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Aims Few studies have examined the relationship of blood pressure (BP) change in adults with elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension according to the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guideline with cardiovascular outcomes. We sought to identify the effect of BP change among individuals with elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension on incident heart failure (HF) and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Methods and results We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 616 483 individuals (median age 46 years, 73.7% men) with elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension based on the ACC/AHA BP guideline. Participants were categorized using BP classification at one-year as normal BP (n = 173 558), elevated BP/stage 1 hypertension (n = 367 454), or stage 2 hypertension (n = 75 471). The primary outcome was HF, and the secondary outcomes included (separately) myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris (AP), and stroke. Over a mean follow-up of 1097 ± 908 days, 10 544 HFs, 1317 MIs, 11 070 APs, and 5198 strokes were recorded. Compared with elevated BP/stage 1 hypertension at one-year, normal BP at one-year was associated with a lower risk of developing HF [hazard ratio (HR): 0.89, 95% CI:0.85–0.94], whereas stage 2 hypertension at one-year was associated with an elevated risk of developing HF (HR:1.43, 95% CI:1.36–1.51). This association was also present in other cardiovascular outcomes including MI, AP, and stroke. The relationship was consistent in all subgroups stratified by age, sex, baseline BP category, and overweight/obesity. Conclusion A one-year decline in BP was associated with the lower risk of HF, MI, AP, and stroke, suggesting the importance of lowering BP in individuals with elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension according to the ACC/AHA guideline to prevent the risk of developing CVD.

BACKGROUND Results of preceding studies on the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and cancers have been confounded due to individuals taking antihypertensive medications or shared risk factors. We assessed whether medication-naïve high BP is a risk factor for incident cancers. METHODS This retrospective observational study included 1,388,331 individuals without a prior history of cancer and not taking antihypertensive medications enrolled in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2018. The primary outcome was 16 cancers. RESULTS The median [interquartile range] age was 45 [40–52] years and 56.2% were men. Mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were 117.7 ± 15.8 and 72.8 ± 11.6 mm Hg. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that SBP per 1-SD was associated with a higher incidence of thyroid (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.16), esophageal (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07–1.24), colorectal (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07), liver (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03–1.20), and kidney (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14–1.31) cancers, but with a lower incidence of stomach cancer (HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.98). These associations remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing. DBP was associated with higher incidences of thyroid, esophageal, colorectal, kidney, and corpus uteri cancers, but with a lower incidence of stomach cancer. The associations between SBP and incidences of thyroid, esophageal, colorectal, liver, and kidney cancers were confirmed in the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. CONCLUSIONS Medication-naïve BP was associated with higher incidences of thyroid, esophageal, colorectal, liver, and kidney cancers. Uncovering the underlying mechanisms for our results may help identify novel therapeutic approach for hypertension and cancer.

ObjectiveTo explore trends in blood pressure (BP) control before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients and methodsHealth systems participating in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Blood Pressure Control Laboratory Surveillance System responded to data queries, producing 9 BP control metrics. Averages of the BP control metrics (weighted by numbers of observations in each health system) were calculated and compared between two 1-year measurement periods (January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020).ResultsAmong 1,770,547 hypertensive persons in 2019, BP control to

Background: The association between variability in body mass index (BMI) in early adulthood and cardiac structure and function in midlife has not been previously examined. Methods: We examined 2371 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) participants who had BMI assessments across 25-years (CARDIA exam year 0 [1985-1986], 2 [1987-1989], 5 [1990-1991], 7 [1992-1993], 10 [1995-1996], 15 [2000-2001], 20 [2005-2006], and 25 [2010-2011]) as well as echocardiography data at the year-25 exam (2010-2011). BMI variability was assessed by standard deviation (SD) across 25 years. Adjusted multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the association between echocardiography variables (dependent variable) and SD of BMI (independent variable). Model 1 was adjusted for standard cardiac risk factors (age, sex, race, education, blood pressure, anti-hypertension medication use, smoking, fasting plasma glucose, alcohol consumption, physical activity, HDL and total cholesterol. Model 2 was additionally adjusted for mean BMI. Results: Among participants included in the analysis, mean [SD] age at the year 25 exam [2010-2011] was 50.4 [3.6] years; 44.5% were men; and 41.3% were black). In model 1, greater SD of BMI was associated with greater left ventricular mass (β 5.18g, p.05 for all). Greater SD of BMI was associated with worse diastolic function (E/é) (β 0.11, p Conclusions: Greater body weight variability in young adulthood was associated with modest unfavorable midlife alterations in diastolic function.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced not only rapid changes in how clinical care and educational programs are delivered but also challenged academic medical centers (AMCs) like never before. The pandemic made clear the need to have coordinated action based on shared data and shared resources to meet the needs of patients, learners, and communities. Family medicine departments across the country have been key partners in AMCs' responses. The Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (FMCH) was involved in many aspects of Duke University's and Health System's responses, including leadership contributions in delivering employee health and student health services. The pandemic also surfaced the biological and social interactions that reveal underlying socioeconomic inequalities, for which family medicine has advocated since its inception. Key to success was the department's ability to integrate "horizontally" with the broader community, thereby accelerating the institution's response to the pandemic.

A detailed history and physical examination can distinguish between key features of a benign primary headache and concerning symptoms that warrant further evaluation for a secondary headache. Most headaches that are diagnosed in the primary care setting are benign. Among primary headache disorders, tension-type headache is the most common, although a migraine headache is more debilitating and likely to present in the primary care setting. Signs such as predictable timing, sensitivity to smells or sounds, family history of migraine, recurrent sinus headache, or recurrent severe headaches with a normal neurologic examination could indicate migraine headache. Evaluating acute headaches using a systematic framework such as the SNNOOP10 mnemonic can help detect life-threatening secondary causes of headaches. Red flag signs or symptoms such as acute thunderclap headache, fever, meningeal irritation on physical examination, papilledema with focal neurologic signs, impaired consciousness, and concern for acute glaucoma warrant immediate evaluation. For emergent evaluations, noncontrast computed tomography of the head is recommended to exclude acute intracranial hemorrhage or mass effect. A lumbar puncture is also needed to rule out subarachnoid hemorrhage if the scan result is normal. For less urgent cases, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is preferred for evaluating headaches with concerning features. Primary headache disorders without red flags or abnormal examination findings do not need neuroimaging.

The fact that up to one-third of the 800,000 yearly cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in the United States may be preventable by diet and physical activity makes a compelling case for lifestyle interventions as a primary prevention strategy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends offering or referring adults with CVD risk factors to behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthy diet and physical activity. Although few US adults have ideal cardiovascular health, there exists a dose-response relationship whereby an increasing number of ideal cardiovascular health metrics is associated with lower CVD and all-cause mortality. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet have proven benefits in reducing CVD. Among individuals without CVD, high levels of physical activity are associated with an approximately 32% reduced risk of CVD death, and moderate levels are associated with approximately a 22% reduction. Resistance exercises confer additional benefits.

As part of the approach to primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), adults should have their CVD risk estimated using a population-appropriate risk equation. In the United States, the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) pooled cohort equations are recommended by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) to estimate risk in patients ages 40 to 79 years. A 10-year ASCVD risk estimate of 20% or higher is considered high, and patients having this level of risk should be offered and counseled to receive statin therapy. A 10-year risk estimate of 7.5% to less than 20% is considered intermediate, and clinicians should discuss the potential benefits of statin therapy for primary prevention in the context of the patient's preferences and values. In some situations, use of CVD risk enhancers, particularly coronary artery calcium assessed by computed tomography, may help inform the clinician-patient discussion. All patients should be counseled about healthy lifestyle modifications to reduce CVD risk. The AHA's Life's Simple 7 defines ideal cardiovascular health as no tobacco use; ideal blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels; adequate physical activity; weight management; and healthy diet. An 8th component (sleep) was very recently added and 4 of the original components have been updated. These metrics provide goals that can drive efforts toward primordial prevention (ie, keeping risk factors themselves from developing).

Several drugs have shown benefits in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aspirin should be used routinely for the secondary prevention of CVD. Low-dose aspirin should not be used for the primary prevention of CVD in adults ages 60 years and older. Aspirin can be considered for primary prevention in adults ages 40 to 59 years with a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk. Moderate- to high-intensity statin therapy should be prescribed for most patients with known atherosclerotic CVD, those with a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of 190 mg/dL or higher, and those ages 40 to 75 years with diabetes or with a 10-year risk of CVD of 7.5% or greater. Newer lipid-lowering drugs have shown benefits in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, but at high cost and with limited evidence of reduction of CVD outcomes. Polypills provide a method to deliver multiple proven drugs at lower cost and to a broader population. Sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should be added to metformin as the preferred second-line drug in the management of diabetes because of their proven ability to improve cardiovascular outcomes. No supplements have proven benefits in CVD prevention. Omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid have shown benefits when consumed in food.

Diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, and obesity each substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and must be controlled as part of CVD prevention. Among patients with diabetes, the reduction of CVD risk from lower A1c goals must be balanced against the risks of hypoglycemia. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1c goal for adults of less than 7% if hypoglycemia can be avoided. A less stringent goal of less than 8% is appropriate in patients with limited life expectancy. A blood pressure (BP) goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg is prudent for all adults younger than 60 years. A goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg also is advised for initiating or intensifying pharmacotherapy in adults 60 years and older with a history of stroke or who are at high cardiovascular risk. BP targets should be individualized to balance the known benefits of lowering BP to 120/80 mm Hg with the risks of morbidity because of hypotension and adverse effects. Varenicline is the most effective drug for smoking cessation, and abstinence rates are increased by combining it with nicotine replacement therapy. Bariatric surgery is the most effective management for long-term weight loss and reduction of obesity-related comorbidities. Social drivers of health are the primary cause of CVD outcomes differences among races and ethnicities.

Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), defined as diastolic blood pressure in the hypertensive range but systolic blood pressure not in the hypertensive range, is not uncommon (

Compared with the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC7), the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) blood pressure (BP) guideline uses lower BP thresholds to define hypertension and BP control.We pooled data from five US-based studies to compare the association of masked hypertension (MHT) and masked uncontrolled hypertension, defined using the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline ( n = 1653 without high office BP;130/80 mmHg) versus the JNC7 guideline ( n = 2451 without high office BP;140/90 mmHg), with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). MHT and masked uncontrolled hypertension were defined using office BP and awake BP alone and awake, asleep, or 24-h BP. LVH was assessed by echocardiography.Among participants without high office BP not taking antihypertensive medication, the prevalence of MHT defined by the JNC7 guideline and the 2017 ACC/AHA BP guideline was 25.0 and 33.5% using awake BP only and 37.1 and 52.0% when using awake, asleep, or 24-h BP. The adjusted prevalence ratios for LVH associated with MHT versus sustained normotension defined by the JNC7 and 2017 ACC/AHA BP guidelines were 1.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-2.64] and 1.56 (95% CI: 0.97-2.51), respectively, when using awake BP only and 2.16 (95% CI: 1.36-3.44) and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.58-1.82), respectively, when using awake, asleep or 24-h BP. There was no evidence that masked uncontrolled hypertension was associated with LVH when defined using the BP thresholds in either the JNC7 or the 2017 ACC/AHA BP guideline.The association of MHT with LVH may depend on the BP thresholds used.

Recent evidence links long-term (visit-to-visit) blood pressure (BP) variability to the risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of mean BP levels. Potential associations between long-term BP variability and cardiovascular disease risk may be reflected in early life course alterations in coronary artery calcium (CAC) and carotid intima-media thickness. We evaluated 2482 CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) participants (mean [SD] age at the year 20 exam [2005–2006] was 45.4 [3.6] years, 43.2% men, and 41.3% black). We included participants with BP assessments across 20-years (year 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 exams) and carotid intima-media thickness and CAC data at the year 20 exam. BP variability was assessed using variability independent of the mean and SD. Adjusted multivariable linear or logistic regression models (as appropriate) were used to assess associations between long-term BP variability measures and carotid intima-media thickness. and CAC (ln [CAC+1] and prevalent CAC). Long-term systolic BP variability independent of the mean (per 1 SD) was positively associated with carotid intima-media thickness (β=10 μm, SE=3, P =0.002). Similarly, long-term diastolic BP variability independent of the mean was associated with carotid intima-media thickness (β=10 μm, SE (3), P =0.001). Long-term BP variability was not associated with either ln [CAC+1] or prevalent CAC. Long-term systolic and diastolic BP variability across early adulthood was positively associated with modest adverse midlife alterations in carotid intima-media thickness but not to CAC. Our findings provide further insights into pathophysiologic mechanisms that link long-term BP variability to cardiovascular disease.

Aim of the study Since over 80% of sudden cardiac arrests occur in the home, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for family members of high-risk cardiac patients represents a promising intervention. The use of mobile application-based (mApp) CPR training may facilitate this approach, but evidence regarding its efficacy is lacking. Methods We conducted a multicenter, pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial assessing CPR training for family members of cardiac patients. The interventions were mApp (video, no manikin) and VSI (video + manikin). CPR skills were evaluated 6-months post-training. We hypothesized that chest compression (CC) rate from training with an mApp would be no worse than 5 compressions per minute (CPM) lower compared to VSI. Results From 01/2016 to 01/2018, we enrolled 1325 eligible participants (mean age 51.6 years, 68.2% female and 59.4% white). CPR skills were evaluated 6-months post-training in 541 participants (275 VSI, 266 mApp). Mean rate was 84.6 CPM (95% CI: 80.4, 88.6) in VSI, compared to 82.7 CPM (95% CI: 76.2, 89.1) in the mApp, and mean depth was 42.1 mm (95% CI: 40.3, 43.8) in VSI, compared to 38.9 mm (95% CI: 36.2, 41.6) in the mApp. After adjustment, the mean difference in CC rate was −2.3 CPM (95% CI −9.4, 4.8, p = 0.25, non-inferiority) and CC depth was −3.2 mm (95% CI −5.9, 0.1, p = 0.056). Conclusion In this large prospective trial of CPR skill retention for family members of cardiac patients, mApp training was associated with lower CC quality. Future work is required to understand additional approaches to improve CPR skill retention. Clinical Trial Registration URL: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02548793 .

Background The prevalence of hypertension subtypes changes with age. However, little is known regarding the age‐dependent association of hypertension subtypes with incident heart failure (HF). Methods and Results We conducted an observational cohort study including 2 612 570 people (mean age, 44.0 years; 55.0% men). No participants were taking blood pressure–lowering medications or had a known history of cardiovascular disease. Participants were categorized as aged 20 to 49 years (n=1 825 756), 50 to 59 years (n=571 574), or 60 to 75 years (n=215 240). We defined stage 1 hypertension as systolic blood pressure (SBP) 130 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 80 to 89 mm Hg and stage 2 hypertension as SBP ≥140 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg. Among participants with stage 2 hypertension, isolated diastolic hypertension was defined as SBP Conclusions The contribution of isolated diastolic hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, and systolic diastolic hypertension to the development of HF and other cardiovascular disease events was attenuated with age, suggesting that preventive efforts for blood pressure control could provide a greater benefit in younger individuals.

Follow these strategies and tips for using home and 24-hour ambulatory measurements to more accurately assess a patient's blood pressure.

SARS-CoV-2 accesses host cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, which is also affected by commonly used angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), raising concerns that ACEI or ARB exposure may portend differential COVID-19 outcomes. In parallel cohort studies of outpatient and inpatient COVID-19-diagnosed adults with hypertension, we assessed associations between antihypertensive exposure (ACEI/ARB vs. non-ACEI/ARB antihypertensives, as well as between ACEI- vs. ARB) at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, using electronic health record data from PCORnet health systems. The primary outcomes were all-cause hospitalization or death (outpatient cohort) or all-cause death (inpatient), analyzed via Cox regression weighted by inverse probability of treatment weights. From February 2020 through December 9, 2020, 11,246 patients (3477 person-years) and 2200 patients (777 person-years) were included from 17 health systems in outpatient and inpatient cohorts, respectively. There were 1015 all-cause hospitalization or deaths in the outpatient cohort (incidence, 29.2 events per 100 person-years), with no significant difference by ACEI/ARB use (adjusted HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.88, 1.15). In the inpatient cohort, there were 218 all-cause deaths (incidence, 28.1 per 100 person-years) and ACEI/ARB exposure was associated with reduced death (adjusted HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57, 0.99). ACEI, versus ARB exposure, was associated with higher risk of hospitalization in the outpatient cohort, but no difference in all-cause death in either cohort. There was no evidence of effect modification across pre-specified baseline characteristics. Our results suggest ACEI and ARB exposure have no detrimental effect on hospitalizations and may reduce death among hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Hospitalists perform key roles as inpatient educators for family medicine residents. For the past decade, Duke University Family Medicine Residency Program had its inpatient family medicine resident rotation at non-Duke facilities.The authors describe the steps taken in 2020 to develop an inpatient Duke family medicine rotation at a North Carolina community hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and provide outcomes data.Duke Family Medicine Residency and Duke Regional Hospital Medicine collaborated in addressing key issues to develop an inpatient rotation for family medicine residents. Performance metrics of patients cared for by both the family medicine inpatient resident team and internal medicine teams were compared. Resident satisfaction survey results were reviewed.Retrospective cohort evaluation comparing the two inpatient services (internal medicine and family medicine) revealed the family medicine resident inpatient service performed comparatively in length of stay and 30-day readmission rates. Resident evaluation surveys of the family medicine inpatient rotation showed overall satisfaction with learning objectives.This new family medicine inpatient rotation has benefitted all parties. Key quality performance metrics such as LOS and readmissions are comparable to internal medicine, hospitalists have more teaching opportunities, and Duke family medicine has its residents training in a Duke-affiliated community hospital for their core inpatient rotation.

BACKGROUND Masked hypertension (nonhypertensive in the clinic setting but hypertensive outside the clinic during wakefulness) is characterized by increased blood pressure in response to physical and emotional stressors that activate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). However, no studies have assessed vascular reactivity to a pharmacological SNS challenge in individuals with masked hypertension. METHODS We analyzed data from 161 adults aged 25 to 45 years (mean ± standard deviation age 33 ± 6 years; 48% were African American and 43% were female). Participants completed ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and a standardized α 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine test that determines the dose of phenylephrine required to increase a participant’s mean arterial pressure by 25 mm Hg (PD25). RESULTS Twenty-one participants were considered to have masked hypertension (clinic systolic blood pressure (SBP) CONCLUSIONS Among young and middle-aged adults, masked hypertension is associated with increased vascular reactivity to a SNS challenge, which may contribute to elevated awake BPs as well as to increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Primary care teams provide the majority of poststroke care. When optimally configured, these teams provide patient-centered care to prevent recurrent stroke, maximize function, prevent late complications, and optimize quality of life. Patient-centered primary care after stroke begins with establishing the foundation for poststroke management while engaging caregivers and family members in support of the patient. Screening for complications (eg, depression, cognitive impairment, and fall risk) and unmet needs is both a short-term and long-term component of poststroke care. Patients with ongoing functional impairments may benefit from referral to appropriate services. Ongoing care consists of managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, carotid stenosis, and dyslipidemia. Recommendations to reduce risk of recurrent stroke also include lifestyle modifications such as healthy diet and exercise. At the system level, primary care practices can use quality improvement strategies and available resources to enhance the delivery of evidence-based care and optimize outcomes.

Importance Office blood pressure (BP) measurements are not the most accurate method to diagnose hypertension. Home BP monitoring (HBPM) and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) are out-of-office alternatives, and ABPM is considered the reference standard for BP assessment. Objective To systematically review the accuracy of oscillometric office and home BP measurement methods for correctly classifying adults as having hypertension, defined using ABPM. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and DARE databases and the American Heart Association website (from inception to April 2021) were searched, along with reference lists from retrieved articles. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two authors independently abstracted raw data and assessed methodological quality. A third author resolved disputes as needed. Main Outcomes and Measures Random effects summary sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated for BP measurement methods for the diagnosis of hypertension. ABPM (24-hour mean BP ≥130/80 mm Hg or mean BP while awake ≥135/85 mm Hg) was considered the reference standard. Results A total of 12 cross-sectional studies (n = 6877) that compared conventional oscillometric office BP measurements to mean BP during 24-hour ABPM and 6 studies (n = 2049) that compared mean BP on HBPM to mean BP during 24-hour ABPM were included (range, 117-2209 participants per analysis); 2 of these studies (n = 3040) used consecutive samples. The overall prevalence of hypertension identified by 24-hour ABPM was 49% (95% CI, 39%-60%) in the pooled studies that evaluated office measures and 54% (95% CI, 39%-69%) in studies that evaluated HBPM. All included studies assessed sensitivity and specificity at the office BP threshold of 140/90 mm Hg and the home BP threshold of 135/85 mm Hg. Conventional office oscillometric measurement (1-5 measurements in a single visit with BP ≥140/90 mm Hg) had a sensitivity of 51% (95% CI, 36%-67%), specificity of 88% (95% CI, 80%-96%), positive LR of 4.2 (95% CI, 2.5-6.0), and negative LR of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.42-0.69). Mean BP with HBPM (with BP ≥135/85 mm Hg) had a sensitivity of 75% (95% CI, 65%-86%), specificity of 76% (95% CI, 65%-86%), positive LR of 3.1 (95% CI, 2.2-4.0), and negative LR of 0.33 (95% CI, 0.20-0.47). Two studies (1 with a consecutive sample) that compared unattended automated mean office BP (with BP ≥135/85 mm Hg) with 24-hour ABPM had sensitivity ranging from 48% to 51% and specificity ranging from 80% to 91%. One study that compared attended automated mean office BP (with BP ≥140/90 mm Hg) with 24-hour ABPM had a sensitivity of 87.6% (95% CI, 83%-92%) and specificity of 24.1% (95% CI, 16%-32%). Conclusions and Relevance Office measurements of BP may not be accurate enough to rule in or rule out hypertension; HBPM may be helpful to confirm a diagnosis. When there is uncertainty around threshold values or when office and HBPM are not in agreement, 24-hour ABPM should be considered to establish the diagnosis.

Physical activity and healthy diet are recognized as effective approaches for disease prevention. Controlled laboratory clinical trials support these approaches, yet minimal data exists supporting implementation of exercise as medicine within a healthcare setting.Objectives: To understand perception and barriers to exercise and nutrition from patients and physicians from a family medicine clinic (FMC) to inform the implementation of a laboratory-based exercise and nutrition lifestyle intervention (Phase I), and to determine the feasibility, adherence, and preliminary outcomes of implementing this lifestyle intervention into a FMC (Phase II).Methods: In phase I 10 patients and 5 physicians were interviewed regarding perceptions of exercise and nutrition practices. In phase II patients at risk for cardiovascular disease were enrolled into a lifestyle intervention (n = 16), within a FMC, manipulating diet and exercise. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body composition, and metabolic blood markers were completed at baseline, after the 12-week intervention, and at 24 weeks. Feasibility was defined by patients who completed the intervention and number of sessions vs. total available.Results: Prescribing high-intensity interval training and a meal replacement for 12 weeks in patients with at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, was shown to have moderate feasibility with 62.5% (n = 10) for patients completing the 12 week intervention, and poor feasibility for assessing effects 12 weeks after cessation of the intervention, with 50% (n = 5) participants returning. Tracking exercise electronically via FitBit had moderate fidelity (n = 9), with hardcopy logs yielding poor compliance (n = 6). This pilot study demonstrated preliminary effectiveness of this home-based approach for improving cardiorespiratory fitness with an average 4.31 ± 5.67 ml·kg·min−1 increase in peak oxygen consumption. Blood triglycerides and insulin were improved in 70% and 60% of the patients, respectively.Conclusions: Despite moderate feasibility, a home-based exercise and nutrition has the potential to be used as an effective approach for managing and mitigating cardiovascular disease risk factors. There were key lessons learned which will help to develop and adapt a larger scale lifestyle intervention into a clinical setting.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02482922, identifier NCT02482922.

A healthy brain is critical for living a longer and fuller life. The projected aging of the population, however, raises new challenges in maintaining quality of life. As we age, there is increasing compromise of neuronal activity that affects functions such as cognition, also making the brain vulnerable to disease. Once pathology-induced decline begins, few therapeutic options are available. Prevention is therefore paramount, and primary care can play a critical role. The purpose of this American Heart Association scientific statement is to provide an up-to-date summary for primary care providers in the assessment and modification of risk factors at the individual level that maintain brain health and prevent cognitive impairment. Building on the 2017 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association presidential advisory on defining brain health that included “Life’s Simple 7,” we describe here modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, including depression, hypertension, physical inactivity, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, poor diet, smoking, social isolation, excessive alcohol use, sleep disorders, and hearing loss. These risk factors include behaviors, conditions, and lifestyles that can emerge before adulthood and can be routinely identified and managed by primary care clinicians.

Introduction: Bystander CPR (B-CPR) and defibrillation for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) vary by gender with females being less likely to receive these interventions. Despite known differences by race and ethnicity, it is unknown whether gender disparities in B-CPR and defibrillation persist by neighborhood race and ethnicity. Objectives: We examined the likelihood of receiving B-CPR and defibrillation by gender stratified by public location and neighborhood racial/ethnic composition. We hypothesized that in public locations within Black neighborhoods, females will have a lower likelihood of receiving B-CPR compared to males. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the US Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) registry. Neighborhoods were classified by census tract based on percent of Black or Hispanic residents using the threshold in the definition of “White flight” where Whites leave a neighborhood when it exceeds >30% of a minority population. We independently modeled the likelihood of receipt of B-CPR and defibrillation by gender stratified by public location and neighborhood racial/ethnic composition controlling for confounding variables. Results: From 2013-2018, CARES collected 350,722 US arrests; after excluding pediatric arrests, those witnessed by EMS, or those that occurred in a healthcare facility, 214,464 were included. Mean age was 64±16 and 65% were male; 39% received B-CPR, 9% received bystander defibrillation prior to 9-1-1 responders arrival, and 18% occurred in the public. In Black neighborhoods, females who had SCA in public locations were 22% less likely to receive B-CPR (OR: 0.78 (0.64-0.95), p=0.01) and 42% less likely to receive defibrillation (OR: 0.58 (0.45-0.74), p Conclusion: Females with public SCA have a decreased likelihood of receiving B-CPR and defibrillation, and these findings persist in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. This has implications for strategies to reduce disparities around bystander response to SCA.

Previous cost-effectiveness models found ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) to be a favorable strategy to diagnose hypertension; however, they mostly focused on older adults with a positive clinic blood pressure (BP) screen. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of 3 methods of BP measurement for hypertension diagnosis in primary care settings among 14 age- and sex-stratified hypothetical cohorts (adults ≥21 years of age), accounting for the possibility of both false-positive (white-coat hypertension) and false-negative (masked hypertension) clinic measurements. We compared quality-adjusted life-years and lifetime costs ($US 2017 from the US healthcare perspective) associated with clinic BP measurement, home BP monitoring, and ABPM under 2 scenarios: positive and negative initial screen. Model parameters were obtained from published literature, publicly available data sources, and expert input. In the screen-positive scenario, ABPM was the dominant strategy among all age and sex groups. Compared with clinic BP measurement, ABPM was associated with cost-savings ranging from $77 (women 80 years of age) to $5013 (women 21 years of age). In the screen-negative scenario, ABPM was the dominant strategy in all men and women

Background Low-wage workers suffer disproportionately high rates of chronic disease and are important targets for workplace health and safety interventions. Child care centers offer an ideal opportunity to reach some of the lowest paid workers, but these settings have been ignored in workplace intervention studies. Methods Caring and Reaching for Health (CARE) is a cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating efficacy of a multi-level, workplace-based intervention set in child care centers that promotes physical activity and other health behaviors among staff. Centers are randomized (1:1) into the Healthy Lifestyles (intervention) or the Healthy Finances (attention control) program. Healthy Lifestyles is delivered over six months including a kick-off event and three 8-week health campaigns (magazines, goal setting, behavior monitoring, tailored feedback, prompts, center displays, director coaching). The primary outcome is minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA); secondary outcomes are health behaviors (diet, smoking, sleep, stress), physical assessments (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fitness), and workplace supports for health and safety. Results In total, 56 centers and 553 participants have been recruited and randomized. Participants are predominately female (96.7%) and either Non-Hispanic African American (51.6%) or Non-Hispanic White (36.7%). Most participants (63.4%) are obese. They accumulate 17.4 (±14.2) minutes/day of MVPA and consume 1.3 (±1.4) and 1.3 (±0.8) servings/day of fruits and vegetables, respectively. Also, 14.2% are smokers; they report 6.4 (±1.4) hours/night of sleep; and 34.9% are high risk for depression. Conclusions Baseline data demonstrate several serious health risks, confirming the importance of workplace interventions in child care.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Quality of diabetes care delivered to patients with different types of usual providers of care [i.e., physician, physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP)] is similar. However, primary care (PC) providers often provide care to each other's patients (i.e., “share” common patients). The impact of patient sharing, or interdependence, is on quality of diabetes care is unknown. As a result, some providers and organizations hesitate to formalize patient sharing by creating multi‐provider teams due to concerns about the impact of impact of such teams on quality of care. We sought to both 1) evaluate the association of usual provider type (physician or PA/NP) provider and 2) interdependence on outcomes for patients with diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: This patient‐level cohort study used electronic health record data from 24 health system‐affiliated PC practices in central North Carolina. Patients' usual PC provider was the provider most frequently seen during 2016 and 2017. Patient‐level independent variables included demographic, medical complexity, and healthcare utilization (separate variables for PC, specialty, emergency department, and hospital). Provider panel‐level variables [usual provider of care type (physician or PA/NP), panel size, and provider interdependence (# shared patients / # supplemental providers then categorized into quartiles)]. We examined the association of diabetes quality (at least two hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests, at least one low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol test, mean HbA1c and LDL values) during 2017 with all variables simultaneously using logistic or linear regression with clustering by practice. POPULATION STUDIED: Adults with diabetes (N = 10,498) on 131 panels (physician = 111; PA/NP = 20). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Ninety percent of patients had physicians as usual providers (N = 9462). Patient demographics, complexity and utilization were similar for patients of different usual provider types except for mean age (physician = 64.6; PA/NP = 59.7) and insurance type (% Medicaid/uninsured: physician: 5.5; PA/NP: 11.2). Most patients had at least two HbA1c tests (72%) and one LDL test (65%). Average HbA1c (7.5 mmHg) and LDL (109 mg/dL) was also similar by usual provider type. Average panel size was 80 diabetes patients (physician = 85; PA/NP = 52) Panels had a mean interdependence of 6.1 patients/supplemental provider (physician = 6.2; PA/NP = 5.8). There were no statistically significant differences in HbA1c or LDL testing by usual provider type or interdependence. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in HbA1c for mean HbA1c values by usual provider type or interdependence. However, increases in interdependence quartile resulted in increases in mean LDL values (β = 13.8, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of diabetes care does not differ based on provider type, either PA/NPs or physicians. Increases in provider interdependence (greater numbers of patients per provider) resulted in higher mean LDL values, but only the interdependence values in the highest quartile would result in a mean LDL in the borderline high range. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY OR PRACTICE: Organizations using or considering interdependent, multiple‐provider teams will likely not see a reduction in diabetes‐specific quality metrics. However, additional patient and provider outcomes should be evaluated, such as delivery of preventive services, outcomes important to patients with multiple chronic conditions, and provider satisfaction and burn‐out. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institutes of Health.

Purpose This study aims to test the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for explaining intention to eat a healthful diet in a sample of Southeastern US office workers. Design/methodology/approach Participants in a worksite nutrition study (n = 357) were invited to complete an online questionnaire including measures of TPB constructs at baseline. The questionnaire included valid and reliable measures of TPB constructs: behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs, attitudes toward behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and intention. Data were collected from 217 participants (60.8 per cent response rate). Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted to test the hypothesized TPB model. Findings The model fit was satisfactory (χ2 = p < 0.0001, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.09). All structural relationships between TPB constructs were statistically significant in the hypothesized direction (p < 0.05). Attitude toward behavior, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were positively associated with intention (R2 = 0.56). Of all TPB constructs, the influence of perceived behavioral control on intention was the strongest (β = 0.62, p < 0.001). Originality/value Based on this sample of Southeastern US office workers, TPB-based interventions may improve intention to eat a healthful diet. Interventions that strengthen perceived control over internal and external factors that inhibit healthful eating may be particularly effective in positively affecting intention to eat a healthful diet, and subsequent food intake.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and characterize patterns of physical activity among office workers employed in largely sedentary occupations at a major health insurer located in the Southeastern USA. Design/methodology/approach The authors used latent class analysis to identify segments of office workers (n=239) based on their self-reported activities of daily living and exercise behaviors. The authors examined the association of demographic characteristics with segment membership, and differences in accelerometer-measured weekly minutes of light and moderate-vigorous physical activity across segments. Findings The authors identified two segments and labeled them “exerciser” and “non-exerciser.” Being female was associated with lower odds of membership in the “exerciser” segment (OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.06, 0.52), while those with at least a bachelor’s degree were more likely to be in the “exerciser” segment (OR=2.12; 95% CI=1.02, 4.40). Mean minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week were greater for the “exerciser” segment than the “non-exerciser” segment. Practical implications Based on this sample, the authors found that office workers in sedentary occupations were roughly equally divided and distinguished by their engagement in exercise-type behaviors. The findings underscore the need for innovative workplace programming that enhances activity opportunities particularly for those that are not likely to exercise. Originality/value A scarcity of research on activity patterns among office workers inhibits development of targeted worksite activity programming. The present research reveals two segments of workers with regard to their activity patterns and suggests ways for worksites to meet their unique needs.

Blood pressure (BP) variability is associated with progression to clinical atherosclerosis. The evidence is inconclusive if BP variability predicts cardiovascular outcomes in low-risk populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of 24-hour BP variability with coronary artery calcium (CAC) among a group of individuals without coronary artery disease. The Masked Hypertension Study targeted patients with borderline high BP (120-149 mm Hg systolic and/or 80-95 mm Hg diastolic). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed at two time-points, 8 days apart. CAC was measured at exit visit via cardiac CT and reported as Agatston Score. Weighted standard deviations and average real variability were calculated from ABPM. Of the 322 participants who underwent cardiac CT, 26% (84) had CAC present, 52% (168) were female, and 21% (64) were black. BP variability did not differ by CAC group. In this low cardiovascular risk group, CAC was not associated with 24-hour ambulatory BP variability.

The aims of this study are to assess the relationships of visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability in young adulthood to hippocampal volume and integrity at middle age. We used data over 8 examinations spanning 25 years collected in the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) of black and white adults (age, 18–30 years) started in 1985 to 1986. Visit-to-visit BP variability was defined as by SD BP and average real variability (ARV BP , defined as the absolute differences of BP between successive BP measurements). Hippocampal tissue volume standardized by intracranial volume (%) and integrity assessed by fractional anisotropy were measured by 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging at the year-25 examination (n=545; mean age, 51 years; 54% women and 34% African Americans). Mean systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP levels were 110/69 mm Hg at year 0 (baseline), 117/73 mm Hg at year 25, and ARV SBP and SD SBP were 7.7 and 7.9 mm Hg, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted linear models, higher ARV SBP was associated with lower hippocampal volume (unstandardized regression coefficient [standard error] with 1-SD higher ARV SBP : −0.006 [0.003]), and higher SD SBP with lower hippocampal fractional anisotropy (−0.02 [0.01]; all P SBP or SD SBP with hippocampal volume or integrity. In conclusion, visit-to-visit BP variability during young adulthood may be useful in assessing the potential risk for reductions in hippocampal volume and integrity in midlife.

Objective Adherence to antihypertensive medications is often less than optimal. Research suggests that patients have limited confidence regarding whether office blood pressure (BP) assessments represent their 'true' BP, which may further promote poor adherence to BP-lowering medication. We assessed peoples' confidence in the methods of BP assessment and examined the associations between patients' confidence levels and medication adherence comparing office and home BP-monitoring techniques. Methods We surveyed US adults aged 30 years or older (N=1010), all of whom had undergone an office BP measurement within the past 6 months. Respondents who indicated being prescribed antihypertensive medication (N=429) were asked to indicate their level of confidence on a 1-9 scale that BP measurements represented their true BP, and their adherence to antihypertensive medication using the eight-item Morisky Medical Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Results Respondents had equal confidence that both office BP measurements and home monitoring measurements reflected their true BP (median=7). Respondents indicated that they would have slightly more confidence in ambulatory BP monitoring (median=8). As respondents' confidence in the assessments of BP from office measurements and home monitoring increased from 1 to 9, the mean MMAS-8 score, adjusted for age, race, and education, increased from 5.38 to 6.25 (P=0.053) and from 5.50 to 6.14 (P=0.25), respectively. Conclusion As patients' confidence in a BP assessment method increases, so too does their reported adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications. This finding further supports the incorporation of methods in which patients can feel confident that the measurements are representative of their 'true' BP.

BACKGROUND We examined the reproducibility of differences in ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) phenotypes and other parameters (sustained hypertension, masked hypertension, nocturnal hypertension, and nondipping) between African Americans and Whites. METHODS A total of 420 participants untreated for hypertension attended 2 research visits 1 week apart during which traditional office BP averages and ABPM session averages were determined. We computed percent agreement in ABPM phenotypes across the 2 visits stratified by race and associated kappa statistics with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Whites on average were older, more likely to be male, and had a higher body mass index. There was no significant difference in sleep quality as defined by sleep diary between the 2 races. There were also no significant differences between races in the proportions of participants with sustained hypertension, sustained normotension, or masked hypertension at either testing session. The prevalence of nocturnal hypertension was 59% vs. 75% (P = 0.012) at session 1 and 59% vs. 73% (P = 0.024) at session 2 for Whites and African Americans, respectively, with moderate reproducibility for both (kappas 0.45 and 0.44). Nocturnal BP nondipping had a prevalence 29% vs. 53% (P < 0.001) at session 1 and 29% vs. 47% (P = 0.004) at session 2 for Whites and African Americans, respectively, with fair reproducibility (kappas 0.28 and 0.29). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support that African Americans indeed exhibit a greater preponderance of abnormal nocturnal BP patterns than Whites. Our work is some of the first to demonstrate that these abnormal patterns are modestly reproducible.

Background The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in the world. Healthy food choice and adequate physical activity are key factors in preventing NCDs. Food labeling is a strategy that can inform consumers to choose healthier foods at the point of purchase. In this study, we intend to examine the status of existing labels and to clarify their strengths and weaknesses. Then, for the first time in Iran, we will design a type of physical activity equivalent calorie label and will test it on some food groups of packaged products including dairy products, sweetened beverages, cakes, and biscuits. Methods This study will be conducted in two phases. In phase 1, nutrition fact labels and traffic light labels will be assessed through focus group discussions and interviews among different groups of mothers, industrialists and nutrition and food industry specialists as to determine strengths and weaknesses of the current labels on packaged products. Then, the initial layout of the physical activity calorie equivalent label will be drawn with respect to the viewpoints received from mothers. Thereafter, we will include the scientific opinions to it for creating the first draft of our new label. In phase 2, a total of 500 mothers of students 6–12 years old randomly assigned to five groups. The study groups will be as follows: (1) without nutrition label group, (2) current traffic light label group, (3) current traffic light label group in which, a brochure will be used to inform mothers, (4) physical activity calorie equivalent label group, and (5) physical activity calorie equivalent label group in which a brochure will be used to inform mothers. Some samples of dairy products, beverages, cakes, and biscuits will be presented. ANOVA and multiple linear regressions will be used to examine the association between the label type and the main consequence (energy of the selected products) and secondary outcome (time). Discussion The effect of the new food labels will be evaluated based on the differences between the calories of selected food groups. Trial registeration Iranian Registery of Clinical Trials [IRCT]20,181,002,041,201 N1.

Introduction: Masked hypertension is defined as having hypertensive blood pressure (BP) outside of the office setting among adults with non-hypertensive BP when measured in the office. Some guidelines recommend defining out-of-office BP using awake measurements while other guidelines recommend using awake and asleep measurements. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that defining masked hypertension using the awake and asleep BP measurements would increase the prevalence of masked hypertension compared to using the awake period alone, and the magnitude of this difference would be greater among non-Hispanic blacks compared with non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics. Methods: We pooled previously collected data from 5 NHLBI-funded population- and community-based studies including the Jackson Heart Study, the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (total participants: 2,866). All participants had office systolic BP (SBP) Results: The prevalence of masked hypertension increased from 29% to 43% when defined using awake, asleep, or 24-hour BP versus using awake BP alone (Table). This increase was larger in non-Hispanic blacks (31-54%) compared with non-Hispanic whites (28-37%) and Hispanics (17-26%). The adjusted prevalence ratio (95% confidence interval) for having masked hypertension for non-Hispanic blacks compared with Non-Hispanic whites was higher from 1.20(1.05,1.37) to 1.33(1.20,1.47) when defined using awake, asleep and 24-hour BP versus awake BP only. Conclusions: Including asleep BP to define masked hypertension increased the prevalence of masked hypertension to a larger extent among non-Hispanic blacks compared to non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics.

Effective leadership requires understanding and operating within three intersecting “circles”: sharing a vision and goals, adapting to context or situation, and gaining willing followers. These three characteristics distinguish leadership from management, although leadership also often involves some managerial functions. To be successful, the leader needs to be attentive, self-aware, resilient, pro-active, and have a clear sense of when to lead and when to manage. Especially important for the emerging leader in a medical faculty environment is the ability to adapt to new situations and contexts.

Introduction: Since over 75% of sudden cardiac arrest events occur in the home where family members may be first responders, broad cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for family members of high-risk cardiac patients represents a promising intervention. The use of mobile application-based (mApp) CPR training may facilitate this, but data on the approach are limited. Objectives: We compared CPR skill retention among those trained with an mApp and hypothesized that training with the mApp would be non-inferior to training with a well-established video self-instruction (VSI) kit. As a secondary analysis, we examined dissemination via the “multiplier rate” (i.e., those additionally trained by primary trainees) by intervention. Methods: We conducted a multicenter pragmatic, randomized control trial assessing non-inferiority of training family members of cardiac patients in CPR with an mApp (video, but no practice manikin) to training with an established VSI method (video and manikin). Subject’s CPR skills were tested 6-months post-training. We hypothesized that mApp training would be non-inferior to VSI training, with a non-inferiority margin set at 5 chest compressions (cc) per min. Results: From 01/2016-01/2018, 1446 subjects were enrolled at 8 hospitals with 685 trained with VSI, and 761 trained with the mApp. Of those, 541 were included in the skills analysis (275 VSI, 266 App). The mean age was 52±16 years and 69% were female. Mean cc rate was 85±34 per min; mean cc depth was 40±14 mm. When stratified by intervention arm, those trained with VSI had a mean rate of 86 per min (83, 90), compared to 88 per min (84, 92) with the mApp; those trained with VSI had a mean depth of 42 mm (41, 44), compared to 39 mm (38, 41) with the mApp. Findings were similar when accounting for loss to follow-up. We concluded non-inferiority of the mApp with a mean difference of 1 (-5, 7) cc per min for rate. Subjects trained with VSI shared with an additional 2±4 individuals compared to 1±2 (p Conclusion: In this large prospective trial of CPR skill retention, the mApp CPR training approach was non-inferior to VSI training for family members of cardiac patients. Future work may include evaluating additional means for adoption and dissemination of the mApp.

Failure of blood pressure (BP) to dip during sleep (nondipper pattern) is associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. The prevalence and degree of nondipping and masked hypertension in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), which is associated with stroke, has not been previously examined.We measured clinic and 24-hour ambulatory BPs in 22 patients with RVO and 20 control participants without known eye disease matched by age and sex. Mean BP dipping, defined as the ratio of difference in mean awake and sleep systolic BPs to mean awake systolic BP, and masked and nocturnal hypertension were compared between groups.Mean 24-hour ambulatory BP was 144/79 mmHg among those with RVO and 136/77 mmHg among controls. Patients with RVO had an almost 2-fold higher prevalence of nondipping pattern (80.8% [95% confidence interval, 52.8-94.1] vs. 50.4% [95% confidence interval, 26.1-74.5]; P = 0.008). Average sleep systolic BP dip in patients with RVO was 6.1% versus 11.9% in controls (P = 0.004). More patients with RVO had masked hypertension by ambulatory BPs than controls (71% vs. 50%), but this difference was not statistically significant.Our data suggest an association between RVO and nondipper BP pattern. Ambulatory BP monitoring may be useful in the evaluation of patients with RVO by identifying those who may benefit from more aggressive BP control.

Studies have shown that frequency of fast food restaurant eating and sit-down restaurant eating is differentially associated with nutrient intakes and biometric outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine whether frequency of fast food and sit-down restaurant eating occasions was differentially associated with less healthful eating habits, independent of demographic characteristics. Data were collected from participants in 2015 enrolled in a worksite nutrition intervention trial (n = 388) in North Carolina who completed self-administered questionnaires at baseline. We used multiple logistic regressions to estimate associations between frequency of restaurant eating occasions and four less healthful eating habits, controlling for age, sex, race, education, marital status, and worksite. On average, participants in the highest tertile of fast food restaurant eating (vs. lowest tertile) had increased odds of usual intake of processed meat (OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.71, 5.28), red meat (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.33, 4.00), refined grain bread (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.23, 4.10), and sweet baked goods and candy (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 2.00, 6.12). No associations were found between frequency of sit-down restaurant eating and less healthful eating habits. We conclude that greater frequency of fast food restaurant eating is associated with less healthful eating habits. Our findings suggest that taste preferences or other factors, independent of demographic characteristics, might explain the decision to eat at fast food or sit-down restaurants., Highlights • Frequent fast food restaurant eating is associated with intake of four less healthful foods. • No associations between sit-down restaurant eating and four less healthful foods were found. • No evidence of effect modification by educational attainment was noted.

Objectives Readmissions are a costly, burdensome, and potentially preventable occurrence in the healthcare system. With the renewed national focus on the cost and quality of health care, readmissions have become a major target for improvement; however, in general, the viewpoints of patients and healthcare providers have not been considered in these discussions. We aimed to compare provider and patient perspectives on the preventability of hospital readmissions. We also aimed to compare the factors that patients and providers perceive as contributing to readmissions. Methods We conducted descriptive statistics of readmissions using provider chart reviews (N = 213) on all readmissions to the University of North Carolina hospitalist service during a 6-month span. We also performed a qualitative analysis of those provider chart reviews, in addition to interviews with those readmitted patients (n = 23). We compared the percentage of providers versus patients who believed the readmission was preventable, and we explored the factors to which each group attributed the readmission. Results Providers stated that 30% of the readmissions were preventable, compared with only 13% of patients. Key contributing factors differed between providers and patients. Providers cited medical problems in 45% of readmissions, pain (24%), follow-up problems (22%), substance abuse (20%), and nonadherence (17%). Patients believed nothing could have been done to prevent them in 35% of readmissions, but they also cited medical problems (35%), incomplete diagnosis or treatment (22%), medication issues (17%), and system concerns (13%) as contributing to readmissions. Conclusions These data suggest that patients and providers view the issue of readmissions differently and highlight potential areas for improvement.

The prevalence of masked hypertension (out-of-clinic daytime systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) ≥135/85 mm Hg on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring [ABPM] among adults with clinic SBP/DBP