrition, and lifestyle changes, as well as stress management. Telehealth is emphasized as a cost-effective method of ongoing monitoring that is more convenient for patients than frequent office visits.
And why should this all matter to you?
Mountains of research over time have shown a very clear link between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. A 20-point higher systolic blood pressure or a 10-point higher diastolic blood pressure is associated with double your risk of death from a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular complication (like abdominal aortic aneurysm or heart failure). What many people don’t realize is that those who survive these events find their lives permanently altered by disability and medical complications.
Much is being made of the fact that the new definitions of high blood pressure will mean roughly half of all US citizens will be considered to have high blood pressure, but when you really look at the numbers, as cardiologists already have, not that many more people will actually be advised to take medications. Although the public has good reason to be suspicious of “big pharma,” that’s not what this is about.
Diet and lifestyle changes are powerful medicine. Even if your blood pressure is normal now, you can help to prevent it from becoming elevated starting today. Eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and limit foods high in sodium and unhealthy fats. Be as physically active as possible.
There is a lot more in the very long, detailed executive summary, including specific guidance for various populations, myriad diseases, and special circumstances, but this is the gist of it. The document is free, and available here.
The post New high blood pressure guidelines: Think your blood pressure is fine? Think again… appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Monique Tello, MD, MPH https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-high-blood-pressure-guidelines-2017111712756
America’s Diabetes Challenge: Thank you from Tim McGraw
Diabetes has impacted my family, friends and fans, and I know that November is an important time for the community, as it marks American Diabetes Month®. November is also a time to come together with our loved ones and give thanks. So, I’d like to thank all those who’ve participated in America’s Diabetes Challenge over the years – I’m so impressed by the progress you’ve made and your dedication to managing this disease.
Whether you live with type 2 diabetes or know someone who does, it can bring many challenges along the way. For the past two years, we’ve encouraged people to share their type 2 diabetes stories – both struggles and successes – and the response has been overwhelming.
We heard from so many patients and caregivers across the country: from JoAnne in Maryland – who sometimes struggles to cope with her diabetes and control her blood sugar levels – to Norma in Ohio – who tries to be a supportive caregiver by exercising with her husband. Through these stories, we found that while people struggle with different aspects of the disease, the community shares one thing in common: an unwavering determination to tackle these obstacles.
Whether you’ve made changes to your diet, started a new exercise routine or reached your A1C goal, you’ve all accomplished so much. Make sure you acknowledge and reward yourself for the great strides you’ve made.
Thank you again for inspiring me with your stories, and I look forward to hearing more about your experiences. Working toward new health goals may be difficult at times, but remember that you’re not alone. AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com is a great resource with helpful diabetes management tips and you can also join the program’s Facebook community to engage with others who understand what you’re going through.
I believe in this community and wish you all the best.
With gratitude,
Tim McGraw
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2017/11/17/americas-diabetes-challenge-thank-you-from-tim-mcgraw/
Make Insulin Affordable: An update from William T. Cefalu
“I am a single mom with type 1 diabetes. Sometimes I have to choose between paying for my insulin and feeding my son. No one should have to make a choice like that.” –E.R., Oklahoma
We hear far too many stories like this, of people with diabetes who are forced to choose between buying the insulin they need to survive and affording necessities to care for their families. This is unacceptable, and that is why the American Diabetes Association has taken a stand to find solutions to ensure insulin is affordable for all who need it.
For millions of people living with diabetes, including all individuals with type 1 diabetes, access to insulin is a matter of life and death. Insulin is not a luxury; however, the average price of this lifesaving medication has skyrocketed in recent years, nearly tripling between 2002 and 2013. Today marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of our Make Insulin Affordable campaign, which calls for all entities in the insulin supply chain—including manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, and pharmacies— to be transparent about the pricing process. Increasing transparency in this process is the first step to identifying viable, long-term solutions. We are also calling on everyone involved in the insulin supply chain to guarantee that no person with diabetes is denied affordable access to insulin.
In the year since our campaign launched, we have held more than 200 Congressional meetings with our diabetes advocates; collected more than 600 patient, caregiver and provider stories; and had 260,000 people sign our Make Insulin Affordable petition, which was delivered to the co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus in March. We have also convened an Insulin Access and Affordability Working Group that has met with stakeholders at all levels of the supply chain, as well as with leaders in Congress, in an effort to understand the underlying causes that have led to the surge in insulin prices, and we are working together to propose solutions.
In 2018, we hope to share the knowledge we have gained about the insulin supply process and our recommendations for lowering the cost of insulin.
We continue to raise our collective voices to make sure that everyone who needs lifesaving insulin has access to it, and we hope that you will join us on this one-year anniversary to help us reach 300,000 signatures on our Make Insulin Affordable petition by the end of 2017. You can sign and share our petition at MakeInsulinAffordable.org. Together we can make sure insulin is affordable for all who need it.
–William T. Cefalu, MD, Chief Scientific, Medical and Mission Officer
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2017/11/17/make-insulin-affordable-an-update-from-william-t-cefalu/
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