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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent complication of treated and untreated cardiovascular disease. In fact, approximately 30% of hypertensives have been found to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) resulting from arterial dysfunction. Recent evidence has suggested that ED may be an early indicator of subclinical cardiovascular disease. In women, the evidence is similar, but more limited, showing that in hypertensive patients there is an increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction involving decreased vaginal lubrication, decreased orgasm, and increased pain. Clouding the issue, however, is that some antihypertensive agents may induce sexual dysfunction in hypertensives with normal sexual function. In contrast to the chronic treatments used in hypertension, therapies for ED involve acute treatments (none currently approved for women) targeting vasodilation of penile arteries, resulting in erection. Common to the treatment of hypertension and ED is that the current therapies were not designed to target underlying disorders of local, neural, vascular, or endocrine origin. In fact, while blood pressure is lowered, and erectile responses are improved with the respective therapies, the causal abnormalities may progress thereby limiting the long-term effectiveness of the medication. Some antihypertensive agents have been shown to have additional effects beyond blood pressure reduction and their impact on sexual function is a key focus of this review. This review examines the current and future strategies for treatments of male and female sexual dysfunction and the potential for therapeutic modalities that go beyond the recovery of the responses by targeting the fundamental mechanisms common to both sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:Common therapeutic strategies in the management of sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. 1585 58

Aldosterone antagonists have been available for many decades for the treatment of hypertension, but their use has been mostly limited to patients with classic primary aldosteronism or to combination products with hydrochlorothiazide to minimize risk for hypokalemia. Recently, indications for aldosterone antagonists have been expanded to include congestive heart failure and first-line treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension. In addition, we have reported that spironolactone has significant antihypertensive benefit when added to existing regimens in patients with resistant hypertension. This benefit was present in patients with and without hyperaldosteronism and was additive to chronic renin-angiotensin blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs). Eplerenone, a selective aldosterone antagonist, avoids the androgen and progesterone receptor-related adverse events that sometimes occur with spironolactone, such as breast tenderness, gynecomastia, sexual dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities. In clinical trials, eplerenone has been shown to have antihypertensive benefit in treating mild-to-moderate hypertension similar to other widely used classes of agents. With recent demonstrations of benefit in multiple segments of the hypertensive population, aldosterone antagonists represent emerging opportunity for controlling high blood pressure.
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PMID:Aldosterone antagonism: an emerging strategy for effective blood pressure lowering. 1591 92

The objective of the study was to assess factors associated with treatment satisfaction among patients receiving antihypertensive therapy. A weighted cross-sectional online survey was conducted with hypertensive patients participating in a chronic disease panel in the US. Patients on monotherapy with medications from the following classes were identified: ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers (BBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and diuretics. The control group included patients without treatment. Pairwise comparisons between groups were conducted for factors that may affect patients' satisfaction. The study population had a mean age of 54.7+/-14.2 years and was 56.7% female. Participants with blood pressure (BP) controlled to JNC 7 guidelines were more satisfied with their medication than those with uncontrolled BP (90.3 vs 71.5%, P<0.05). Patients who had not experienced adverse events had higher satisfaction than patients experiencing adverse events (90.9 vs 75.8%, P<0.05). The most frequently self-reported adverse events were frequent urination, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue ranging from 7.0 to 9.6% across classes. The adverse event rates differed by class and were lowest among the ARBs. Patients on ARBs were the most likely to have switched from a previous antihypertensive class as compared to other classes (57.1% ARBs vs 49.8% ACEIs, 38.7% diuretics, 36.3% CCBs, and 31.7% BBs). Physician recommendation was the most common reason for switching. In conclusion, the ability to effectively treat hypertension depends upon a patient's satisfaction with antihypertensive therapy, which may be improved by achieving BP control and minimizing the occurrence of adverse events.
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PMID:Patient satisfaction with antihypertensive therapy. 1595 40

The introduction of novel antipsychotics for the treatment of patients with serious psychiatric illness has alleviated the burden of managing some of the side effects of conventional agents. However, the novel agents may also cause adverse events. The long-term adverse events of concern include weight gain, diabetes, tardive dyskinesia (TD), and those associated with hyperprolactinemia. Recent studies with the novel agents have prompted clinicians to revisit antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Clinically significant weight gain puts patients at risk for coronary heart disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, and some types of cancer. More recently, case reports of glucose abnormalities and diabetes have emerged, indicating that some novel antipsychotics may be associated with altered glucose metabolism or insulin sensitivity. The novel antipsychotics may also have a lower propensity for causing TD than the conventional antipsychotics. Side effects associated with hyperprolactinemia include galactorrhea, gynecomastia, and menstrual and sexual dysfunction. All of these adverse events can cause patients to become non-compliant and may thus predispose them to relapse. In this review, the authors summarize the literature on the long-term side effects of the novel antipsychotics and examine the severity of the problem, with recommendations for management. When selecting treatments, clinicians should consider the side-effect profiles of the various antipsychotic agents.
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PMID:Long-term adverse effects of novel antipsychotics. 1599 Apr 91

The class of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) now comprises three medications: venlafaxine, milnacipran, and duloxetine. These drugs block the reuptake of both serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine with differing selectivity. Whereas milnacipran blocks 5-HT and norepinephrine reuptake with equal affinity, duloxetine has a 10-fold selectivity for 5-HT and venlafaxine a 30-fold selectivity for 5-HT. All three SNRIs are efficacious in treating a variety of anxiety disorders. There is no evidence for major differences between SNRIs and SSRIs in their efficacy in treating anxiety disorders. In contrast to SSRIs, which are generally ineffective in treating chronic pain, all three SNRIs seem to be helpful in relieving chronic pain associated with and independent of depression. Tolerability of an SNRI at therapeutic doses varies within the class. Although no direct comparative data are available, venlafaxine seems to be the least well-tolerated, combining serotonergic adverse effects (nausea, sexual dysfunction, withdrawal problems) with a dose-dependent cardiovascular phenomenon, principally hypertension. Duloxetine and milnacipran appear better tolerated and essentially devoid of cardiovascular toxicity.
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PMID:SNRIs: their pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and tolerability in comparison with other classes of antidepressants. 1614 13

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent and increasingly common, mainly vascular disorder. Most patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases experience decreased libido and frequency of sexual activity, as well as ED. Some unique organic and psychological factors contributing to ED have been identified in patients with underlying cardiovascular problems. Certain risk factors are common to the development of coronary artery disease, heart failure and ED, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking and dyslipidemia. Additionally, the use of medications such as beta blockers, digoxin and thiazide diuretics might eventually cause but more likely worsen sexual dysfunction. These unintended consequences can lead to medical noncompliance in misguided efforts to retain satisfactory sexual activity, and thereby worsen cardiovascular problems. Accordingly, it is important for physicians dealing with patients with cardiovascular diseases to address sexual concerns in their patients. After careful evaluation, most patients with stable cardiac disorders can resume sexual activity and/or can be treated for ED.
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PMID:Sex and the heart. 1639 42

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as "a state of physical, emotional, mental and sexual well-being related to sexuality." This broad definition goes beyond simply inquiring about sexual dysfunction and ideally fits the model of patient-centered primary care. As we observe that sexual health and physical health are often closely related, discussions about sexual activity can be very revealing. Sexual intimacy appears positively related to loving relationship satisfaction and stability. Sexual problems have a clear negative impact on both the quality of life and emotional state regardless of age. Learning about specific sexual dysfunctions among men can reveal a variety of as-yet-undiagnosed comorbid pathologic conditions such as: (i) depression and other emotional illnesses; (ii) psychosocial stress; (iii) actual cardiovascular disease as well as related risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and/or hyperlipidemia; (iv) hyperprolactinemia; and (v) low serum testosterone. Specific sexual dysfunctions among women can reveal pathologic conditions such as: (i) depression and other adverse imitational and psychosocial conditions; (ii) low serum estrogen or testosterone; and/or (iii) vaginal or pelvic disorders. A discussion about sexual health can be accomplished efficiently in a primary care office with the inquiring clinician having the option to deal with any sexual problems and dysfunctions directly, or to refer the patient to an appropriate specialized care source.
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PMID:Sexual health inquiry and support is a primary care priority. 1640 13

This article boldly challenges the dynamic psychiatrist to engage directly and vigorously into a matter that many would prefer to regard somewhat passively. That passivity is no longer acceptable. The metabolic syndrome has become a central medical concern because of the epidemic of obesity. It causes cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, sleep apnea, sexual dysfunction, and infertility. Obesity leads to depression, anxiety, and osteoarthritis. Some atypical antipsychotic medicines contribute to the metabolic syndrome, but the epidemic is widespread independent of atypicals. Practical steps by psychiatrists to monitor metabolic parameters are not as simple as they appear to be. Yet this is an area of clinical practice that cannot be ignored. Psychodynamic therapists need to awaken to the health of patients because the metabolic syndrome is more life-threatening than self-mutilation and many other self-destructive behaviors. The article discusses countertransference and transference issues stirred up when physicians begin to take responsibility for the total health of their patients. Freud oriented us to focus on both sides of the mind body relationship. Recent research on obesity, hypertension, diabetes, sleep, anxiety,depression, exercise and dyslipidemia is reviewed from the viewpoint of how it impinges on the office practice of a dynamic psychiatrist.
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PMID:A psychodynamic approach to screening for the metabolic syndrome. 1701 91

Male sexual dysfunction-a term that is commonly used to refer to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, decreased libido and impaired orgasm-is the primary complaint encountered by many urologists. Despite the high prevalence and bothersome nature of these complaints, they are frequently neglected in clinical practice. This paper highlights clinical situations in which urologists should systematically evaluate male sexual functioning. These include men who present with several common urologic disorders, such as pelvic trauma, malignancies, and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, neurologic disorders and infertility. Studies have shown that erectile dysfunction might be a clinical marker of endothelial dysfunction, and consequently of undetected diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease and depression. We also address the question of whether urologists should adopt wide-ranging screening regimens for sexual dysfunction.
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PMID:How, why and when should urologists evaluate male sexual function? 1647 Feb 7

There is ample evidence from many epidemiological studies that lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction are strongly linked, independently of age and comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and coronary heart disease. However, a causal link between both conditions is not yet established. Four pathophysiological mechanisms currently support the relationship between LUTS and erectile dysfunction (ED): (i) The nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/NO theory; there is a reduction in NOS-containing nerves in the prostate and bladder/urethra in patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), and that lack of NO or loss of protein kinase G causes ED; (ii) The autonomic hyperactivity and metabolic syndrome hypothesis: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may be part of the metabolic syndrome, which includes cardiovascular diseases (e.g. hypertension, ischaemic heart disease) and diabetes mellitus, known risk factors for ED. Hypertension, obesity, and hyperinsulinaemia have all been claimed to be associated with an increased sympathetic activity. Increased sympathetic activity is involved in LUTS/BPH and may have a role in ED/sexual dysfunction, with noradrenaline and alpha1-adrenoceptors representing a common link; (iii) the Rho-kinase activation/endothelin pathway; there can be increased Rho-kinase activity, and consequently calcium sensitivity of the contractile machinery, in prostate smooth muscle in BPH, the detrusor in BOO, corpora cavernosa in ED, and in the resistance vessels in hypertension. The actions of several factors beside noradrenaline (e.g. endothelin-1, angiotensin II), possibly involved in the increased smooth muscle activity found in both LUTS/BPH and sexual dysfunction, are dependent on Rho-kinase activity. Thus increased Rho-kinase activity might represent a common link between LUTS and sexual dysfunction; (iv) Pelvic atherosclerosis; animal models mimicking pelvic ischaemia and hypercholesterolaemia show similar smooth muscle alterations of the detrusor and corpora. Pelvic ischaemia may induce the biological modifications described above and may thus represent as well a common link between LUTS and sexual dysfunction. Studies treating one condition (e.g. ED) and measuring the impact on the other (e.g. LUTS) should further contribute to support this common link.
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PMID:Lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction: epidemiology and pathophysiology. 1650 50


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