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A Oberman

Publications and source records attributed to A Oberman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study in Minority Populations: changes in dietary intakes.

This randomized clinical trial examined the feasibility of low-fat dietary interventions among postmenopausal women of diverse backgrounds. During 1992-1994, 2,208 women aged 50-79 years, 28% of whom were black and 16% Hispanic, enrolled at clinics in Atlanta, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, and Miami, Florida. Intervention/support groups met periodically with a nutritionist to reduce fat intake to 20% of energy and to make other diet modifications. At 6 months postrandomization, the intervention group reduced fat intake from 39.7% of energy at baseline to 26.4%, a reduction of 13.3% of energy, compared with 2.3% among controls. Saturated fatty acid and cholesterol intakes were reduced, but intakes of fruits and vegetables, but not grain products, increased. Similar effects were observed at 12 and 18 months. Black and non-Hispanic white women had similar levels of reduction in fat, but the decrease in Hispanic women was less. Changes did not vary significantly by education. While bias in self-reported intakes may have resulted in somewhat overestimated changes in fat intake, the reported reduction was similar to the approximately 10% of energy decrease found in most trials and suggests that large changes in fat consumption can be attained in diverse study populations and in many subgroups.

Aged↗

Nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors.

A number of newer, "nontraditional" cardiovascular risk factors have been identified based on recent studies of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and atherothrombotic cardiovascular events. These include chronic inflammation and its markers, such as C-reactive protein; homocysteine; oxidative stress or endothelial dysfunction; lipoprotein Lp (a); psychosocial factors, such as environmental stress and responsiveness to stress; plasma insulin levels and markers of insulin resistance; and activation of the renin-angiotensin system, which is in part a function of polymorphisms in genes for components of the system, such as angiotensinogen and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. The strength of the associations of the newer risk factors with cardiovascular therapy are currently being tested. This review will briefly discuss evidence that these risk factors are related to cardiovascular disease.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

Heart rate and subsequent blood pressure in young adults: the CARDIA study.

The objective of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that baseline heart rate (HR) predicts subsequent blood pressure (BP) independently of baseline BP. In the multicenter longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study of black and white men and women initially aged 18 to 30 years, we studied 4762 participants who were not current users of antihypertensive drugs and had no history of heart problems at the baseline examination (1985-1986). In each race-sex subgroup, we estimated the effect of baseline HR on BP 2, 5, 7, and 10 years later by use of repeated measures regression analysis, adjusting for baseline BP, age, education, body fatness, physical fitness, fasting insulin, parental hypertension, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and change of body mass index from baseline. The association between baseline HR and subsequent systolic BP (SBP) was explained by multivariable adjustment. However, HR was an independent predictor of subsequent diastolic BP (DBP) regardless of initial BP and other confounders in white men, white women, and black men (0.7 mm Hg increase per 10 bpm). We incorporated the part of the association that was already present at baseline by not adjusting for baseline DBP: the mean increase in subsequent DBP was 1.3 mm Hg per 10 bpm in white men, white women, and black men. A high HR may be considered a risk factor for subsequent high DBP in young persons.

Adolescent↗

Influence of long-term, low-dose, diuretic-based, antihypertensive therapy on glucose, lipid, uric acid, and potassium levels in older men and women with isolated systolic hypertension: The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program. SHEP Cooperative Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies often of short duration have raised concerns that antihypertensive therapy with diuretics and beta-blockers adversely alters levels of other cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS: The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program was a community-based, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in men and women aged 60 years and older. This retrospective analysis evaluated development of diabetes mellitus in all 4736 participants in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, including changes in serum chemistry test results in a subgroup for 3 years. Patients were randomized to receive placebo or treatment with active drugs, with the dose increased in stepwise fashion if blood pressure control goals were not attained: step 1, 12.5 mg of chlorthalidone or 25.0 mg of chlorthalidone; and step 2, the addition of 25 mg of atenolol or 50 mg of atenolol or reserpine or matching placebo. RESULTS: After 3 years, the active treatment group had a 13/4 mm Hg greater reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than the placebo group (both groups, P<.001). New cases of diabetes were reported by 8.6% of the participants in the active treatment group and 7.5% of the participants in the placebo group (P=.25). Small effects of active treatment compared with placebo were observed with fasting levels of glucose (+0.20 mmol/L [+3.6 mg/dL]; P<.01), total cholesterol (+0.09 mmol/L [+3.5 mg/dL]; P<.01), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.02 mmol/L [-0.77 mg/dL]; P<.01) and creatinine (+2.8 micromol/L [+0.03 mg/dL]; P<.001). Larger effects were seen with fasting levels of triglycerides (+0.9 mmol/L [+17 mg/dL]; P<.001), uric acid (+35 micromol/L [+.06 mg/dL]; P<.001), and potassium (-0.3 mmol/L; P<.001). No evidence was found for a subgroup at higher risk of risk factor changes with active treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive therapy with low-dose chlorthalidone (supplemented if necessary) for isolated systolic hypertension lowers blood pressure and its cardiovascular disease complications and has relatively mild effects on other cardiovascular disease risk factor levels.

Aged↗

Angiotensinogen genotype, sodium reduction, weight loss, and prevention of hypertension: trials of hypertension prevention, phase II.

The angiotensinogen gene has been linked to essential hypertension and increased blood pressure. A functional variant believed to be responsible for hypertension susceptibility occurs at position -6 in the promoter region of the gene in which an A for G base pair substitution is associated with higher angiotensinogen levels. To test whether an allele within the angiotensinogen gene is related to subsequent incidence of hypertension and blood pressure response to sustained sodium reduction, 1509 white male and female subjects participating in phase II of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention were genotyped at the angiotensinogen locus. Participants had diastolic blood pressures between 83 and 89 mm Hg and were randomized in a 2x2 factorial design to sodium reduction, weight loss, combined intervention, or usual care groups. Persons in the usual care group with the AA genotype at nucleotide position -6 had a higher 3-year incidence rate of hypertension (44.6%) compared with those with the GG genotype (31.5%), with a relative risk of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [0.87, 2.34], test for trend across all 3 genotypes, P=0.10). In contrast, the incidence of hypertension was significantly lower after sodium reduction for persons with the AA genotype (relative risk=0.57 [0.34, 0.98] versus usual care) but not for persons with the GG genotype (relative risk=1.2 [0.79, 1.81], test for trend P=0.02). Decreases of diastolic blood pressure at 36 months in the sodium reduction group versus usual care showed a significant trend across all 3 genotypes (P=0.01), with greater net blood pressure reduction in those with the AA genotype (-2.2 mm Hg) than those with the GG genotype (+1.1 mm Hg). A similar trend across the 3 genotypes for net systolic blood pressure reduction (-2.7 for AA versus -0.2 mm Hg for GG) was not significant (P=0.17). Trends across genotypes for the effects of weight loss on hypertension incidence and decreases in blood pressure were similar to those for sodium reduction. We conclude that the angiotensinogen genotype may affect blood pressure response to sodium or weight reduction and the development of hypertension.

Adult↗

Associations of race/ethnicity, education, and dietary intervention with the validity and reliability of a food frequency questionnaire: the Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study in Minority Populations.

This report describes the associations of race/ethnicity and years of education with the validity, reliability, and bias of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed to be sensitive to low-fat, regional, and ethnic dietary patterns. Data were from the Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study in Minority Populations, a randomized clinical trial conducted between 1992 and 1994 to test the feasibility of a low-fat dietary intervention that targeted low-income, black, and Hispanic women. Of 1,015 participants eligible for these analyses, 28.1% were black, 16.2% were Hispanic, and 12.3% had not completed high school. The analyses focused on percentage of energy obtained from fat, and used 4-day food records as the criterion instrument. Validity at baseline, defined as the correlation between FFQs and food records, was lower among blacks than among whites (0.26 vs. 0.49; p < 0.001), did not differ between Hispanics and whites, and was lower among women with fewer years of education (0.19, 0.35, 0.49, and 0.42 for <12, 12, 13-15, and > or =16 years of education, respectively; for trend, p < 0.05). Six months after randomization, validity increased in most race/ethnicity and education subgroups, and differences across groups became small and statistically nonsignificant. Validity increased significantly among participants receiving the dietary intervention, while increases among control women were somewhat smaller. Reliability, defined as the correlation between baseline and 6-month measures among controls, was similar across racial/ethnic and educational groups. Bias at baseline, defined as the mean value from the FFQ minus the mean from the food record, was 4.6 percentage points of energy from fat; it was lowest among blacks (p < 0.01) and did not differ by years of education. These results suggest that special protocols which address participant training may be necessary when using self-administered FFQs in minority or poorly educated populations.

Aged↗

Lack of relations of hostility, negative affect, and high-risk behavior with low plasma lipid levels in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that low plasma cholesterol levels or cholesterol lowering may increase the risk of suicide and violent death. Increased aggression, risk-taking behavior, or depression has been associated with low cholesterol levels in some studies. METHODS: A total of 4240 subjects of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, aged 23 to 35 years, were included in the study. Analyses were stratified by race (black or white) and sex. Persons in the lowest 10% of plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were compared with the other participants in each race/sex group, using standardized measures of hostility, anger suppression, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. The relations between 5-year change in hostility and 5-year change in lipid levels also were examined. The relations between lipid levels and high-risk behavior (e.g., violent arguments or having a gun at home) were examined in a subset of subjects. All analyses were adjusted for relevant covariates. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, low total cholesterol levels were not related to any of the psychological measures in any race/sex group. Among black women only, low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was related to greater anxiety, and low triglycerides were related to lower anger suppression (P < or = .002). Among white men only, increases in hostility during the 5-year follow-up were related to increases in triglycerides (P < .01), but changes in hostility were unrelated to changes in cholesterol levels. Among a subset of 371 subjects with initially elevated total cholesterol (> or = 5.17 mmol/L [> or = 200 mg/dL]) and a non-medicated decrease of 0.52 mmol/L (> or = 20 mg/dL) or more during 5 years, hostility decreased in a univariate analysis (P < .001). High-risk behaviors also were not associated with low lipid levels. CONCLUSION: The results do not support a consistent relation between hostility, negative affect, or high-risk behaviors with low lipid levels or lipid-lowering among young adults.

Adolescent↗

Regional disparities in the incidence of elevated blood pressure among young adults: the CARDIA study.

BACKGROUND: Within the United States, little is known about regional disparities in blood pressure (BP), their changes over time, or explanations for their existence. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population-based cohort of 5115 black and white men and women, 18 to 30 years old in 1985-1986 (balanced on age, race, sex, and education), was followed up for 7 years in four centers: Birmingham, Ala; Chicago, Ill; Minneapolis, Minn; and Oakland, Calif. Differences in elevated BP (EBP) prevalence among centers at years 0, 2, 5, and 7 and in 7-year incidence of EBP were assessed. Sociodemographic and dietary variables, physical activity, weight, smoking, and alcohol were considered. At year 0, no regional differences were seen. Seven years later, there was marked variability in prevalence of EBP overall and for both black and white men, from a low in Chicago (9% for black men and 5% for white men) to a high in Birmingham (25% for black men and 14% for white men). Birmingham also had the highest 7-year incidence (11%) and overall prevalence at year 7 (14%). The adjusted odds ratios, with Birmingham as referent (95% CIs), for 7-year incidence of EBP overall were 0.38 (0.24, 0.60) for Chicago, 0.37 (0.24, 0.57) for Minneapolis, and 0.74 (0.52, 1.07) for Oakland. CONCLUSIONS: Regional disparities are absent at baseline but become apparent as the cohort ages. These differences are not fully explained by the available behavioral and sociodemographic characteristics.

Adolescent↗

Effect of diuretic-based antihypertensive treatment on cardiovascular disease risk in older diabetic patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program Cooperative Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of low-dose, diuretic-based antihypertensive treatment on major cardiovascular disease (CVD) event rates in older, non-insulin-treated diabetic patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), compared with nondiabetic patients. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial: the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP). SETTING: Multiple clinical and support centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4736 men and women aged 60 years and older at baseline with ISH (systolic blood pressure [BP], > or = 160 mm Hg; diastolic BP, <90 mm Hg) at baseline, 583 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 4149 nondiabetic patients (4 additional patients not so classifiable were randomized but not included in these analyses). Diabetes mellitus defined as physician diagnosis, taking oral hypoglycemic drugs, fasting glucose level of 7.8 mmol/L or more (> or = 140 mg/dL), or any combination of these characteristics. INTERVENTION: The active treatment group received a low dose of chlorthalidone (12.5-25.0 mg/d) with a step-up to atenolol (25.0-50.0 mg/d) or reserpine (0.05-0.10 mg/d) if needed. The placebo group received placebo and any active antihypertensive drugs prescribed by patient's private physician for persistently high BP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 5-year rates of major CVD events, nonfatal plus fatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), major CHD events, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The SHEP antihypertensive drug regimen lowered BP of both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, with few adverse effects. For both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, all outcome rates were lower for participants randomized to the active treatment group than for those randomized to the placebo group. Thus, 5-year major CVD rate was lower by 34% for active treatment compared with placebo, both for diabetic patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 6%-54%) and nondiabetic patients (95% CI, 21%-45%). Absolute risk reduction with active treatment compared with placebo was twice as great for diabetic vs nondiabetic patients (101/1000 vs 51/1000 randomized participants at the 5-year follow-up), reflecting the higher risk of diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: Low-dose diuretic-based (chlorthalidone) treatment is effective in preventing major CVD events, cerebral and cardiac, in both non-insulin-treated diabetic and nondiabetic older patients with ISH.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Prevalence and identification of abnormal lipoprotein levels in a biracial population aged 23 to 35 years (the CARDIA Study). The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

This study examines the prevalence of abnormal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in young adults to determine the ability of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) guidelines to identify persons with elevated LDL cholesterol, to compare other algorithms with those of the ATP, and to determine the contributions of race, gender, and other coronary artery disease risk factors to identifying patients with elevated LDL and low HDL cholesterol. The cohort was population-based, aged 23 to 35 years, and included relatively equal numbers of blacks and whites, and men and women. The prevalence of LDL cholesterol > or = 160 mg/dl (> 4.1 mmol/L) was 5% in black women, 4% in white women, 10% in black men, and 9% in white men. ATP identified most participants with elevated LDL cholesterol (range: 58.8% of white men to 70.7% of black women). Lipoprotein panels would have been required in 6% to 7% of women and to 15% to 18% of men. Algorithms that used nonlipid risk factors required more lipoprotein panels and identified fewer additional participants at risk. The prevalence of HDL cholesterol < 35 mg/dl (0.9 mmol/L) was 3% in women, 7% in black men, and 13% in white men. Algorithms that used nonlipid risk factors before measuring HDL cholesterol would require HDL cholesterol measurements in 35% of whites and 56% of blacks, but reduced sensitivity for identifying low HDL cholesterol (range: 58% in white men to 93% in black women). In young adults, algorithms based on nonlipid risk factors and family history have lower sensitivity, and increase rather than decrease the number of fasting lipoprotein panels required when compared with ATP levels.

Adult↗

The Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study in Minority Populations: design and baseline descriptions.

The Women's Health Trial: Feasibility Study in Minority Populations (WHT:FSMP), a randomized trial of 2208 women, was conducted to investigate three questions. First, can women from minority and low-socioeconomic-status populations be recruited in numbers sufficient to evaluate a dietary intervention designed to lower fat intake. Second, the efficacy of a low fat, increased fruit/vegetable/ grain product intervention for reducing fat consumption. Third, will participation in the intervention lower plasma cholesterol and estradiol levels relative to the controls. The baseline results showed that an adequate number of minority and low SES women could be recruited to test the study hypotheses. A diverse study population of postmenopausal women consuming a high fat diet was recruited: 28% of participants were Black, 16% were Hispanic, 11% had less than a high school level of education, and 15.5% had household incomes of < $15,000.

Aged↗

Adherence in the training levels comparison trial.

In the Training Levels Comparison Trial, 197 male coronary heart disease patients were randomized to low or high intensity training with target heart rates, which corresponded to 50% and 85% of the VO2max achieved on the previous exercise test, respectively. Patients were to exercise at their assigned intensity level at three 1-h long supervised sessions per week for 2 yr. This paper reports on two components of adherence: attendance at exercise sessions and achievement of heart rates in the target range. During the first year of training, the average percent of exercise sessions attended (mean +/- SE) for the low intensity group (64.0 +/- 2.5%) was significantly higher than for the high intensity group (55.5% +/- 2.7%). At the end of 1 yr of training, 54% and 37% of the low and high intensity patients, respectively, achieved heart rates within 5 beats.min-1 of their target heart rates. Although the low intensity program was preferable to achieve maximum attendance, attenders on the high intensity program achieved higher heart rates. These results suggest that to maximize the achieved heart rate, it would be optimal to motivate a cardiac rehabilitation patient to train at the high intensity level for a prolonged period of time.

Adult↗

Efficacy of high-intensity exercise training on left ventricular ejection fraction in men with coronary artery disease (the Training Level Comparison Study).

The purpose of this study was to compare high- versus low-intensity exercise training on the change in echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from rest to peak exercise. Sedentary men with coronary artery disease, aged 30 to 70 years, were randomized to dynamic exercise training of either low intensity, 50% of maximal oxygen consumption, n = 89; or high intensity, 85% of maximal oxygen consumption, n = 111. No other interventions were imposed and patients were evaluated at 6 months and 1 year. Both exercise groups significantly increased exercise capacity without adverse events, but the increase was greater (p = 0.02) in the high-intensity exercise group. The mean exercise test rest-peak LVEF in the high-intensity group rose from 6.20% at baseline to 6.54% in 6 months and to 6.73% at 12 months, while the low-intensity group showed no improvement at 6 months and a decrease at 12 months. Multivariate analyses revealed that treatment group (high versus low intensity) significantly contributed to the change in rest-peak LVEF. When the exercise groups were subdivided by initial baseline LVEF < or = 50% versus > 50%, those with the higher LVEF in the high-intensity group showed a greater (p = 0.05) increase in the rest-peak LVEF from baseline to 1 year. Over a 1-year period, exercise capacity improved in both exercise-intensity groups, but more so in the high-intensity group, with no adverse events. The high-intensity group, compared with the low-intensity, showed more improvement in the rest-peak LVEF, especially in those with a higher LVEF at baseline.

Adult↗

Design of a multicenter trial to evaluate long-term life-style intervention in adults with high-normal blood pressure levels. Trials of Hypertension Prevention (phase II). Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP) Collaborative Research Group.

Phase II of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP) is a multicenter, randomized trial sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute designed to test whether weight loss alone, sodium reduction alone, or the combination of weight loss and sodium reduction will decrease diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) as well as the incidence of hypertension (DBP > or = 90 mm Hg, SBP > or = 140 mm Hg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications) in subjects with high-normal DBP (83 to 89 mm Hg) and SBP less than 140 mm Hg at entry. These interventions were chosen for longer-term testing with end points including hypertension prevention as well as blood pressure (BP) change based on their demonstrated short-term efficacy in reducing BP in phase I of TOHP. The phase II study population is comprised of 2382 participants (1566 men and 816 women) who are 110 to 165% of desirable body weight, allocated at random to the four treatment arms using a 2 x 2 factorial design. The trial has 80% power to detect an overall treatment effect on DBP of 1.2 mm Hg for weight loss or sodium reduction and a difference of 1.6 mm Hg between the combined intervention and placebo groups. BP observers are blinded to participant treatment assignments. Participants will be followed for 3 to 4 years. This trial may have important public policy implications concerning the ability of life-style modifications to reduce BP and prevent the development of hypertension over the long term, thereby avoiding the need for drug therapy which while effective is costly and may have side effects.

Adult↗

Prevention of cardiovascular disease--opportunities for progress.

Steady progress has been made in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. There has been a favorable trend in major risk factor reduction and an average 3% annual decline in cardiovascular disease death rates over the past decade. Yet, CVD death rates still exceed that for many countries and not all segments of the U.S. population have benefited equally. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in this country. The role of epidemiologic research and prevention strategies in addressing this issue has been underestimated. Unresolved research questions require further epidemiologic research in order to improve application of known preventive measures and explore other approaches toward the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is well established that attention to life-style changes and pharmacologic approaches can prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and reduce the likelihood of subsequent cardiac events among patients with known cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, small changes in the distribution of risk factors through community intervention can have tremendous impact on cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Preventive research requires an appropriate framework and plan to satisfy or exceed the needs in keeping with the national goals for Healthy People 2000. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has addressed this issue by creating a Task Force to develop research priorities for epidemiology and prevention.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Design of the training levels comparison trial.

The Training Levels Comparison (TLC) trial was a grant-supported, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial designed to determine whether cardiac rehabilitation patients would benefit from supervised exercise for a prolonged period (2 years) and whether subjecting patients to a more vigorous exercise program than currently recommended would provide additional cardiac benefit. If high-intensity exercise does not enhance the cardiac benefit, then physical activity should be limited to low-intensity levels that are safer, easier to implement and more adaptable to a greater number of patients. Patients were randomly assigned to either a low-intensity or high-intensity training program. All patients were to attend three 1-hour supervised exercise sessions per week for a period of 2 years. Attendance at exercise sessions and adherence to assigned treatments were monitored throughout the study. Patients were evaluated for outcome measures at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. This paper reports the study design and methodology for the TLC trial, and should be useful in providing methodologies to facilitate comparison of data from other studies with different levels of exercise as an intervention.

Adult↗

Lack of effectiveness of a low-sodium/high-potassium diet in reducing antihypertensive medication requirements in overweight persons with mild hypertension. TAIM Research Group. Trial of Antihypertensive Interventions and Management.

The Trial of Antihypertensive Interventions and Management (TAIM) was a multicenter randomized drug (double-blind, placebo-controlled)-diet trial. One objective of TAIM was to assess the long-term ability of a low-sodium/high-potassium (Na+ decreases/K+ increases) diet to maintain blood pressure control in persons at 110% to 160% ideal weight with diastolic blood pressure from 90 to 100 mm Hg who were on no drugs or on low-dose monotherapy. Participants, 56% men and 33% black, were randomized to usual diet (n = 296) or to Na+ decreases/K+ increases diet (n = 291) and within each diet group to placebo, 25 mg/day chlorthalidone, or 50 mg/day atenolol. Treatment failure was defined as lack of blood pressure control requiring additional drugs according to specified criteria. At baseline, the mean value for age was 48 years; blood pressure, 143/93 mm Hg; weight, 88 kg; and 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion rates, 133 and 57 mmol/day, respectively. At 3 years, the net difference in 24-h urinary sodium/potassium excretion rates between the Na+ decreases/K+ increases and the usual diet groups was -30 and +11 mmol/L/day. The relative risk of treatment failure for Na+ decreases/K+ increases compared to usual diet by proportional hazards regression was 0.95 (P = .71). This study provides no support for the sole use of a low-sodium/high-potassium diet as a practical therapeutic strategy in maintaining blood pressure control in the moderately obese.

Adult↗

Exercise blood pressure response and 5-year risk of elevated blood pressure in a cohort of young adults: the CARDIA study.

Systolic blood pressure response to exercise has been shown to predict development of hypertension in men, but this association has not been examined in population-based samples of men, or in women or non-whites. This relationship was explored in 3741 normotensive black and white young adults undergoing treadmill testing in the CARDIA study and examined 5 years later for development of hypertension. Exaggerated response to exercise (systolic pressure > or = 210 mm Hg in men and > or = 190 mm Hg in women) was detected in 687 subjects (18%) at baseline, and incident hypertension (blood pressure > or = 140/90 mm Hg or on medication) was detected in 184 subjects (4.9%) at followup. Persons with exaggerated response to exercise at baseline had 5 mm Hg higher systolic and 1 mm Hg higher diastolic pressures at follow-up (P < .005) and were 1.70 times more likely to have developed hypertension than were persons with normal response (P < .001). After adjustment for age, race, sex, clinic, resting systolic pressure, body mass index, heavy activity score, exercise duration, and preexercise systolic pressure, exaggerated response was associated with a 2.14 mm Hg increase in year 5 systolic pressure (P < .0001). These associations did not differ by race or sex. Although the increment in systolic pressure associated with exaggerated exercise response was small (1 to 3 mm Hg), this small increment sustained over time could lead to a substantially increased incidence of hypertension and hypertension-related target organ damage. Determination of factors associated with exaggerated response may provide further insights into the development of hypertension in young adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗