Clipping Board » Research Report ─ The latest medical research reports and related news.
【United Evening News / Reporter Lin Jinxiu / Taipei Report】
2008.06.12 03:17pm
When measuring blood pressure, in addition to measuring the blood pressure at the elbow, it is also advisable to measure the blood pressure at the ankle. Clinical research from Taipei City United Hospital has found that if the ratio of ankle blood pressure to arm blood pressure is less than 0.9, it not only indicates peripheral arterial occlusive disease but also signifies a higher risk of future myocardial infarction, with the potential for sudden death at any time.
Since this study provides another perspective on blood pressure monitoring, the research paper by Chen Chun-sen, Director of the Metabolism Department at Taipei City United Hospital Zhongxiao Branch, has recently been accepted and published in the British journal "Diabetes Medicine."
Chen Chun-sen stated that this study collected cardiovascular disease risk factors from 374 diabetic patients, such as gender, age, and smoking status. Statistical analysis revealed that if the ratio of ankle blood pressure to arm blood pressure is less than 0.9, meaning the ankle blood pressure is less than 90% of the arm blood pressure, the chance of developing coronary heart disease increases by 2.4 times compared to the normal group. Additionally, women are less likely to suffer from myocardial infarction than men, with the probability of women developing coronary heart disease being only 0.3 times that of men.
Although the ankle-to-arm blood pressure ratio is effective, Zhong Chang, Director of the Cardiology Department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Chiayi, believes it is not easy to popularize. This is because the blood pressure cuffs commonly used to measure elbow blood pressure are too small to fit around the ankle, rendering them ineffective. Fortunately, most hospitals have vascular arteriosclerosis instruments that can measure ankle blood pressure, allowing those in need to still get measured.
Zhong Chang mentioned that this vascular arteriosclerosis instrument can measure ankle blood pressure and vascular stiffness within 5 minutes, making it relatively convenient. The hospital has included it as one of the routine checks for outpatient and inpatient hypertensive patients. However, since it is not covered by health insurance, each measurement costs 1,000 NTD out of pocket.
According to statistics from the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently over 240 million diabetic patients worldwide, with more than one million in Taiwan. Among them, 15-30% suffer from peripheral arterial occlusive disease. If not actively managed through methods like blood pressure monitoring, it can lead to macrovascular diseases, causing intermittent claudication and potentially leading to amputation. Additionally, the risk of sudden death from myocardial infarction is high and should not be taken lightly.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4381517. shtml
Prevent Myocardial Infarction: Measure Blood Pressure in Both Arms and Legs!
2008.06.12 03:17pm
When measuring blood pressure, in addition to measuring the blood pressure at the elbow, it is also advisable to measure the blood pressure at the ankle. Clinical research from Taipei City United Hospital has found that if the ratio of ankle blood pressure to arm blood pressure is less than 0.9, it not only indicates peripheral arterial occlusive disease but also signifies a higher risk of future myocardial infarction, with the potential for sudden death at any time.
Since this study provides another perspective on blood pressure monitoring, the research paper by Chen Chun-sen, Director of the Metabolism Department at Taipei City United Hospital Zhongxiao Branch, has recently been accepted and published in the British journal "Diabetes Medicine."
Chen Chun-sen stated that this study collected cardiovascular disease risk factors from 374 diabetic patients, such as gender, age, and smoking status. Statistical analysis revealed that if the ratio of ankle blood pressure to arm blood pressure is less than 0.9, meaning the ankle blood pressure is less than 90% of the arm blood pressure, the chance of developing coronary heart disease increases by 2.4 times compared to the normal group. Additionally, women are less likely to suffer from myocardial infarction than men, with the probability of women developing coronary heart disease being only 0.3 times that of men.
Although the ankle-to-arm blood pressure ratio is effective, Zhong Chang, Director of the Cardiology Department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Chiayi, believes it is not easy to popularize. This is because the blood pressure cuffs commonly used to measure elbow blood pressure are too small to fit around the ankle, rendering them ineffective. Fortunately, most hospitals have vascular arteriosclerosis instruments that can measure ankle blood pressure, allowing those in need to still get measured.
Zhong Chang mentioned that this vascular arteriosclerosis instrument can measure ankle blood pressure and vascular stiffness within 5 minutes, making it relatively convenient. The hospital has included it as one of the routine checks for outpatient and inpatient hypertensive patients. However, since it is not covered by health insurance, each measurement costs 1,000 NTD out of pocket.
According to statistics from the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently over 240 million diabetic patients worldwide, with more than one million in Taiwan. Among them, 15-30% suffer from peripheral arterial occlusive disease. If not actively managed through methods like blood pressure monitoring, it can lead to macrovascular diseases, causing intermittent claudication and potentially leading to amputation. Additionally, the risk of sudden death from myocardial infarction is high and should not be taken lightly.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4381517. shtml