Developing a risk score for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) ≥ 100 pg/ml levels: the suita study.

Background: Increased plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) serve as a biomarker for heart failure (HF). This study aimed to develop a risk score to predict elevated BNP levels using traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods And Results: We analyzed data from 2809 Japanese individuals aged ≥ 40 years from the Suita Study, a population-based prospective cohort.

The impact of obstructive sleep apnea and heart rate on arterial stiffness: results from the Tokyo Sleep Heart Study.

We examined whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and elevated heart rates (HR) independently increase the arterial stiffness and also the interaction between the two factors in increasing the arterial stiffness in a large Sleep Cohort. A total of 1611 subjects who underwent polysomnography and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement were included in the analysis. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and heart rate were each categorized into three groups (non-mild: 0/h ≤ AHI < 15/h; moderate: 15/h ≤ AHI < 30/h; severe: ≥30/h; Low: HR < 70 bpm; Medium: 70 ≤ HR < 80 bpm; High: ≥80 bpm), followed by group comparisons.

Systolic blood pressure lower than 130 mmHg in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes.

The optimal blood pressure (BP) management level for patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unclear. In conjunction with the upcoming the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension 2025 (JSH2025), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether managing systolic BP (SBP) < 130 mmHg improves outcomes in HFpEF patients. We searched PubMed, Cochrane and Ichishi for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since 2012 that targeted HFpEF patients; used strict BP control, antihypertensive medications, or intensive HF management as interventions; demonstrated significant BP reduction with achieved SBP < 130 mmHg in intervention groups; and had follow-up periods ≥6 months.

Machine Learning Model for Predicting Coronary Heart Disease Risk: Development and Validation Using Insights From a Japanese Population-Based Study.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Identifying key risk factors is essential for effective risk assessment and prevention. A data-driven approach using machine learning (ML) offers advanced techniques to analyze complex, nonlinear, and high-dimensional datasets, uncovering novel predictors of CHD that go beyond the limitations of traditional models, which rely on predefined variables.

Lipoprotein(a) Levels and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke: The Suita Study.

Aims: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) exhibits atherogenic and thrombogenic properties. We investigated the association between Lp(a) levels and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

Methods: We used data from 5138 people ≥ 30 years old registered in the Suita Study, a Japanese population-based prospective cohort study.

Developing and Validating a New Atrial Fibrillation Risk Score Using Medical Examination Items in a Japanese Population - The Suita Study.

Background: The aim of this was to develop an atrial fibrillation (AF) risk score using items usually included in Japanese governmental health check-ups.

Methods And Results: We analyzed data from 6,476 Japanese participants registered in the Suita Study. At baseline, the participants were aged ≥30 years and were free from AF.

Nutrition and Hypertension Researches in 2023: focus on salt intake and blood pressure.

Hypertension is a major global health issue that contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The management and prevention of hypertension often involve nutritional and dietary modifications, which are considered effective non-pharmacological strategies. In 2023, the Hypertension Research published several papers highlighting nutrition and hypertension.

A national survey of career development according to gender and subspecialties among cardiologists in Japan.

Background: Training opportunities, work satisfaction, and the factors that influence them according to gender and subspecialties are understudied among Japanese cardiologists.

Methods: We investigated the career development of Japanese cardiologists with an e-mail questionnaire. Feelings of inequality in training opportunities, work dissatisfaction, and reasons were assessed by examining the cardiologists' gender and invasiveness of subspecialties.

Lifestyle Behaviors of Childhood and Adolescence: Contributing Factors, Health Consequences, and Potential Interventions.

In this narrative review, we summarized evidence from peer-reviewed articles, published before February 2024, that investigated lifestyle behaviors among children (≤12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years) representing different geographic descents. These behaviors included dietary patterns, screen time, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral hygiene, unsafe sex, and sleep duration and quality. We documented the significant impacts of parental, school, and sociodemographic factors on the adoption of numerous lifestyle behaviors in this age category.

The association between antenatal coffee consumption and preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: A growing body of evidence has documented unfavorable maternal outcomes attributed to excessive antenatal coffee consumption. Preeclampsia is one of the most common hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with several adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the association between antenatal coffee consumption and preeclampsia remains debatable.

The association between serum cholesterol levels and mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment in the Suita Study and evidence from other epidemiological studies.

Background: Serum cholesterols are well-documented markers of cardiovascular diseases; however, their association with cognitive well-being is uncertain. This study investigated the association between serum cholesterol levels and mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment.

Methods: Epidemiological evidence on the role of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), non-HDL-C, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in cognitive impairment was highlighted.

The association between stair climbing and modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors: the Suita Study.

Background: Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity with potential cardiovascular benefits. This study aimed to investigate the association between stair climbing and numerous modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used data from 7282 Japanese people (30-84 years) residing in Suita City, Osaka.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

This study aimed to investigate the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and subsequent risk of dementia using a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. We searched PubMed and Scopus for eligible studies that investigated the association between HDP and dementia risk. Using the random-effects model, pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of dementia risk in women with HDP were calculated.

Fatty Liver Index as a proxy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease: The Suita Study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries, but its role in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) needs further investigation. Herein, we studied the association between NAFLD and the risk of CVD, stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD) among Japanese people.

Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed data from 2,517 men and 3,958 women, aged 30-84 years, who were registered in the Suita Study.

Monitoring for adverse drug events of high-risk medications with a computerized clinical decision support system: a prospective cohort study.

Monitoring is recommended to prevent severe adverse drug events, but such examinations are often missed. To increase the number of monitoring that should be ordered for high-risk medications, we introduced a clinical decision support system (CDSS) that alerts and orders the monitoring for high-risk medications in an outpatient setting. We conducted a 2-year prospective cohort study at a tertiary care teaching hospital before (phase 1) and after (phase 2) the activation of a CDSS.

Development of new scores for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease using specific medical examination items: the Suita Study.

Background: We previously developed risk models predicting stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Japanese people from the Suita Study. Yet, applying these models at the national level was challenging because some of the included risk factors differed from those collected in the Japanese governmental health check-ups, such as Tokutei-Kenshin. We, therefore, conducted this study to develop new risk models for stroke, CHD, and atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), based on data from the Suita Study.

The association between the estimated glomerular filtration rate and cognitive impairment: the Suita Study.

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cognitive impairment. We used data from 6215 Japanese individuals registered in the Suita Study. Cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≤ 26.

Fatty Liver Index and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in a General Japanese Population - The Suita Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most diagnosed arrhythmia in clinical settings. The fatty liver index (FLI) is a marker of liver steatosis with potential cardiovascular implications. This study investigated whether FLI could predict the risk of AF.

2023 update and perspectives.

Total 276 manuscripts were published in Hypertension Research in 2022. Here our editorial members picked up the excellent papers, summarized the current topics from the published papers and discussed future perspectives in the sixteen fields. We hope you enjoy our special feature, 2023 update and perspectives in Hypertension Research.

Central Systolic Blood Pressure as a Risk Factor for Accelerated Progression of Arterial Stiffness.

Aims: In the arterial tree, a pressure gradient of the systolic blood pressure (SBP) is observed from the center to the periphery, with the pressure being higher in the periphery because of pressure wave reflection. However, this gradient is attenuated, with elevation of the central SBP (cSBP), in cases with abnormal pressure wave reflection in the arterial tree. It remains unclear if increase of the cSBP might be an independent risk factor for accelerated progression of arterial stiffness.