Effect of hypertension on pulmonary function

ABSTRACT

Thirty hypertensives and ten normal control subjects were included in the study, all had a normal left ventricular systolic function, no clinical or radiological pulmonary disease, fifteen hypertensives had diastolic dysfunction. Echo-Doppler and ventilatory pulmonary function studies were done for all. There was a significant inverse relation between E/A ratio and both the age and level of BP in hypertensive, but a significant direct relation with EF. Hypertensives with normal diastolic function showed a significant decrease in F.E.V[1] and M.V.V. and a significant increase in F.E.V[1]/F.V.C. but still within the normal range. Hypertensives with diastolic dysfunction had a combined obstructive-restrictive ventilatory dysfunction as represented by a significant decrease in V. C, F.V. C, F.E.F and M.V.V. less than normal range. However the effect of hypertension on small airways was insignificant B.P = Blood Pressure E.F = Ejection Fraction F.E.V[1] = Forced Expiratory Volume at the first second M.V.V = Maximal Volantary Ventilation F.V.C. = Forced Vital Capacity. V.C. = Vital Capacity. P.E.F. = Peak Expiratory Flow