All articles tagged with #bmj study
A new study indicates that adults can maintain blood pressure reductions from isometric exercise with just one or two weekly sessions, though three sessions per week yield the largest improvements. Participants who stopped exercising entirely saw their blood pressure return to baseline levels within four weeks.
A new study in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine finds that isometric exercise training (IET), such as wall squats, can significantly lower blood pressure with minimal time commitment. Researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK tested 100 adults with normal to high-normal systolic blood pressure. Participants who performed three sessions of wall squats per week for four weeks saw their systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 9.45 mm Hg. Those who continued this frequency for eight weeks saw a further reduction, reaching an average drop of 13.73 mm Hg. The study suggests that even two or one session per week yields benefits, but stopping exercise entirely causes blood pressure to return to baseline levels within four weeks. The findings indicate that IET is a practical option for individuals with limited time or adherence challenges, potentially offering a scalable intervention for cardiovascular health.
A large study in Ontario found that 24 common drug combinations in older adults often result from side effects being mistaken for new conditions, leading to unnecessary and potentially harmful prescriptions. Researchers recommend better documentation and automated alerts to prevent these chains.
A BMJ analysis of NFL brain donations from 2008–2021 shows that at least 24.5% of players who died between 2016–2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), based on 215 positive diagnoses among 235 examined brains; the broader period yields an 18.5% minimum rate. CTE can only be diagnosed after death, and dementia was common among brain donors and correlated with CTE severity.
A BMJ study cited by The Times found that at least 24.5% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE (215 of 878); 643 brains were not studied, so the true prevalence could be higher. CTE can currently be diagnosed only after death, underscoring ongoing concerns about football-related brain injury. The NFL and NFLPA responded, while OSHA officials suggested the agency rarely enforces actions in professional sports, highlighting a broader call for action to improve player safety.
A BMJ study led by the University of Pennsylvania finds that GLP-1 receptor agonists used for obesity and type 2 diabetes are linked to a higher risk of non-scarring hair loss compared with SGLT-2 and DPP-4 inhibitors, though the absolute risk is small (about 7 in 1,000 per year). The researchers suggest rapid weight loss and nutritional changes as potential mechanisms and call for more research, while noting the need to weigh this potential side effect against the drugs’ benefits in shared decision-making.
A BMJ-backed study tracking over 100,000 people for about 15 years found that higher intake of several common food preservatives (including sulfites, nitrates/nitrites, and potassium sorbate) was linked to a modestly higher risk of overall cancer and some cancer types. The authors emphasize association, not causation, and experts note results may reflect broader ultra-processed diets. To reduce risk, focus on whole foods, read labels, limit processed meats, and consider safer preservation methods when possible.