Blood Pressure Archive

Ask the doctors

Q. I read that taking a hot bath might have cardiovascular benefits. Is this true?

A. It's possible. Past research has found that your body experiences some of the same changes during a warm bath as it does during exercise, including better blood flow, a higher heart rate, and stronger heart contractions. And now, a study published online March 24, 2020, by the journal Heart has shown that middle-aged people in Japan who took a daily bath in either warm or hot water had a 28% lower risk of heart and blood vessel disease than people who didn't bathe in the tub more than twice a week. The daily bathers also had a 26% lower risk of stroke than those who tub bathed less frequently. The study authors analyzed questionnaires filled out by some 30,000 people and then followed them for 20 years. However, note that this study was observational and relied on people to report their bathing activity accurately. It also isn't clear if bathing was the only factor associated with the reduction in cardiovascular problems.

Sesame seeds may be most familiar as a topping on bagels, burger buns, and breadsticks. The tiny, tear-shaped seeds have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that's enhanced when they're baked or lightly toasted in a skillet. Most are off-white or tan, but you can also find black varieties, which are popular in Asian cuisine.

Sesame seeds contain lignans and phytosterols, plant compounds that may have cholesterol-lowering effects. They're also a decent source of calcium and magnesium, two minerals linked to better blood pressure control.

Research we're watching

Frail, older people with health problems may live longer if they take the blood pressure medications their doctors prescribe, according to a study published in the August 2020 issue of the journal Hypertension.

Previous research suggests that in general, older people benefit from blood pressure drugs. But trials usually don't include people with multiple medical conditions, because those health problems make longevity findings challenging to interpret.

Research we're watching

Ticagrelor (Brilinta), a drug that helps prevent blood clots, was approved in 2011 for treating people who had experienced a heart attack or acute coronary syndrome (a sudden loss of blood flow to the heart). Now, the drug can be prescribed to a broader group of people. In June 2020, the FDA expanded ticagrelor's approval to reduce the likelihood of first heart attack or stroke among high-risk people with coronary artery disease.

The expansion is based on results from a multiyear study of more than 19,000 people with coronary artery disease and diabetes at high risk for a heart attack. Participants who took aspirin plus ticagrelor were less likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease compared with those who took aspirin alone.

Research we're watching

People with chronic pain may be more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those without chronic pain, according to a study published online May 7, 2020, by the journal Pain Medicine.

From 2001 to 2005, researchers identified 17,614 Taiwanese people who had used pain relievers for at least three months. The most common causes of pain were spinal disorders, arthritis, and headaches; the pain relievers included both over-the-counter drugs and prescription opioids. For the comparison group, researchers used 35,228 people without chronic pain who were matched by age and sex to those in the first group.

Research we're watching

Most of the evidence supporting olive oil as a heart-healthy fat comes from people living in Mediterranean countries, where olives are abundant. On average, Americans don't consume much olive oil. But those who swap in even a little olive oil to replace less healthful fats appear to lower their risk of heart disease, a new study finds.

Researchers relied on health and diet data from nearly 93,000 adults in two studies beginning in 1990. Over the next 24 years, there were nearly 10,000 cases of heart disease in the group. After adjusting for other dietary habits, age, and other heart-related risks, the researchers found that people who consumed at least a half-tablespoon of olive oil a day had a 14% lower risk for heart disease compared with people who used no olive oil.

Research we're watching

Healthy lifestyle changes may lower blood levels of a marker linked to heart disease risk, a new study finds. The substance, C-reactive protein (CRP), is a byproduct of inflammation, an immune-related response involved in the formation of artery-clogging plaque. CRP levels of 3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) and higher are associated with an elevated risk of heart disease.

The study involved people at risk for heart disease who were part of an ongoing study in the Netherlands. Researchers looked at 1,794 people with known heart disease who had CRP levels between 0.8 and 3.1 mg/L at their first visit. At the second visit, after a median follow-up period of nearly 10 years, the participants' CRP levels had dipped only slightly on average. However, CRP levels fell more substantially among people who quit smoking, lost weight, or increased their physical activity levels. The results suggest that healthy lifestyle changes help to lower inflammation, which in turn may lower cardiovascular risk, according to the authors. Their study appeared in the May 2020 issue of the journal Atherosclerosis.

Research we're watching

Regular, moderate-to-vigorous exercise may help prevent atrial fibrillation (afib), according to a study in the May 2020 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

Previous studies looking at the connection between afib (which causes a rapid, irregular heart rate) and exercise have produced conflicting results. But those studies relied on participants to self-report their exercise habits. For the new study, the 5,147 participants wore devices that measured their activity levels for four to seven consecutive days.