Clinical Hypertension最新文献

{"title":"Efficacy and safety of extravascular renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension: a study protocol for a pilot, single-arm, multi-center, first-in-human study.","authors":"Minjae Yoon, Hyung-Kwan Kim, Jang Hee Han, Hyung Joon Kim, Chang Wook Jeong, Dong-Ju Choi","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e18","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e18","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as a potential treatment for resistant hypertension, it has limitations, including incomplete denervation and anatomical constraints. To address these challenges, we introduce the HyperQure™ RDN System, a novel extravascular RDN procedure targeting the renal artery adventitia, where renal sympathetic nerves are primarily distributed, for a more complete denervation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This pilot, single-arm, multicenter, first-in-human trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of an extravascular RDN system in patients with hypertension. Ten patients aged 19-79 years with uncontrolled hypertension despite using three or more antihypertensive medications will undergo extravascular RDN. The procedure involves a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach to achieve circumferential ablation of the sympathetic nerves surrounding the renal artery. A repeat procedure can be performed at different locations on the artery or by targeting branch vessels and accessory arteries. The primary efficacy outcome is the change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 3 months post-procedure. Safety endpoints include the incidence of overall, major, acute/procedural, and chronic adverse events.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Extravascular RDN has the potential to overcome the limitations of catheter-based techniques by enabling more complete sympathetic denervation that targets a broader range of renal sympathetic nerve fibers. This trial will generate critical first-in-human data to guide future clinical applications of extravascular RDN.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0009209.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e18"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147867077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of physical activity with risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in Korean adults with hypertension.","authors":"Younghwan Choi, Yunmin Han, Yeon Soo Kim","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e21","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e21","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Whether higher volumes of physical activity (PA) and a greater proportion of vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) within total PA volume are associated with lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations of total PA volume and the proportion of VPA within total PA volume with all-cause mortality and MACE among adults with hypertension.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This nationwide cohort study included 124,370 adults with hypertension from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2009-2012), with follow-up through 2019. MACE was defined as a composite of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemic stroke. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and MACE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During a median follow-up of 9.1 years, 11,063 deaths occurred. Higher PA volumes were associated with stepwise reductions in all-cause and CVD mortality. In contrast, risk reductions for ischemic stroke plateaued at higher volumes, whereas reductions in MI risk were evident primarily at the highest volumes. Among 91,113 participants who engaged in any PA, a higher proportion of VPA was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-0.98 for < 50% VPA and HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.93 for ≥ 50% VPA), MI (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.89 and HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.58-0.86, respectively), and ischemic stroke (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76-0.92 for ≥ 50% VPA) after adjusting for total PA volume. No significant associations were observed between the proportion of VPA and CVD mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Among adults with hypertension, a higher PA volume was associated with lower risks of all-cause and CVD mortality. Additionally, a greater proportion of VPA, after accounting for total PA volume, was associated with lower risks of MI and ischemic stroke. These findings suggest that both PA volume and intensity composition may be relevant for cardiovascular risk reduction in individuals with hypertension.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e21"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149959/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147867125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Postprandial hypotension is associated with increased blood pressure variability in patients with type 2 diabetes.","authors":"Ju-Hee Lee, Jae-Hyeong Park","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e24","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Postprandial hypotension (PPH), which is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, is a prevalent but often overlooked in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, its relationship with comprehensive 24-hour hemodynamic profiles remains poorly defined. We aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of PPH in patients with T2DM and to determine its association with systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability and circadian blood pressure (BP) patterns.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We prospectively enrolled T2DM patients with stable glycemic control. PPH was defined as a post-meal SBP fall of ≥ 20 mmHg or a drop to < 90 mmHg within 2 hours after a meal. Hemodynamic patterns, including SBP variability (standard deviation) and circadian rhythms, were analyzed via 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We analyzed 67 T2DM patients (59.2 ± 11.9 years, 33 females). PPH was observed in 28 patients (41.8%). PPH occurred most frequently after dinner (64.3%), and less frequently after breakfast (25.9%). While average 24-hour BP levels were similar between groups, the PPH group exhibited significantly higher 24-hour SBP variability (21.4 ± 5.7 vs. 16.2 ± 4.3, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of morning surge (53.6% vs. 25.6%, <i>P</i> = 0.024). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that 24-hour SBP variability was the sole independent predictor of PPH (odds ratio, 1.211; 95% confidence interval, 1.043-1.406; <i>P</i> = 0.012).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our cohort, PPH was found in 41.8% of patients with T2DM and was independently associated with increased SBP variability. These results suggest that BP variability could be a valuable marker for identifying individuals at higher risk for postprandial hemodynamic instability.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e24"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149956/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147867041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Smartphone ophthalmoscopy for assessment of hypertensive retinopathy in suspected hypertensive emergency: a pilot study.","authors":"Bregt E K Broddin, Haris Kalić, Susanne Kramer, Ronald M P C De Crom, Gideon H P Latten, Jacqueline Buijs, Guy J M Mostard, Daan J L Van Twist","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e19","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e19","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fundoscopy is of pivotal importance in patients with suspected hypertensive emergency in order to detect hypertensive retinopathy and determine the need for prompt intravenous antihypertensive treatment. However, direct fundoscopy by an ophthalmologist is time-consuming and delays treatment. In this pilot study in the emergency department (ED), we evaluated whether smartphone ophthalmoscopy is a feasible and faster alternative.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated duration of ED-treatment in patients who underwent smartphone ophthalmoscopy for suspected hypertensive emergency. Smartphone ophthalmoscopy included 30-second retinal video recordings captured by the attending physicians, which were remotely evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Patients in the smartphone-group were matched in a 1:2-ratio to a historical cohort who underwent direct fundoscopy by an ophthalmologist. We evaluated total ED-length-of-stay (total ED-LOS; defined as the interval between ED-admission and ED-discharge) and 'treatment time' (defined as total ED-LOS minus time in waiting room).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the present analysis, we included 54 patients in the smartphone-group and matched them with 108 historical controls. On average, total ED-LOS was 29 minutes shorter in the smartphone-group as compared to controls (217 ± 73 minutes vs. 246 ± 73 minutes; <i>P</i> = 0.016). Treatment time was 40 minutes shorter in the smartphone-group (193 ± 68 minutes vs. 233 ± 71 minutes; <i>P</i> = 0.002). Stratified analyses suggested that the reduction in treatment time was most pronounced outside office hours. Smartphone ophthalmoscopy was feasible in 87% of the patients, the other 13% (<i>n</i> = 10) required additional direct fundoscopy by an ophthalmologist.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Smartphone ophthalmoscopy in suspected hypertensive emergency was feasible and faster as compared to direct fundoscopy by an ophthalmologist, which may allow earlier treatment and reduce ED-crowding.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e19"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149955/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147867088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modifying effect of statin use on the association between nitrogen dioxide exposure and ischemic heart disease in patients with hypertension.","authors":"Hyunji Park, Heeseon Jang, Hokyou Lee, Changsoo Kim, Jaelim Cho","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e22","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), adversely affects cardiovascular health by inducing systemic inflammation. Evidence remains limited regarding short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution, including NO₂, and whether statin use modifies susceptibility to pollution-related acute cardiovascular events. This study evaluated whether the short-term effects of NO₂ exposure and ischemic heart disease (IHD) hospitalization differ by statin-use status, focusing on patients with hypertension.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A time-stratified case-crossover analysis was conducted using data from National Health Insurance Service for patients hospitalized with IHD in Seoul from 2018 to 2020. The included patients had a prior diagnosis of hypertension and had used antihypertensive medication within the previous 3 years. This group was further stratified as prescription-based statin users and non-users based on whether they had received a statin prescription within 1 year before their IHD admission. The daily average NO₂ concentrations in Seoul were retrieved from Air Korea for the admission day and the preceding 7 days. Weighted conditional logistic regression models were applied separately for each subgroup after adjusting for meteorological conditions and national holidays. The risk of IHD hospitalization was presented as odds ratios (ORs) per 0.01 ppm increase in NO₂, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Differences in risk between statin users and non-users were tested (<i>P</i> for interaction).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 72,753 IHD cases analyzed, 24% were statin non-users and 76% were statin users. A 0.01 ppm increase in NO₂ at lag0 was associated with higher odds of IHD-related hospitalization (OR, 1.012; 95% CI, 1.003-1.020), with similar results for lag0-lag5 and cumulative windows (lag01, lag02). A significant interaction between NO₂ exposure and statin use was identified (<i>P</i> for interaction < 0.05). The associations differed by statin-use status, with generally lower, non-significant estimates among statin users. Among non-users, significant positive associations were observed at lag1, lag2, and lag01 (ORs > 1). In contrast, estimates among statin users were lower and non-significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Short-term NO₂ exposure was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for IHD among patients with hypertension. However, this association differed by statin-use status, with lower estimates observed among statin users than non-users.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e22"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149958/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147867069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blood pressure variability and the risk of post-stroke cognitive impairment following atrial fibrillation related acute ischemic stroke.","authors":"Dong A Yea, Sangwon Choi, Minwoo Lee, Mi-Sun Oh, Kyung-Ho Yu, Byung Chul Lee","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e12","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Blood-pressure variability (BPV) has been associated with adverse outcomes after stroke, but its relevance to post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remains unclear, particularly in cardioembolic stroke. We investigated the association between acute-phase systolic and diastolic BPV and PSCI in patients with atrial fibrillation-related ischemic stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective stroke registry including consecutive patients with cardioembolic stroke who underwent standardized neuropsychological assessment at 3 months post-stroke. PSCI was defined as any domain z-score < -2 after adjustment for age, sex, and education. BPV metrics were derived from all systolic and diastolic measurements obtained during the first 7 days of hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for demographic factors, vascular risk factors, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and neuroimaging characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 143 patients (mean age 70 years; 60.1% male; median NIHSS 5), PSCI occurred in 67 (46.9%). Higher short-term variability in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) was independently associated with PSCI. Each 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in SBP SD conferred an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.17), and each 1-SD increase in diastolic BP SD an aOR of 1.14 (95% CI, 1.01-1.29). Mean SBP and DBP were also independently associated with PSCI.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In patients with cardioembolic stroke, short-term variability in both SBP and DBP during the acute phase was independently associated with PSCI. Acute BPV may represent a modifiable hemodynamic marker of early cognitive vulnerability, warranting further investigation in larger and mechanistic studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e12"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053456/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147638081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current perspectives and challenges of digital hypertension: artificial intelligence in the management of hypertension.","authors":"Zheng Yin, Huanhuan Miao, Zhanyang Zhou, Xue Li, Yuqing Zhang","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e17","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e17","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hypertension remains a leading global health challenge. However, decades of conventional strategies have failed to achieve adequate blood pressure (BP) control rates. Given the complex pathophysiology and diverse risk factors of hypertension, the primary barriers to its effective management are an inadequate recognition of cardiovascular risk, as well as suboptimal methods for accurate, early-stage diagnosis and phenotyping. This persistent public health problem underscores an urgent need for transformative innovations of hypertension management. Digital hypertension is an emerging field that integrates advanced technologies into the management of hypertension, especially artificial intelligence (AI). Emerging technologies are providing new strategies for hypertension management, including accurate prediction and precision subtyping from large datasets, remote telemedicine support, intelligent BP monitoring, and personalized interventions. This review summarizes recent advancements and challenges in these technologies, particularly AI, offering new insights for realizing precision medicine in the era of digital hypertension.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e17"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147638103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic hypertension diagnosed in a previous pregnancy is associated with recurrent preeclampsia.","authors":"Ying Gu, Yu Chen, Xiaohui Cao, Lingli Hu, Yingrui Fu, Jingyang Li, Yihui Pan, Qi Chen","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e16","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e16","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A history of preeclampsia is a significant risk factor for recurrence, especially in cases of early-onset or severe preeclampsia. Additional maternal risk factors present in the subsequent pregnancy include advanced maternal age, interval between pregnancies, and newly diagnosed chronic hypertension. However, the impact of chronic hypertension diagnosed during the previous pregnancy on recurrence risk remains underexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ninety-four women with a history of preeclampsia were followed into their subsequent pregnancies. The association of clinical parameters in their previous pregnancy and the subsequent pregnancy outcomes was analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 94 women, 56 (60%) did not develop any current hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), while 4 (5%) developed chronic hypertension, 12 (13%) developed gestational hypertension, and 22 (24%) developed recurrent preeclampsia. Notably, among the 10 women who were diagnosed with chronic hypertension in the previous pregnancy, 80% developed recurrent HDP, compared to 36% of those without it (odds ratio [OR], 7.200; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.538-34.71; <i>P</i> = 0.0133). In addition, 87% of women with recurrent hypertensive disorders had a cesarean section in their previous pregnancy, compared to 68% of those without recurrence (OR, 3.126; 95% CI, 1.077-8.279; <i>P</i> = 0.0356).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Women with preeclampsia complicated by chronic hypertension diagnosed in their previous pregnancies and those who underwent cesarean section in their previous pregnancies are at increased risk for recurrent HDP, including recurrent preeclampsia.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e16"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147638124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Korea Hypertension Fact Sheet 2025: national trends in hypertension with a special analysis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.","authors":"Hyeon Chang Kim, Hokyou Lee, Hansol Choi, Hayan Kwon, Jaeyong Lee, Minsung Cho, Dasom Son, Sang Gyeong Lee, Na Yeon Ahn, Jeonga Park, Song Vogue Ahn, Dae Young Cheon, JoonNyung Heo, Jong Hyun Jhee, Eunji Kim, Hyeok-Hee Lee, Ju-Mi Lee, Seung Won Lee, Min-Ho Shin, Minjae Yoon","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e13","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e13","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This report utilizes the latest national data to describe the prevalence, management status, and treatment patterns of hypertension in South Korea, with a special analysis of the growing burden of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two nationwide datasets were analyzed: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 1998-2023) and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Big Data (2002-2023). In KNHANES, hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication. HDP prevalence was analyzed using NHI data for childbearing women aged 15-49 years from 2005 to 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2023, an estimated 12.6 million Korean adults (29% of adults aged ≥ 20 years) had hypertension. Management indicators continued to improve, with awareness, treatment, and control rates reaching 79%, 76%, and 62%, respectively. However, among young adults aged 20-39 years, awareness and treatment rates remained below 50% despite recent substantial gains. Healthcare utilization also increased, with 11.9 million individuals receiving hypertension-related care and 8.3 million achieving continuous treatment adherence (≥ 290 days/year) in 2023. Dual therapy was the most common regimen (44%), followed by monotherapy (40%). Angiotensin receptor blockers (77%) and calcium channel blockers (62%) were the most frequently prescribed drug classes. The burden of HDP has risen markedly over time. The number of women with HDP increased from approximately 22.8 thousand in 2005 to over 30 thousand in 2023, representing a 32% increase despite a substantial decline in total births. In 2023, HDP affected 13.2% of maternity healthcare users, comprising chronic hypertension (7.2%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (4.7%), and preeclampsia/eclampsia (2.9%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>South Korea continues to demonstrate high performance in hypertension management at the population level, with steady improvements in awareness, treatment, and control. Nevertheless, the rising absolute number of individuals with hypertension and the substantial, accelerating increase in HDP underscore the need for strengthened public health strategies. Targeted early detection and tailored management approaches are essential to improve cardiovascular, maternal, and fetal health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e13"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053457/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147638156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Arterial stiffness index and blood pressure phenotypes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: prognostic implications for ischemic and bleeding events.","authors":"Byung Sik Kim, Jong-Hwa Ahn, Min Gyu Kang, Kye-Hwan Kim, Jae Seok Bae, Yun Ho Cho, Jin-Sin Koh, Eun Jeong Cho, Sang-Wook Kim, Udaya S Tantry, Paul A Gurbel, Jin-Yong Hwang, Jeong-Hun Shin, Young-Hoon Jeong","doi":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e15","DOIUrl":"10.5646/ch.2026.32.e15","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The clinical implications of arterial stiffness in relation to hypertension remain unclear in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to determine whether the arterial stiffness index provides additional prognostic information regarding hypertension-related risks in this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Arterial stiffness was measured using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in 3,930 PCI patients before discharge. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events (NACE), a composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke) and major bleeding over 4 years. The patients were categorized into four groups based on hypertensive status and baPWV phenotype (< 1,891 vs. ≥ 1,891 cm/s).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to hypertensive status, the baPWV phenotype showed a stronger association with clinical outcomes. Hypertensive status and baPWV phenotype showed an additive effect on risk stratification. The highest incidence rates of clinical events were observed in the hypertensives with high baPWV, followed by the normotensives with high baPWV, hypertensives with low baPWV, and normotensives with low baPWV groups. Specifically, the 4-year incidence of NACE was 14.8%, 12.4%, 7.1%, and 6.0%, respectively, and the corresponding incidences of MACCE were 12.7%, 9.5%, 6.2%, and 5.2%, respectively. The hypertensives with high baPWV group exhibited significantly higher risks for NACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.556; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.132-2.138; <i>P</i> = 0.006), MACCE (aHR, 1.573; 95% CI, 1.113-2.223; <i>P</i> = 0.010), and major bleeding (aHR, 2.023; 95% CI, 1.029-3.978; <i>P</i> = 0.041) compared with the normotensive with low baPWV group. Findings were consistent across subgroups for NACE without significant interactions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Arterial stiffness exhibited additive prognostic implications in patients undergoing PCI. The combined use of the baPWV and hypertension phenotype may enhance post-PCI risk stratification for clinical events.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04650529.</p>","PeriodicalId":10480,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Hypertension","volume":"32 ","pages":"e15"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053468/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147638127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}