Significado clínico da hipertensão durante o sono / Clinical meaning of hypertension during sleep

A anormalidade da pressão arterial durante o período de sono identificada como médias ≥ 120 x 70 mm Hg, por meio de registros da Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial de 24 horas (MAPA), está relacionada a pior prognóstico e maior risco de eventos. Essa alteração pode ser decorrência de vários fatores, mas, geralmente, independentemente da causa está fortemente relacionada a maior probabilidade de eventos e mortalidade cardiovasculares. Ainda restam dúvidas, embora evidências começam a ser oferecidas, se o tratamento medicamentoso desse estado de comportamento peculiar da pressão arterial nas 24 horas deva ser instituído. Nessa revisão esses aspectos são amplamente discutidos com base nas melhores evidências disponíveis

The abnormality of blood pressure during the sleep period identified as means ≥ 120 x 70 mm Hg, through 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) records, is related to a worse prognosis and greater risk of events. This change can be due to several factors, but, generally, regardless of the cause, it is strongly related to a higher probability of cardiovascular events and mortality. Doubts remain, although evidence is beginning to be offered, whether drug treatment of this peculiar behavioral state of blood pressure within 24 hours should be instituted. In this review, these aspects are widely discussed based on the best available evidence

Doença renal crônica e fatores de risco para morte súbita cardíaca ­ denervação renal simpática: um sopro de esperança? / Chronic kidney disease and risk factors responsible for sudden cardiac death ­ renal sympathetic denervation: a whiff of hope?

Vários estudos têm demonstrado forte associação independente entre doença renal crônica e eventos cardiovasculares, incluindo morte, insuficiência cardíaca e infarto do miocárdio. Ensaios clínicos recentes estendem essa gama de eventos adversos cardiovasculares, incluindo também arritmias ventriculares e morte súbita cardíaca. Além disso, outros estudos sugerem remodelação estrutural do coração e alterações eletrofisiológicas nessa população. Esses processos podem explicar o aumento do risco de arritmia na doença renal crônica e ajudam a identificar os pacientes que possuem maior risco de morte súbita cardíaca. A hiperatividade simpática é bem conhecida por aumentar o risco cardiovascular em pacientes com doença renal crônica e é uma marca registrada do estado hipertensivo essencial, que ocorre precocemente no curso clínico da doença. Nessa afecção, a hiperatividade simpática parece ser expressa em sua fase clínica mais precoce, mostrando relação direta com a gravidade do estágio da insuficiência renal, sendo mais acentuada em sua fase terminal. A atividade nervosa simpática eferente e aferente na insuficiência renal é mediadora-chave para manutenção e progressão da doença. O objetivo desta revisão foi mostrar que o circuito fechado de realimentação do ciclo, em decorrência da hiperatividade adrenérgica, também agrava muitos dos fatores de risco responsáveis por causar morte súbita cardíaca, podendo ser um alvo potencial modificável pela denervação renal simpática percutânea. Pouco se sabe, ainda, sobre a viabilidade e a eficácia da denervação renal simpática percutânea na doença renal terminal

Several studies have shown a strong independent association between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular events, including death, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Recent clinical trials extend this array of adverse cardiovascular events, also including ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Furthermore, other studies suggest structural remodeling of the heart and electrophysiological alterations in this population. These processes may explain the increased risk of arrhythmia in kidney disease and help to identify patients who are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Sympathetic hyperactivity is well known to increase cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease patients and is typical of the essential hypertensive state that occurs early in the clinical course of the disease. In chronic kidney disease, sympathetic hyperactivity seems to be expressed at the earliest clinical stage of the disease, showing a direct relationship with the severity of renal failure, being more pronounced in the end stage of chronic kidney disease. Efferent and afferent sympathetic neural activity in kidney failure is a key mediator for the maintenance and progression of the disease. The aim of this review was to demonstrate that the feedback loop of this cycle, due to adrenergic hyperactivity, also aggravates many of the risk factors for sudden cardiac death and may be a potential target modifiable by percutaneous sympathetic renal denervation. Little is known whether it is feasible and effective in end-stage renal disease.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: Five Decades of More Light and Less Shadows / Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial: Cinco Décadas de mais Luzes e Menos Sombras

Abstract Casual blood pressure measurements have been extensively questioned over the last five decades. A significant percentage of patients have different blood pressure readings when examined in the office or outside it. For this reason, a change in the paradigm of the best manner to assess blood pressure has been observed. The method that has been most widely used is the Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring - ABPM. The method allows recording blood pressure measures in 24 hours and evaluating various parameters such as mean BP, pressure loads, areas under the curve, variations between daytime and nighttime, pulse pressure variability etc. Blood pressure measurements obtained by ABPM are better correlated, for example, with the risks of hypertension. The main indications for ABPM are: suspected white coat hypertension and masked hypertension, evaluation of the efficacy of the antihypertensive therapy in 24 hours, and evaluation of symptoms. There is increasing evidence that the use of ABPM has contributed to the assessment of blood pressure behaviors, establishment of diagnoses, prognosis and the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy. There is no doubt that the study of 24-hour blood pressure behavior and its variations by ABPM has brought more light and less darkness to the field, which justifies the title of this review.

Resumo Nas últimas cinco décadas muito têm sido questionadas as medidas casuais da pressão arterial (PA). Significativa porcentagem de pacientes apresenta PA muito diversa quando examinados na clínica ou fora dela. Por isso, é hoje observada uma mudança de paradigma com relação ao melhor modo de se avaliar a PA. O método que mais se consolidou é a Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial - MAPA. É possível obter-se o registro de medidas de PA durante 24 horas avaliando-se vários parâmetros como: médias de PA, cargas de pressão, áreas sob as curvas, variações entre vigília e sono, variabilidade de pressão de pulso etc. As medidas de PA obtidas pela MAPA são mais bem correlacionadas, por exemplo, com os riscos da hipertensão arterial. As principais indicações para a MAPA são: suspeita de hipertensão do avental branco e da hipertensão mascarada, avaliação da eficácia terapêutica nas 24 horas e avaliação de sintomas. Crescem as evidências de que o emprego da MAPA contribui para avaliar os comportamentos da PA, estabelecer diagnósticos, prognóstico e avaliar a eficácia terapêutica anti-hipertensiva. Sem dúvidas, o estudo do comportamento da PA e suas variações durante as 24 horas pela MAPA nos deixaram com menos sombras e mais luzes, e justifica o título desta revisão.

Hipotensão pós-exercício resistido entre homens jovens e de meia idade / Post-resistance exercise hypotension is similar between Young and middle-aged men

A hipotensão pós-exercício foi extensivamente descrita em jovens. Entretanto, os parâmetros hemodinâmicos mudam com a idade e as respostas pós-exercício também podem variar. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a hipotensão pós-exercício resistido em sujeitos jovens e de meia idade. Método: Nove homens jovens (24 ± 1 anos) e oito de meia idade (42 ± 3 anos) participaram de duas sessões experimentais realizadas em ordem aleatória: controle (C: 40 minutos sentado em repouso) e exercício (E: seis exercícios, três séries, repetições até a fadiga moderada, em 50% de uma repetição máxima). Antes e 60 minutos após as intervenções, a pressão arterial clínica (PA) e frequência cardíaca (FC) foram medidas. Além disso, a PA e FC ambulatoriais foram mensuradas por 24 h após as sessões. O duplo produto (DP) foi calculado. Resultados: Os valores pré-intervenções foram semelhantes entre as sessões e os grupos. As respostas ao exercício também não diferiram entre os jovens e idosos. Assim, as PAs sistólica, diastólica e média diminuíram significante e similarmente pós-exercício nos dois grupos (valores combinados = -6,4 ± 1,6; -4,5 ± 1,8; -5,1 ± 1,5 mmHg, respectivamente, p ≤ 0,05) enquanto que a FC e o DP aumentaram (valores combinados = +11 ± 2 bpm e +803 ± 233 mmHg.bpm, respec¬tivamente, p ≤ 0,05). A PA e FC ambulatoriais pós-exercício foram semelhantes nas duas sessões e nos dois grupos. Conclusão: Uma única sessão de exercício resistido promove hipotensão pós-exercício semelhante em homens jovens e de meia-idade. A redução da PA se acompanha de aumento da FC e do trabalho cardíaco pós-exercício. Porém, estas respostas não se mantêm em condições ambulatoriais...

Post-resistance exercise hypotension has been extensively described in young subjects. However, hemodynamic parameters change with aging, and post-exercise responses may also vary. Thus, this study was designed to compare post-resistance exercise hypotension in young and middle-aged subjects. Method: Nine young (24 ± 1years) and eight middle-aged (42 ± 3years) healthy subjects underwent 2 experimental sessions conducted in a randomized order: control (C: 40 minutes of seated rest) and exercise (E: 6 exercises, 3 sets, repetitions until moderate fatigue, at 50% of 1-repetition maximum). Before and 60 minutes after the interventions, clinic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured. In addition, ambulatory BP and HR were assessed for 24h after both sessions. Rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated. Results: Pre-interventions values were similar in both sessions and groups. Physiological responses to exercise were also similar between young and middle-aged subjects. Thus, clinic systolic, diastolic and mean BP decreased significantly and similarly after exercise in both groups (combined values = -6.4 ± 1.6, -4.5 ± 1.8, -5.1 ± 1.5 mmHg, respectively, p ≤ 0.05), while HR and RRP increased (combined values = +11 ± 2 bpm and +803 ± 233 mmHg. bpm, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). Ambulatory data were similar between sessions and groups. Conclusion: A single bout of resistance exercise promotes similar post-exercise hypotension in young and middle aged men. BP response is accompanied by an increase in HR and cardiac work. All these responses are not sustained under ambulatory conditions...

Avaliação da segurança e eficácia da combinação ramipril/ anlodipino versus anlodipino em monoterapia no tratamento da hipertensão arterial pela monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial: estudo ATAR-MAPA / Evaluation of security and efficiency of the combination ramipril/amlopidine versus amlopidine in monotherapy for the treatment of arterial hypertension by the outpatient monitoring of blood pressure: study ATAR-ABPM

O objetivo do estudo é comparar a eficácia e a tolerabilidade da combinação fixa ramipril/anlodipino e do anlodipino em monoterapia para o tratamento de hipertensão arterial. Após um período de duas semanas de retirada de anti-hipertensivos e uso de placebo (washout), 265 pacientes hipertensos com idades entre 40 e 79 anos foram randomizados para iniciar tratamento com 2,5/2,5 mg de ramipril/anlodipino em combinação fixa ou 2,5 mg de anlodipino, que foram titulados para 5/5 mg e 10/10 mg de ramipril/anlodipino, ou 5 e 10 mg de anlodipino, se necessário. No total, 131 pacientes foram randomizados para terapia combinada e 134 para monoterapia sem diferenças significativas entre os grupos nas características basais e nos níveis de pressão arterial (PA) inicial. A redução média da PA sistólica nos períodos do dia (20,36 ± 13,42 versus 15,86 ± 12,71 mmHg; p = 0,003) e da noite (17,6 ± 17,61 versus 14,09 ± 14,32 mmHg; p = 0,051), avaliada pela monitorização ambulatorial de pressão arterial (MAPA), foi significativamente maior no grupo tratamento com combinação fixa. A redução média da PA diastólica durante o dia à MAPA (11,28 ± 8,29 versus 8,96 ± 8,16 versus mmHg; p = 0,009) foi maior no grupo terapia combinada, mas não durante a noite (8,42 ± 11,16 mmHg versus 7,70 ± 8,63; p = 0,567). A redução média da PA sistólica e diastólica em 24 horas à MAPA também foi maior no grupo tratamento combinado. Ambas as opções terapêuticas promoveram redução significativa da PA sistólica e diastólica; porém, os resultados observados foram melhores no grupo de combinação fixa ramipril/anlodipino

This study aims to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a fixed-dose ramipril/amlodipine combination and amlodipine monotherapy for the treatment of hypertension. After a 2-week placebo washout, 265 hypertensive patients aged 40 to 79 years were randomized for 2.5/2.5 mg ramipril/amlodipine or 2.5 mg amlodipine, titrated to ramipril/amlodipine 5/5 mg and 10/10 mg , or amlodipine 5 and 10 mg, if necessary. A total of 131 patients were assigned to combination therapy, and 134 to monotherapy with no significant differences among them in basal characteristics and blood pressure (BP) levels at the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Mean reduction in daytime (20.36 ± 13.42 versus 15.86 ± 12.71 mmHg; p = 0.003) and night-time systolic BP on ABPM (17.6 ± 17.61 versus 14.09 ± 14.32 mmHg; p = 0.051) were significantly higher in the combination therapy. Mean daytime diastolic BP reduction on ABPM (11.28 ± 8.29 versus 8.96 ± 8.16 versus mmHg; p = 0.009) was greater in the combination group, but not at night-time (8.42 ± 11.16 mmHg versus 7.70 ± 8.63; p = 0.567). Mean change in 24-h systolic and diastolic BP on ABPM were also greater in the combination treatment. Both treatments promoted a marked reduction in systolic and diastolic BP, and the results observed were better in the ramipril/amlodipine combination group.

Hipertensão arterial nos pacientes com doença renal crônica / Hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease

A hipertensão arterial é o maior fator de risco para doença cardiovascular e renal. Inversamente, a doença renal crônica é a forma mais comum de hipertensão secundária e várias evidências sugerem que é um fator de risco independente para mortalidade e morbidade cardiovascular. Balanço de sal positivo é o fator dominante, mas não único na gênese da hipertensão na doença renal crônica. As evidências experimentais demonstraram , claramente que a hipertensão devido à retenção de sal e água é mantida pelos aumento da resistência periférica.O diagnóstico da hipertensão é criticamente dependente das medidas adequadas da pressão arterial, principalmente em pacientes com doença renal crônica, cujo tratamento anti-hipertensivo precoce é mandatório para a prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares. A monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial permitiu identificar pacientes hipertensos de risco elevado. O tratamento da hipertensão em pacientes com doença renal crônica deve levar em consideração a natureza da doença renal subjacente. Pacientes com nefropatia diabética ou doença renal não diabética proteinúrica se beneficiam do tratamento com inibidores da enzima de conversãoda angiotensina ou bloqueadores do receptor de angiotensina II para a meta de pressão arterial < 130/80 mmHG, se tolerado. A meta abaixo de 140/90 mmHg é aceitável para muitos pacientes com outras formas de doença renal. Bloqueio duplo ou triplo do sistema renina angiotensina deve ser evitado.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. Conversely, chronic kidney disease is the most common form of secondary hypertension and mounting evidence suggest it is independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. positive salt balance is the dominant but not the sole factor in the genesis of hypertension in chronic kidney disease. The experimental evidences have clearly demonstrated that hypertension due to retention of salt and water is maintained by increased peripheral resistance. The diagnosis of hypertension is critically dependent on accurate blood pressure measurement, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease, in whom early antihypertensive treatment is imperative to prevent cardiovascular events. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has successfully identified hypertensive patients at increased risk. The treatment of hypertension in chronic kidney disease patients should take into consideration the nature of the underlying kidney disease. Patients with diabetic nephropathy or proteinuric nondiabetic kidney disease benefit from treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers to a goal blood pressure of < 140/90 mmHg is acceptable for most patients with other forms of chronic kidney disease. Dual or triple blockade of the renin-angiotensin system should generally be avoided.

An economic evaluation of antihypertensive therapies based on clinical trials

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is a major issue in public health, and the financial costs associated with hypertension continue to increase. Cost-effectiveness studies focusing on antihypertensive drug combinations, however, have been scarce. The cost-effectiveness ratios of the traditional treatment (hydrochlorothiazide and atenolol) and the current treatment (losartan and amlodipine) were evaluated in patients with grade 1 or 2 hypertension (HT1-2). For patients with grade 3 hypertension (HT3), a third drug was added to the treatment combinations: enalapril was added to the traditional treatment, and hydrochlorothiazide was added to the current treatment. METHODS: Hypertension treatment costs were estimated on the basis of the purchase prices of the antihypertensive medications, and effectiveness was measured as the reduction in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (in mm Hg) at the end of a 12-month study period. RESULTS: When the purchase price of the brand-name medication was used to calculate the cost, the traditional treatment presented a lower cost-effectiveness ratio [US$/mm Hg] than the current treatment in the HT1-2 group. In the HT3 group, however, there was no difference in cost-effectiveness ratio between the traditional treatment and the current treatment. The cost-effectiveness ratio differences between the treatment regimens maintained the same pattern when the purchase price of the lower-cost medication was used. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the traditional treatment is more cost-effective (US$/mm Hg) than the current treatment in the HT1-2 group. There was no difference in cost-effectiveness between the traditional treatment and the current treatment for the HT3 group.

Variáveis biopsicossociais e atitudes frente ao tratamento influenciam a hipertensão complicada / Biopsychosocial variables and attitudes towards treatment influence complicated hypertension

FUNDAMENTO: A hipertensão complicada pode ser influenciada pelas características dos pacientes hipertensos. OBJETIVO: Associar a condição de hipertensão complicada com variáveis biossociais, tais como as atitudes e as crenças sobre a doença e o tratamento e o bem-estar subjetivo. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 251 hipertensos não complicados (PAS > 140 mmHg e/ou 90 < PAD < 110 mmHg para pacientes sem tratamento e PAD < 110 mmHg para pacientes com tratamento, sem lesões em órgãos-alvo e outras doenças) e 260 hipertensos complicados (PAD > 110 mmHg com ou sem tratamento, com lesões em órgãos-alvo ou outras doenças). RESULTADOS: Os hipertensos complicados foram significativamente diferentes dos não complicados (p < 0,05) em relação a: 1 - Predomínio de homens, não brancos (53,0 por cento), maior índice de massa corporal (29,5 ± 4,6 vs 28,5 ± 4,0 kg/m²), mais de 10 anos de doença (54,0 por cento), realização de tratamento anterior (53,0 por cento) e referência de tristeza em relação a sua vida como um todo (74,0 por cento); 2 - Os hipertensos complicados nunca levam os remédios quando viajam (59,0 por cento), nem os providenciam antes de acabarem (71,0 por cento) e raramente seguem as orientações sobre alimentação (69,0 por cento); 3 - Os hipertensos não complicados apontaram mais enxaqueca, dor articular e, entre as mulheres, presença de menopausa e tratamento de reposição hormonal; 4 - Dos que tinham a pressão controlada (< 140/90 mmHg), 61,9 por cento eram hipertensos não complicados; e 5 - Os hipertensos complicados desconheciam que o tratamento pode evitar problemas renais e desconheciam ainda que a hipertensão também pode acometer pessoas jovens. CONCLUSÃO: Hipertensos complicados apresentaram mais características estruturais e psicossociais desfavoráveis, mais atitudes negativas frente ao tratamento e desconhecem a doença.

BACKGROUND: Complicated hypertension can be influenced by the characteristics of hypertensive patients. OBJECTIVE: To associate the condition of complicated hypertension with biosocial variables such as attitudes and beliefs about the disease and treatment and subjective well-being. METHODS: We studied 251 uncomplicated hypertensive patients (SBP > 140 mmHg and/or 90 < DBP < 110 mmHg for patients under no treatment and DBP <110mmHg for patients under treatment without target organ damage and other diseases) and 260 complicated hypertensive patients (DBP > 110 mmHg with or without treatment, with target organ damage or other diseases). RESULTS: Complicated hypertensive patients were significantly different from uncomplicated ones (p <0.05) in relation to: 1 - Prevalence of men, not white (53.0 percent), higher body mass index (29.5 ± 4.6 vs 28.5 ± 4.0 kg/m²), over 10 years of disease (54.0 percent), completion of previous treatment (53.0 percent) and reports of sadness about life as a whole (74.0 percent) 2 - Complicated hypertensive patients never bring the drugs when they travel (59.0 percent), nor do they buy them before running out the drugs (71.0 percent) and rarely follow eating guidelines (69.0 percent) 3 - Uncomplicated hypertensive patients showed no more migraines, joint pain and, among women, menopausal status and hormone replacement therapy, and 4 - Of those who had pressure control (< 140/90 mmHg), 61.9 percent were uncomplicated hypertensive patients; and 5 - Complicated hypertensive patients were not aware that treatment can prevent kidney problems and they thought that young people do not have high blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Complicated hypertensive patients showed more negative structural and psychosocial characteristics, more negative attitudes towards treatment and are unaware of the disease.

Hipertensão arterial na cidade de São Paulo: prevalência referida por contato telefônico / Hypertension in the city of São Paulo: self-reported prevalence assessed by telephone surveys

FUNDAMENTO: Pouco se conhece sobre a prevalência da hipertensão arterial na cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil. OBJETIVO: Identificar a prevalência da hipertensão referida na cidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Realizaram-se 613 entrevistas por telefone, a partir das listas residenciais do sistema de telefonia fixa. A amostra foi calculada com prevalência estimada de hipertensão em 20,0 por cento. RESULTADOS: A prevalência referida de hipertensão foi de 23,0 por cento e 9,0 por cento dos entrevistados referiram que o valor de sua última medida da pressão foi maior que 140/90 mmHg, porém não tinham conhecimento de que eram hipertensos, totalizando uma prevalência de 32,0 por cento. Os hipertensos referiram que: 89,0 por cento fazem tratamento e 35,2 por cento estavam controlados; 27,0 por cento faltam às consultas; 16,2 por cento deixam de tomar os remédios; 14,8 por cento apresentam história de acidente vascular encefálico, 27,8 por cento cardiopatia e 38,7 por cento hipercolesterolemia; 71,2 por cento receberam orientação para diminuir sal, 64,6 por cento para realizar atividade física, 60,0 por cento para perder peso e 26,2 por cento para controlar estresse; e 78,9 por cento mediam a pressão regularmente. Houve relação estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05) para: 1) faltar às consultas com maior tempo de tratamento e acompanhamento irregular de saúde; 2) deixar de tomar os remédios com tabagismo, etilismo e a não realização de acompanhamento de saúde; 3) realizar tratamento para hipertensão com dislipidemia, idade mais elevada e maior tempo de uso de anticoncepcional, no caso das mulheres; e 4) índice de massa corporal alterado com presença de diabete, hipercolesterolemia, pressão sistólica não controlada e uso de mais de um anti-hipertensivo. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência referida de hipertensão na cidade de São Paulo assemelha-se à prevalência identificada em outros estudos.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence of hypertension in São Paulo, Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of self-reported hypertension in the city of São Paulo. METHODS: There were 613 telephone interviews using directories of household landlines. The sample was calculated with an estimated prevalence of hypertension in 20.0 percent. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported hypertension was 23.0 percent and 9.0 percent of respondents reported that the value of their last pressure measurement was greater than 140/90 mmHg, but they were unaware that they were hypertensive, with a total prevalence 32.0 percent. Hypertensive patients reported that: 89.0 percent were under treatment and 35.2 percent were controlled; 27.0 percent miss medical appointments; 16.2 percent stop taking drugs; 14.8 percent have a history of stroke; 27.8 percent had heart disease and 38.7 percent had hypercholesterolemia; 71.2 percent received advice to reduce salt, 64.6 percent to perform physical activity, 60.0 percent to lose weight loss and 26.2 percent to control stress; and 78.9 percent measured pressure regularly. There was a statistically significant relation (p < 0.05) for: 1) missing medical appointments with longer treatment and irregular health monitoring; 2) stop taking the drugs with smoking, alcohol and failure to monitore health; 3) carry out treatment for hypertension with dyslipidemia, higher age and longer use of contraceptives for women; and 4) body mass index changed with diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, uncontrolled systolic blood pressure and use of more than one anti-hypertension drug. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-reported hypertension in the city of São Paulo resembles the prevalence found in other studies.

Controle da pressão arterial em pacientes sob tratamento anti-hipertensivo no Brasil: Controlar Brasil / Control of arterial pressure in patients undergoing anti-hypertensive treatment in Brazil: Controlar Brazil

FUNDAMENTO: O controle da pressão arterial (PA) é fundamental na hipertensão arterial (HA). OBJETIVO: Conhecer o porcentual de pacientes exigindo metas específicas de controle da PA, atendidos em consultórios no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Cada pesquisador, em número de 291, deveria avaliar, por medida convencional da PA, em cinco dias consecutivos, os dois primeiros pacientes atendidos. Determinou-se o número de hipertensos tratados por, pelo menos, quatro semanas, e com controle da pressão arterial, de acordo com as metas desejadas para o grupo de risco a que pertenciam. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 2.810 pacientes, em 291 centros. Os indivíduos obedeceram à seguinte distribuição, por grupo: A (HA estágios 1 e 2, risco adicional baixo e médio) = 1.054 (37,51 por cento); B (HA e PA limítrofe, risco adicional alto) = 689 (24,52 por cento); C (HA e PA limítrofe risco adicional muito alto, incluindo diabéticos) = 758 (26,98 por cento) e D (HA com nefropatia e proteinúria > 1 g/l) = 309 (11 por cento). As médias de PA na população foram: 138,9 ± 17,1 e 83,1 ± 10,7 mmHg. Fatores relacionados ao menor controle da PA: idade, circunferência abdominal, diabete, tabagismo e doença coronariana. Os porcentuais de controle da PA em cada um dos grupos foram, respectivamente: 61,7; 42,5; 41,8 e 32,4. CONCLUSÃO: O baixo controle da PA segundo as metas predefinidas, como explicitado nos resultados, reforça a necessidade de medidas que promovam melhores taxas de controle.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) control is crucial in arterial hypertension (AH). OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of patients requiring specific BP control goals treated in medical offices throughout Brazil. METHODS: Each researcher, from a total number of 291, had to evaluate, through conventional BP measurement performed during five consecutive days, the two first patients treated on that day. We determined the number of hypertensive patients treated for at least four weeks who presented BP control, according to the goals established for the risk group they belonged to. RESULTS: A total of 2,810 patients were assessed in 291 centers. The individuals were divided in groups as follows: A (AH stages 1 and 2, low and moderate additional risk) = 1,054 (37.51 percent); B (AH and borderline BP, high additional risk ) = 689 (24.52 percent); C (AH and borderline BP, very high additional risk, including diabetic patients) = 758 (26.98 percent) and D (AH with nephropathy and proteinuria > 1 g/l) = 309 (11 percent). The BP means in the population were: 138.9 ± 17.1 and 83.1 ± 10.7 mmHg. Factors associated with a worse BP control were: age, abdominal circumference, diabetes, smoking and coronary disease. The BP control percentages in each of the groups were, respectively: 61.7; 42.5; 41.8 and 32.4 percent. CONCLUSION: The low BP control according to the predefined goals, as demonstrated in the results, reinforces the necessity to establish measures to promote better control rates.

How to avoid discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment: The experience in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the importance of providing guidelines to patients via active telephone calls for blood pressure control and for preventing the discontinuation of treatment among hypertensive patients. INTRODUCTION: Many reasons exist for non-adherence to medical regimens, and one of the strategies employed to improve treatment compliance is the use of active telephone calls. METHODS: Hypertensive patients (n=354) who could receive telephone calls to remind them of their medical appointments and receive instruction about hypertension were distributed into two groups: a) "uncomplicated" - hypertensive patients with no other concurrent diseases and b) "complicated" - severe hypertensive patients (mean diastolic >110 mmHg with or without medication) or patients with comorbidities. All patients, except those excluded (n=44), were open-block randomized to follow two treatment regimens ("traditional" or "current") and to receive or not receive telephone calls ("phone calls" and "no phone calls" groups, respectively). RESULTS: Significantly fewer patients in the "phone calls" group discontinued treatment compared to those in the "no phone calls" group (4 vs. 30; p<0.0094). There was no difference in the percentage of patients with controlled blood pressure in the "phone calls" group and "no phone calls" group or in the "traditional" and "current" groups. The percentage of patients with controlled blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg) was increased at the end of the treatment (74 percent), reaching 80 percent in the "uncomplicated" group and 67 percent in the "complicated" group (p<0.000001). CONCLUSION: Guidance to patients via active telephone calls is an efficient strategy for preventing the discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment.

Acute and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on ambulatory blood pressure

Hypertension is a ubiquitous and serious disease. Regular exercise has been recommended as a strategy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension because of its effects in reducing clinical blood pressure; however, ambulatory blood pressure is a better predictor of target-organ damage than clinical blood pressure, and therefore studying the effects of exercise on ambulatory blood pressure is important as well. Moreover, different kinds of exercise might produce distinct effects that might differ between normotensive and hypertensive subjects. The aim of this study was to review the current literature on the acute and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on ambulatory blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. It has been conclusively shown that a single episode of aerobic exercise reduces ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Similarly, regular aerobic training also decreases ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. In contrast, data on the effects of resistance exercise is both scarce and controversial. Nevertheless, studies suggest that resistance exercise might acutely decrease ambulatory blood pressure after exercise, and that this effect seems to be greater after low-intensity exercise and in patients receiving anti-hypertensive drugs. On the other hand, only two studies investigating resistance training in hypertensive patients have been conducted, and neither has demonstrated any hypotensive effect. Thus, based on current knowledge, aerobic training should be recommended to decrease ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, while resistance exercise could be prescribed as a complementary strategy.

Intra-arterial blood pressure response in hypertensive subjects during low- and high-intensity resistance exercise

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe blood pressure responses during resistance exercise in hypertensive subjects and to determine whether an exercise protocol alters these responses. INTRODUCTION: Resistance exercise has been recommended as a complement for aerobic exercise for hypertensive patients. However, blood pressure changes during this kind of exercise have been poorly investigated in hypertensives, despite multiple studies of normotensives demonstrating significant increases in blood pressure. METHODS: Ten hypertensive and ten normotensive subjects performed, in random order, two different exercise protocols, composed by three sets of the knee extension exercise conducted to exhaustion: 40 percent of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) with a 45-s rest between sets, and 80 percent of 1RM with a 90-s rest between sets. Radial intra-arterial blood pressure was measured before and throughout each protocol. RESULTS: Compared with normotensives, hypertensives displayed greater increases in systolic BP during exercise at 80 percent (+80±3 vs. +62±2 mmHg, P<0.05) and at 40 percent of 1RM (+75±3 vs. +67±3 mmHg, P<0.05). In both exercise protocols, systolic blood pressure returned to baseline during the rest periods between sets in the normotensives; however, in the hypertensives, BP remained slightly elevated at 40 percent of 1RM. During rest periods, diastolic blood pressure returned to baseline in hypertensives and dropped below baseline in normotensives. CONCLUSION: Resistance exercise increased systolic blood pressure considerably more in hypertensives than in normotensives, and this increase was greater when lower-intensity exercise was performed to the point of exhaustion.

Adesão ao tratamento em hipertensão arterial sistólica isolada: [revisão] / Adhesion to the treatment in systolic hypertension: [review]

O arsenal terapêutico para doenças crônicas, como hipertensão arterial, recebe frequentemente novos medicamentos. Entretanto, mesmo com todo esse investimento, quem trata de pacientes com essas condições continua esbarrando em um problema secular, a falta de adesão à terapêutica, seja ela medicamentosa ou não. Em relação à hipertensão arterial sistólica isolada garantir a adesão é ainda mais difícil, porque é condição relacionada à faixa etária mais avançada. Neste grupo de pacientes, vários fatores agem para levar a pior adesão, desde limitações do paciente, necessidade de cuidadores e prescrições com muitos itens. Abordar o tema adesão em pacientes com essas peculiaridades requer visão individualizada, mas multiprofissional.

New drugs frequently enlarge therapeutic arsenal for chronic illnesses as hypertension. Despite all this investment, who deals with patients with these conditions, continues with a secular problem, the lack of adhesion to prescription. With regard to the systolic hypertension, to guarantee the adhesion is still more difficult because this condition is far more common in elderly. In this group of patients some factors act to take to worse adhesion, since patient’s limitations, caregivers’ need and a great number of medications. To approach the adhesion in patients with these peculiarities requires a differentiated view, but multiprofessional.

Health-related quality of life and blood pressure control in hypertensive patients with and without complications

INTRODUCTION: The goal of antihypertensive treatment is to reduce blood pressure without interfering in health-related quality of life (HRQL) OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the influence of hypertension control upon HRQL in hypertensive patients with and without complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven hypertensive outpatients (71% women, 58% white, 60% with elementary school level education, average age 54 ± 8 years) were observed during a 12-month special care program (phase 1: clinical visits every two months, donation of all antihypertensive medications, meetings with a multidisciplinary team, and active telephone calls) and three years of standard care (phase 2: clinical visits every four months, medication provided by the drugstore of the hospital with a two-hour wait and a possible lack of medication, no meetings with a multidisciplinary team or active telephone calls). The patient HRQL was assessed using Bulpitt and Fletcher’s Specific Questionnaire, as well as the SF-36 scores. Hypertensive patients were divided into “with complications” (n=37, diastolic blood pressure great than 110 mm Hg for patients with or without treatment, with clinically evident target-organ or other associated illness) and “without complications” (n=40). The variables studied were quality of life, blood pressure control, hypertension gravity, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: In hypertensive patients with and without complications, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher (p<0.05) in phase 2 of observation (143±18/ 84±11 and 144±21/93±11 mm Hg for patients with and without complications, respectively) relative to phase 1 (128±17/ 75±13 and 128±15/ 83±11mmHg). The proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure (defined as a blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg) decreased from 70% to 49% in the “with complications” group and from 78% to 50% in the “without complications” group during phase 2 of observation...

Reasons for resubmission of research projects to the research ethics committee of a University Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: It is important to know the reasons for resubmitting research projects to the Research Ethics Committee in order to help researchers to prepare their research projects, informed consent forms and needed research documentation. OBJECTIVES: To verify the reasons for resubmitting projects that were previously rejected by the Ethics Committee. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study that evaluated research projects involving human beings. Research projects were submitted in 2007 to the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred and fifty six research projects were submitted to the ethics committee and the average time for evaluating the research projects and related documents until a final decision was reached was 49.95 days. From the total, 399 projects were reviewed in 2 or more meetings until a final decision was reached. Of these, 392 research projects were included in the study; 35 projects were subsequently excluded for involving animals. Among the research projects included, 42.5 percent concerned research with new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests, 48.5 percent consisted of undergraduate students' research projects, 68.9 percent of the research had no sponsorship, and 97.5 percent were eventually approved. The main reasons for returning the projects to the researchers were the use of inadequate language and/or difficulty of understanding the informed consent form (32.2 percent), lack of information about the protocol at the informed consent form (25.8 percent), as well as doubts regarding methodological and statistical issues of the protocol (77.1 percent). Other reasons for returning the research projects involved lack of, inaccuracy on or incomplete documentation, need of clarification or approval for participation of external entities on the research, lack of information on financial support. CONCLUSION: Among the ...

Monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial(MAPA) / Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)

A medida de pressão arterial fidedigna é pré-requisito necessário para a verificação de pacientes com suspeita de elevação da pressão arterial ou com hipertensão arterial estabelecida, a qual assegura o diagnóstico e o manuseio corretos da condição de pressão arterial elevada. É também etapa essencial para determinar apropriadamente a necessidade para o tratamento anti-hipertensivo e sua eficácia, tanto quanto para estimar o risco do desenvolvimento de complicações relacionadas à hipertensão. A abordagem usual para a medida da pressão arterial na prática diária está fundamentada em leituras convencionais auscultatórias obtidas no ambiente médico. Apesar de sua comprovada utilidade clínica, agora, sabe-se que tal abordagem sofre numerosas limitações e número crescente de investigações sugere que o uso da pressão arterial fora do consultório complementa as leituras da pressão arterial, podendo melhorar significativamente o manuseio do paciente. Ainda permanecem controvérsias, por exemplo, qual parâmetro da monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) deveria ser usado para diagnosticar a hipertensão ou definir o controle da pressão arterial. A maior vantagem sobre a pressão arterial residencial e de consultório é sua habilidade para medir a pressão arterial durante o sono. A pressão arterial durante o sono pode ser um dos melhores parâmetros para o prognóstico.

The avaibility of accurate blood pressure measurements is a necessary prerequisite to reliably assess patients with suspected blood pressure elevation or with established hypertension that is to ensure correct diagnosis and management of a high blood pressure condition. It is also an essential step to properly determine the need for antihypertensive treatment and its efficacy, as well asto estimate the risk of developing hypertension-related complications. The usual approach to blood pressure measurement in daily practice is based on conventional auscultatory readings obtained in the medical setting. In spite of its proved clinical usefulness, however, such an approach is now acknowledged to suffer from a number of limitations and an increasing number of investigations suggest that the routine use of out-of-office blood pressure, complementing office blood pressure readings, mayadd significant improvements to patient management. Controversy still remains as to what ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) parameter should be used to diagnose hypertension or to define blood pressure control. A major advantage over clinic and home blood pressure is its ability to measure sleep blood pressure. The sleep blood pressure may be one of the best parameters for prognosis.

Monitorização residencial da pressão arterial (MRPA) / Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM

Conhecimentos acumulados ao longo dos anos impossibilitam que, atualmente, o diagnóstico da hipertensão arterial e a avaliação da eficácia da terapia anti-hipertensiva sejam fundamentados única e exclusivamente na pressão arterial de consultório. Métodos de medidas da pressão arterial fora do consultório, como a monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) e a monitorização residencial da pressão arterial (MRPA), devem, obrigatoriamente, fazer parte da abordagem de pacientes hipertensos, sob pena de se omitir as melhores evidências para o manejo clínico dos pacientes. Este artigo buscará, de maneira prática e objetiva, fornecer subsídios para a correta realização da MRPA, revisando aspectos técnicos para a realização da monitorização, bem como discutindo suas principais indicações clínicas, a fim de que essa metodologia possa ser utilizada de modo mais proveitoso possível.

Knowledge accumulated over the years shows that currently the diagnosis of hypertension and the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy can not be based exclusively on the office blood pressure measurement. Blood pressure measurement outside the office as Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM) must be part of the approach of hypertensive patients, otherwise we are omitting the best evidence for the clinical management of these patients. This article is going to show, practically and objectively, subsidies for the correct implementation of HMBP, reviewing technical aspects to carry out the monitoring, as well discussing its major clinical indications, so that this methodology can beused in the most beneficial manner possible.