Age and Sex Differences in the Contribution of Mean Arterial Pressure to Pulse Pressure Before Middle Age.

INTRODUCTION: A lower ability to buffer pulse pressure (PP) in the face of increasing mean arterial pressure (MAP) may underlie the disproportionate increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in women from young adulthood through middle-aged relative to men. AIM: To evaluate the contribution of MAP to the change in PP and pressure wave contour in men and women from young adulthood to middle age. METHODS: Central pressure waveform was obtained from radial artery applanation tonometry in 312 hypertensive patients between 16 to 49 years (134 women, mean age 35 ± 9 years), 185 of whom were on antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: Higher MAP levels (≥ 100 mmHg) were significantly associated with higher brachial and central SBP (P < 0.001), PP (P < 0.001), incident wave (P = 0.005), AP (P < 0.001), and PWV (P < 0.001) compared to lower MAP levels. The relationship between MAP and brachial PP (P < 0.001), central PP (P < 0.001), incident wave (P < 0.001), and AP (P < 0.01), but not PWV, strengthens with age. The age-related increase in the contribution of MAP to brachial PP (P < 0.001), central PP (P < 0.001), and incident wave (P < 0.001) was more prominent in women than in men beginning in the fourth decade. In multiple regression analyses, MAP remained a significantly stronger predictor of central PP and incident wave in women than in men, independent of age, heart rate, and antihypertensive treatment. In turn, age remained a significantly stronger predictor of central PP and incident wave in women than in men, independent of MAP, heart rate, and antihypertensive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Women of reproductive age showed a steeper increase in PP with increasing MAP, despite comparable increases in arterial stiffness in both sexes. The difference was driven by a greater contribution of MAP to the forward component of the pressure wave in women.

Hemodynamic characterization of hypertensive patients with an exaggerated orthostatic blood pressure variation.

Exaggerated orthostatic blood pressure variation (EOV) is a poorly understood phenomenon related to high cardiovascular risk. We aimed to determine whether hypertensive patients with EOV have a distinct hemodynamic pattern, assessed through impedance cardiography. METHODS: In treated hypertensive patients, we measured the cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) in the supine and standing (after 3 minutes) positions, defining three groups according to BP variation: 1) Normal orthostatic BP variation (NOV): standing systolic BP (stSBP)-supine systolic BP (suSBP) between -20 and 20 mmHg and standing diastolic BP (stDBP)-supine diastolic BP (suDBP) between -10 and 10 mmHg; 2) orthostatic hypotension (OHypo): stSBP-suSBP≤-20 or stDBP-suDBP≤-10 mmHg; 3) orthostatic hypertension (OHyper): stSBP-suSBP≥20 or stDBP-suDBP≥10 mmHg. We performed multivariable analyses to determine the association of hemodynamic variables with EOV. RESULTS: We included 186 patients. Those with OHyper had lower suDBP and higher orthostatic SVRI variation compared to NOV. In multivariable analyses, orthostatic HR variation (OR = 1.06 (95%CI 1.01-1.13), p = 0.03) and orthostatic SVRI variation (OR = 1.16 (95%CI 1.06-1.28), p = 0.002) were independently related to OHyper. No variables were independently associated with OHypo. CONCLUSION: Patients with OHyper have a distinct hemodynamic pattern, with an exaggerated increase in SVRI and HR when standing.

Validation of a new piezoelectric device for noninvasive measurement of central aortic systolic blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the aortic piezoelectric device for noninvasive measurement of central aortic systolic blood pressure (cSBP) with the SphygmoCor. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A total of 85 participants from both sexes, aged 18-80 years, were stratified into three age groups (<30, 30-60, >60 years), with an equal number of healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients. We performed three cSBP measurements with each device, in an alternate manner, using the Bland-Altman method to determine the level of agreement. The standard of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation for brachial blood pressure evaluation was used for the comparison. RESULTS: The mean cSBPs were 109.3±12.05 and 109.0±12.2 mmHg with the SphygmoCor and the Aortic device, respectively, showing a strong correlation (r=0.98, P<0.001). A mean difference of 0.35±2.43 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.87, P=NS) was obtained with the Bland-Altman method. The 95% limits of agreement was -4.4 to +5.1 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Complying with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation criteria, cSBP measurements obtained with the Aortic and the SphygmoCor devices are equivalent.

Arterial Stiffness in Treated Hypertensive Patients With White-Coat Hypertension.

Arterial stiffness, assessed through pulse wave velocity (PWV), independently predicts cardiovascular outcomes. In untreated persons, white-coat hypertension (WCH) has been related to arterial stiffness, but data in treated patients with WCH are scarce. The authors aimed to determine a possible association between WCH and arterial stiffness in this population. Adult treated hypertensive patients underwent home blood pressure monitoring and PWV assessment. Variables associated with PWV in univariable analyses were entered into a multivariable linear regression model. The study included 121 patients, 33.9% men, median age 67.9 (interquartile range 18.4) years, 5.8% with diabetes, and 3.3% with a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. In multivariable analysis, WCH in treated hypertensive patients remained a determinant of PWV: ß=1.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.1-2.1 [P=.037]; adjusted R2 0.49). In conclusion, WCH is independently associated with arterial stiffness in treated hypertensive patients. Whether this high-risk association is offset by antihypertensive treatment should be further investigated.

La hipertensión no controlada se asocia con hipotensión posprandial / Uncontrolled Hypertension is Associated with Postprandial Hypotension

Introducción: En un estudio previo que incorporó mediciones posalmuerzo al esquema convencional de monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial hemos detectado hipotensión posprandial en alrededor de la cuarta parte de nuestros pacientes hipertensos. Objetivos: Comparar el cambio posprandial de la presión arterial sistólica, y la correspondiente respuesta cronotrópica, en relación con el control de la hipertensión. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron prospectivamente con monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial 140 pacientes hipertensos tratados, mayores de 40 años. El control de la hipertensión se basó en el promedio de la presión arterial matinal y la vespertina, tomando como valor de corte 135/85 mm Hg. Se consideró hipotensión posprandial cuando la presión arterial sistólica disminuyó 20 mm Hg o más respecto del valor preprandial en al menos uno de tres almuerzos. Resultados: Se detectó hipotensión posprandial en el 13,2% (n = 10) de los hipertensos controlados y en el 42,2% (n = 27) de los no controlados (p < 0,001). Después de los almuerzos, la presión arterial sistólica disminuyó en promedio 9,5 ± 10,5 mm Hg (6,4% ± 7,8%) en los hipertensos no controlados y 3,2 ± 7,8 mm Hg (2,6% ± 6,5%) en los controlados (p < 0,001), sin diferencia significativa en la respuesta cronotrópica. Al estratificar a los pacientes por el control de la hipertensión se observó una correlación inversa entre la respuesta posprandial de la frecuencia cardíaca y de la presión arterial sistólica en los controlados (r = -0,24; p = 0,035), sin relación significativa en los no controlados. En el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple, la falta de control de la hipertensión (beta = -0,26; p = 0,002) y el sexo femenino (beta = 0,22; p < 0,001) fueron predictores significativos de la caída posprandial en la presión arterial sistólica, sin influencia significativa de la edad o del número de fármacos antihipertensivos. Conclusión: La falta de control de la hipertensión se asoció con una respuesta circulatoria posprandial anormal que favorece la hipotensión.

Background: In a previous study that incorporated post-lunch measurements to the conventional scheme of home-based blood pressure monitoring, we detected postprandial hypotension in about a quarter of hypertensive patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the postprandial change of systolic blood pressure, and the corresponding chronotropic response, associated to the control of hypertension. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 140 treated hypertensive patients, aged over 40 years, with home-based blood pressure monitoring. The control of hypertension was based on the average morning and evening blood pressure, considering 135/85 mmHg as cutoff value. Postprandial hypotension was defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 20 mmHg with respect to the preprandial value in at least one of three lunches. Results: Postprandial hypotension was found in 13.2% (n=10) of patients with controlled hypertension and in 42.2% (n=27) with uncontrolled hypertension (p<0.001). After lunch, the average decrease of systolic blood pressure was 9.5±10.5 mmHg (6.4%±7.8%) in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and 3.2±7.8 mmHg (2.6%±6.5%) in those with controlled hypertension (p<0.001), with no significant difference in the chronotropic response. After stratifying the patients by hypertension control, the postprandial response of heart rate and systolic blood pressure showed a significant inverse correlation in controlled hypertensive patients (r=-0.24; p=0.035), and a not significant correlation in uncontrolled patients. On the multiple linear regression analysis, lack of blood pressure control (beta=0.26, p=0.002) and female gender (beta=0.22; p<0.001) were significant predictors of a postprandial drop in systolic blood pressure, without a significant influence of age or number of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion: Lack of blood pressure control was associated with an abnormal postprandial circulatory response that predisposes to hypotension.

Home blood pressure profile in very elderly hypertensives: should we use the same thresholds as in younger patients?

We aimed to determine the characteristics of home blood pressure (BP) in very elderly hypertensives. A total of 485 treated hypertensive patients ≥18 years (median age, 70.8 [interquartile range, 18]; 67.2% women) underwent home BP measurements. Characteristics of patients ≥80 and <80 years of age and prevalence of office and home uncontrolled hypertension, isolated morning (IMH), isolated evening, isolated office, and masked hypertension were compared. Very elderly subjects had higher levels of systolic and lower levels of diastolic BP at home, a higher prevalence of home uncontrolled hypertension (68.5% vs. 37.7%; P < .001), masked hypertension (30.6% vs. 14.9%; P = .02), and IMH (19.4% vs. 10.9%; P = .02), and a lower prevalence of isolated office hypertension (8.3% vs. 18.8%; P = .01). When using differential home BP thresholds in the very elderly, determined through the percentile method, statistical differences disappeared, except for IMH. The very elderly depict a particular home BP profile. Benefit from using differential home BP thresholds should be determined in prospective studies.

Meal-induced blood pressure fall in patients with isolated morning hypertension.

We aimed to determine a possible association between isolated morning hypertension (IMH) and meal-induced blood pressure (BP) fall in adult treated hypertensive patients who underwent home BP measurements. A total of 230 patients were included, median age 73.6, 65.2% women. After adjusting for age, sex, number of antihypertensive drugs, office and home BP levels, the association between IMH and meal-induced BP fall was statistically significant. In conclusion, meal-induced BP fall and IMH detected through home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) are independently associated in hypertensive patients. The therapeutic implications of such observation need to be clarified in large-scale prospective studies.

Postprandial hypotension detected through home blood pressure monitoring: a frequent phenomenon in elderly hypertensive patients.

Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is a frequently under-recognized entity associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of PPH detected through home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is unknown. To determine the prevalence and clinical predictors of PPH in hypertensive patients assessed through HBPM. Hypertensive patients of 18 years or older underwent home blood pressure (BP) measurements (duplicate measurements for 4 days: in the morning, 1 h before and 1 h after their usual lunch, and in the evening; OMRON 705 CP). PPH was defined as a meal-induced systolic BP decrease of ≥20 mm Hg. Variables identified as relevant predictors of PPH were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis. In total, 230 patients were included in the analysis, with a median age of 73.6 (interquartile range 16.9) years, and 65.2% were female. The prevalence of PPH (at least one episode) was 27.4%. Four variables were independently associated with PPH: age of 80 years or older (odds ratio (OR) 3.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-8.82), body mass index (BMI) (OR 0.88, 95%CI 0.81-0.96), office systolic BP (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05) and a history of cerebrovascular disease (OR 3.29, 95%CI 1.03-10.53). PPH after a typical meal is a frequent phenomenon that can be detected through HBPM. Easily measurable parameters in the office such as older age, higher systolic BP, lower BMI and a history of cerebrovascular disease may help to detect patients at risk of PPH who would benefit from HBPM.

Determinants of the Morning-Evening Home Blood Pressure Difference in Treated Hypertensives: The HIBA-Home Study.

Background. The morning home blood pressure (BP) rise is a significant asymptomatic target organ damage predictor in hypertensives. Our aim was to evaluate determinants of home-based morning-evening difference (MEdiff) in Argentine patients. Methods. Treated hypertensive patients aged ≥18 years participated in a cross-sectional study, after performing home morning and evening BP measurement. MEdiff was morning minus evening home average results. Variables identified as relevant predictors were entered into a multivariable linear regression analysis model. Results. Three hundred sixty-seven medicated hypertensives were included. Mean age was 66.2 (14.5), BMI 28.1 (4.5), total cholesterol 4.89 (1.0) mmol/L, 65.9% women, 11.7% smokers, and 10.6% diabetics. Mean MEdiff was 1.1 (12.5) mmHg systolic and 2.3 (6.1) mmHg diastolic, respectively. Mean self-recorded BP was 131.5 (14.1) mmHg systolic and 73.8 (7.6) mmHg diastolic, respectively. Mean morning and evening home BPs were 133.1 (16.5) versus 132 (15.7) systolic and 75.8 (8.4) versus 73.5 (8.2) diastolic, respectively. Significant beta-coefficient values were found in systolic MEdiff for age and smoking and in diastolic MEdiff for age, smoking, total cholesterol, and calcium-channel blockers. Conclusions. In a cohort of Argentine medicated patients, older age, smoking, total cholesterol, and use of calcium channel blockers were independent determinants of home-based MEdiff.

[Morning rise in home blood pressure and target organ damage in hypertensive patients]. / Incremento matutino de la presión arterial domiciliaria y daño de organo blanco en paciente hippertensos.

UNLABELLED: The morning blood pressure (BP) rise entails a higher cardiovascular risk. Studies evaluating the association between home BP morning rise and target organ damage are scarce and almost exclusively based on Asians. The aim of our study was to characterize hypertensive patients with morning rise in home BP and to establish a possible association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). METHODS: treated hypertensive patients ≥ 18 years underwent home BP measurements (duplicate measurements for 4 days in the morning, afternoon and evening), and completed a questionnaire regarding risk factors and history of cardiovascular disease. Medical records were reviewed to extract data from grams. A morning rise in systolic home BP was defined as a difference between morning and evening systolic BP averages ≥15 mmHg. Subjects were considered to have LVH if the left ventricular mass index was >95 g/m2 in women and >115 g/m2 in men. Variables identified as relevant predictors of home BP morning rise were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis model. RESULTS: 216 patients were included, mean age 68 (+13.3), 69.4% women and 99.1% Caucasians. The prevalence of BP morning rise was 13.4% and independently associated factors were LVH (OR 3.5; 95%CI 1.1-11.4), age (OR 1.05; 95%CI 1.003-1.1) and a history of cerebrovascular disease (OR 3.9; 95%CI 1.1-14.2). In conclusion, a morning rise in systolic BP detected through home BP monitoring is independently associated with LVH, age and a history of cerebrovascular disease. The therapeutic implications of this observation need to be clarified in large-scale prospective studies.

El incremento matutino de la presión arterial (IMPA) aumenta el riesgo cardiovascular. Los estudios que evalúan la asociación entre IMPA domiciliaria y daño de órgano blanco son escasos y casi exclusivamente basados en población asiática. Nuestro objetivo fue caracterizar a los pacientes hipertensos con IMPA domiciliaria y establecer una posible asociación con la presencia de hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (HVI). Métodos: se incluyeron hipertensos medicados ≥18 años que realizaron mediciones de PA domiciliaria (4 días de mediciones por duplicado, a la mañana, tarde y noche) y completaron un cuestionario acerca de sus factores de riesgo y antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular. Se revisaron las historias clínicas para extraer datos ecocardiográficos. Se definió como IMPA a una diferencia entre el promedio de PA sistólica domiciliaria matutina ­ vespertina ≥15 mmHg. Se consideró que los pacientes tenían HVI si el índice de masa ventricular era >95 g/m2 en mujeres y >115 g/m2 en varones. Las variables identificadas como predictores relevantes de IMPA fueron introducidos en un modelo multivariado de regresión logística. Resultados: se incluyeron 216 pacientes, con una edad media de 68 (+13,3) años, 69,4% mujeres y 99,1% caucásicos. La prevalencia de IMPA fue de 13,4% y las variables independientemente asociadas fueron HVI (OR 3,5; 95%CI 1,1-11,4), edad (OR 1,05; 95%CI 1,003-1,1) y antecedente de enfermedad cerebrovascular (OR 3,9; 95%CI 1,1-14,2). En conclusión, el IMPA evaluado por monitoreo domiciliario presenta asociación independiente con HVI, edad y antecedentes de enfermedad cerebrovascular, debiendo esclarecerse las implicancias terapéuticas de esta observación en estudios prospectivos a gran escala.

Predictors of masked hypertension among treated hypertensive patients: an interesting association with orthostatic hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Masked hypertension (MH) entails an increased cardiovascular risk. Therefore, it is important to identify those individuals who would benefit the most from out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement. We sought to determine the prevalence and identify predictors of MH among adult hypertensive patients under treatment. METHODS: Treated hypertensive patients aged ≥ 18 years underwent office (duplicate sitting and standing BP in 1 visit) and home BP measurements (duplicate measurements for 4 days in the morning, afternoon, and evening; at least 16 measurements) and completed a questionnaire regarding risk factors and history of cardiovascular disease. MH was defined as normal office BP (<140/90mm Hg) with elevated home BP (≥135/85mm Hg, average of all readings discarding first day measurements). Patients with a systolic BP rise upon standing ≥5mm Hg were considered to have orthostatic hypertension (OHT). Variables indentified as relevant predictors of MH were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis model. RESULTS: Three hundred and four patients were included (mean age = 66.7 ±13.8; 67.4% women). The prevalence of MH in the whole population was 12.4% and was 20.9% among patients with office-controlled hypertension. Factors independently associated with MH were age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.14), high-normal office systolic BP (OR = 5.61, 95% CI = 1.39-22.57), history of peripheral artery disease (PAD) (OR = 8.83, 95% CI = 1.5-51.84), moderate alcohol consumption (OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01-0.73), and OHT (OR = 3.65, 95% CI = 1.27 to 10.51). CONCLUSIONS: Easily measurable parameters such as age, office systolic BP, history of PAD, and OHT may help to detect a population at risk of MH that would benefit from home BP monitoring.

Prevalence and clinical profile of resistant hypertension among treated hypertensive subjects.

We assessed prevalence and clinical characteristics of resistant hypertension (RH) and prevalence of false RH (white-coat effect [WCE] by home blood pressure [BP] monitoring), among a population of 302 treated hypertensive patients, mean age 66.6 (± 13.8), 67.5% women. Resistant hypertension was defined according to the American Heart Association criteria. Prevalence of RH was 10%, and the following five variables were independently associated with it: body mass index, diabetes, isolated systolic hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, and use of beta-blockers. Prevalence of WCE among subjects with office-RH was 27.6%. Our study identified easily measurable parameters related to RH. Standing BP should be systematically measured in individuals with RH.

[Reproducibility and reliability of a 4-day HBPM protocol with and without first day measurements]. / Reproducibilidad y confiabilidad de un protocolo de 4 días de monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial con y sin exclusión del primer día.

HBPM guidelines state that morning and evening measurements should be recorded and, to improve stability, the first day of measurements should be discarded. Our objective was to assess the reproducibility and reliability of a 4-day HBPM protocol with and without first day measurements. We analyzed a retrospective cohort of ambulatory patients who required a HBPM for diagnostic purposes or evaluation of treatment efficacy. A 4-day protocol was implemented, with daily duplicate measurements in the morning, afternoon and evening, using an OMRON 705 CP validated equipment. HBPM reproducibility was quantified by test-re-test correlations and standard deviation of differences (SDD) between BP measurements obtained during the entire 4 days, with and without exclusion of the first day. The reliability criterion was the stabilization of the mean and standard deviation (SD). We included 353 subjects with a total of 8224 BP recordings (median of 24 recordings per patient). We found a strong test-re-test correlation between days 1 to 4, which improved when we excluded the first day (p<0.001). We also found a reduction of the mean BP when we increased the number of days and a reduction of SDD when we excluded day 1. Therefore, we conclude that the exclusion of the first day of measurements improves the reproducibility and reliability of a 4-day protocol, and such two factors are not affected by the inclusion of afternoon measurements.

Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in an elderly population.

BACKGROUND: Currently, total hyperhomocysteinemia (tHHcy) is a well-known condition linked to a higher risk of vascular disease. Prevalence of HHcy increases in elderly persons as the risk associated with it persists. Because factors can be potentially reduced in the elderly, it is important to carry out epidemiologic studies of HHcy. PROCEDURE: Previously we described the prevalence of hypertension control in an elder population; now, in an observational cross-sectional simple blind study, total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration was determined in 196 of 400 patients from the original cohort. RESULTS: Mean Hcy concentration was 13.2 ,amol/L (95% confidence interval 12.4-14.0; range, 5.0 to 48.9); 15.0 ,imol/L for men and 12.3 pAmol/L for women. Mean serum folic acid levels were 4.9 + 3.1 ng/mL (range, 2.0 to 20.0 ng/mL), and vitamin B12 levels were 384.8 314.1 pg/mL (range, 48.0 to 1500.0 pg/mL). Taking into account the reference values established by the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III study, HHcy was detected in 69.8% of all the subjects evaluated. The study showed that 76.2% of the men and 66.4% of the women had high Hcy levels. CONCLUSIONS: The very high prevalence of tHHcy in the elderly population, and the consequent risks associated with it suggest that although there are no trials that effectively prove the benefit of tHcy decrease, nutritional intervention is still justified.