More high blood pressure

Cases of high blood pressure in the U.S. increased 30 percent in the past decade, new research shows. Doctors at the University of Mississippi Medical center say that if the trend continues, cardiovascular diseases will be a huge burden on the population in coming years. 

The report, published in Hypertension, didn't address the cause for the increase. 

The Department of Health and Human Services, which participated in the study, says the cause is due to the population aging and being overweight. 
Overall, 28.7 percent of women and 28.3 percent of men had high blood pressure. On average, 38 percent of African-Americans had high blood pressure. 

Fast-growing specialty

A growing number of hospitals are hiring hospitalists to support primary-care doctors in hospital care. Hospitalists coordinate care by all staffers from nurses to specialists. They may order tests and make treatment decisions in consultation with primary care doctors. They are trained to recognize and respond quickly to changes in a patient's condition. 

Unlike doctors who train residents and often have their own medical practices, hospitalists spend all their time on hospital care or administrative duties. They don't see outside patients or see patients after they leave the hospital. 

Vitamin C deficiency

A deficiency in vitamin C is more common than previously thought. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that 5 percent to 17 percent of those surveyed were deficient in the vitamin. In spite of the fact that average intakes were normal, 13 percent to 23 percent were depleted of vitamin 
C. Smokers, people not taking supplements, and non-Hispanic black men were at highest risk for deficiency.

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C is 75 mg daily for women and 90 mg daily for men.