27 August 2015
A more accurate version of a blood test used to detect muscle damage after a heart attack can identify patients who are at risk of high blood pressure in the future. The upgraded version of the test is already widely in use across Europe.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that people with slightly higher levels of cardiac troponin T than is considered normal are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure over the coming years. They were also more likely to be diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the lower left chamber of the heart that is associated with high blood pressure.
The complications of high blood pressure can be fatal, such as strokes and heart attacks. The World Health Organisation has estimated that nine million people die from these secondary problems every year.
Lead researcher Bill McEvoy said: “Identifying those at risk for hypertension as well as those in the earliest stages of the disease would allow us to intervene much sooner, either with lifestyle changes or medication, before the condition develops fully and has had a chance to damage organs.”
Posted by Jeanette Royston
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