Even Slightly Elevated Blood Pressure Early in Pregnancy a Bad Sign

THURSDAY, June 27, 2019 -- Even a small increase in blood pressure during your first trimester could spell bigger trouble later in your pregnancy, new research suggests.

Those troubles can include gestational high blood pressure, which develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, and preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine), the researchers explained.

AHA News: Genetics May Help Predict the Right Blood Pressure Drug for You

TUESDAY, June 25, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Medication can play a huge role in reducing high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke, heart attack and other serious health problems. Yet given the wide selection of drugs for doctors to choose from, figuring out which drug works best for someone is difficult.

But researchers may have found a better way to predict the effectiveness and side effects of blood pressure drugs, and it doesn't involve taking a single pill. Instead, it relies on genetics.

Exercising When You Have High Blood Pressure

FRIDAY, July 5, 2019 -- High blood pressure is a serious risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other life-threatening medical conditions. While many people need medication and dietary changes to control their blood pressure, exercise is a key component of nearly every management plan.

Scientists know that exercise causes the body to adapt in ways that lower blood pressure, but there's no single formula guaranteed to work for everyone. However, there are general guidelines regarding four key aspects of exercise.

High Blood Pressure at Doctor's Office May Be More Dangerous Than Suspected

MONDAY, June 10, 2019 -- If you dread seeing the doctor and your blood pressure reading always seems to be high at the doctor's office, a new review says you should take those elevated readings seriously.

The problem is called white-coat hypertension (because of doctors' traditional white coats) and it may signal an underlying problem.

AHA News: Many With High Blood Pressure Aren't Worried. Should They Be?

FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because there are no obvious warning signs.

That might explain why nearly half of people diagnosed with it aren't worried about having a heart attack or stroke, according to a new survey. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, greatly increases the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

Vaping May Exact a Toll on Blood Vessel Health

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019 -- In yet another sign that electronic cigarettes are far from harmless, a new lab study suggests that vaping damages the cells that line the inside walls of blood vessels and could hasten heart trouble.

Lab-grown endothelial cells were more likely to die off or suffer from impaired function when exposed to e-cigarette vapor, the researchers reported.