24-hour blood pressure profile in centenarians

OBJECTIVE: Ambulatory blood pressure in the elderly has been studied in the past, the age range most frequently examined being 65 to 80 years. The present study was aimed at determining 24-h blood pressure means and profile in centennial human beings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sphygmomanometric blood pressure (average of three values) and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurements were performed in 16 centennial subjects (age 101.7 0.4 years, mean SEM) and in 20 healthy normotensives aged 80.7 1.1 years. All subjects were in good clinical and mental conditions for their age. They had no history, signs or symptoms of cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular diseases and were under no drug treatment. RESULTS: In the centennial group sphygmomanometric blood pressure amounted to 131.2 3.0/70.7 2.2 mmHg (systolic/diastolic) and 24-h blood pressure and heart rate average values to 125.6 +/- 3.4/64.8 2.0 mmHg and 77.5 4.3 bpm, respectively. Blood pressure and heart rate showed no difference between daytime and night-time values, i.e. night-time was accompanied by no blood pressure and heart rate fall. In contrast, in all subjects, a significant reduction in blood pressure was observed during the post-prandial period, with no significant heart rate changes. In the octogenarian group, sphygmomanometric and 24-h blood pressure averages were 146.6 4.4/82.8 2.2 and 131.8 2.5/75.3 1.6 mmHg, respectively, with a clearcut reduction in night-time as well as in post-prandial values. CONCLUSIONS: In centenarians 24-h blood pressure values are: (1) lower than sphygmomanometric blood pressures and (2) slightly less than in subjects aged 80 years. At variance with these subjects, however, in centenarians nocturnal hypotension and bradycardia are abolished, presumably because of a derangement in the central sleep influences on the cardiovascular system.     

Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in patients with resistant hypertension

The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of 24-hour blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitoring in patients with "resistant" hypertension. 30 patients (44.1 +/- 9.9 years) with diastolic BP 100 mm Hg or more in spite of treatment with three or more antihypertensive drugs were studied. Ambulatory recording of BP and HR was performed by means of Del Mar Avionics monitoring system 9000. Mean recording time was 21.5 hours and mean number of measurements during one recording--56.7. Mean ambulatory systolic and diastolic BP values were significantly lower than mean value of three casual measurements (146.0 +/- 24.6 vs 171.5 +/- 21.2 mm Hg for systolic and 97.2 +/- 11.3 vs 110.4 +/- 7.5 mm Hg for diastolic BP p less than 0.01) In 14 (46.6%) systolic BP and in 10 patients (33.3%) diastolic BP were normal. The patients with normal and abnormal ambulatory BP recordings did not differ in regard to age and mean clinic BP levels. However, patients with abnormal ambulatory BP recordings were more often overweight and showed a greater frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy and family history of hypertension and its complications. The results of the study show that ambulatory BP monitoring may be of value in assessing the response to antihypertensive treatment in patients with so called resistant hypertension as judged on the basis of clinic pressure.     

Experience with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hypertension

Traditional sphygmomanometric blood pressure measurements may lead to errors in the diagnosis of arterial hypertension due to a number of factors, among which are the alerting reaction and pressor response induced in patients by the doctor's visit. This phenomenon, as quantified in our laboratory by continuous intraarterial recordings, is responsible for an average rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 27/15 mm Hg, a rise that does not seem to be reduced by simply desensitizing the patient by means of more frequent physician visits. Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may theoretically improve the diagnostic approach to hypertensive patients by overcoming some limitations of isolated cuff measurements. In recording intraarterial blood pressure in 108 ambulant hypertensive subjects, we have found that 24-hour blood pressure values are able to discriminate among patients with different degrees of target organ damage better than isolated sphygmomanometric readings. Moreover, these studies have indicated that 24-hour blood pressure variability may be as important as blood pressure mean values in the assessment of cardiovascular complications. In clinical practice, however, intraarterial blood pressure monitoring is not feasible, and only noninvasive recorders can be used. Use of these devices does not induce any alerting reaction in the patients and does not interfere with day-night blood pressure changes. Although it is characterized by intermittent readings, this approach is not incompatible with a precise estimate of 24-hour blood pressure mean values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

24-hour blood pressure in primary and secondary hypertension

The blood pressure is subject to physiological day-night fluctuations, which can be attenuated in secondary hypertension as well but not in essential hypertension. In this study, the blood pressure profile over 24 hours was determined in a large collective of patients with primary and secondary hypertension for comparison to assess the relevance of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in secondary hypertension. There were 88 patients with essential hypertension (age 20 to 73 years) and 80 patients with secondary hypertension (age 19 to 70 years) with a mean blood pressure value from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. greater than 135 mm Hg. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored for 24 hours. In 58/80 patients with secondary hypertension renal parenchymal disease was present, 14 had renovascular disease, three had Cushing's syndrome, four had primary hyperaldosteronism and one had a pheochromocytoma. Of the 88 patients with essential hypertension 67, and of the 80 patients with secondary hypertension 69 were on antihypertensive treatment. The measurements were carried out with a portable automatic ambulatory monitor unit (SpaceLabs 90202) between 6 a.m. and midnight at intervals of 15 minutes and from midnight to 6 a.m. at intervals of 30 minutes. The duration of sleep was documented. In patients with secondary hypertension, as compared with patients with essential hypertension, there were higher blood pressure values during the night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and during sleep (Table 1). The profile of the hourly mean values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Figure 1) shows that patients with secondary hypertension, as compared with patients with essential hypertension, have a clearly diminished blood pressure reduction during the night.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

糖尿病患者心自主神经系统功能与24 小时动态血压变化关系的探讨

目的 探讨偶测血压正常的糖尿病（ＤＭ）患者心自主神经系统功能（ＡＮＳＦ）状况与２４小时动态血压（２４小时ＡＭＢＰ）的变化关系。方法 对例偶测血压正常的ＤＭ患者进行心率功率谱分析及２４小时ＡＭＢＰ检测。结果 无压力负荷发生率明显高于正常对照组,而昼夜改变百分率明显低于正常对照组,伴工ＡＮ的ＤＭ患者,其２４小时动态收缩压及２４小时ＡＭＢＰ负荷发生率高一伴轻度ＡＮ的ＤＭ患者,昼夜改变百分率低于伴轻度ＡＮ     

24-hour blood pressure behavior in patients with untreated and treated hypertension in comparison with normotensive patients

Blood pressure was continuously monitored over 24 h in 201 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension using a noninvasive method. Measurements were made both before and after 6 months of antihypertensive treatment and the data were compared to results from 100 normotensive patients. The frequency with which blood pressure values above 140/90 mm Hg occurred during the 24-h period proved to be the most reliable parameter for distinguishing between hypertensive and normotensive profiles. The blood pressures of all patients could be normalized (less than 140/90 mm Hg) on single or combined drug therapy as assessed by casual measurement. However, significant differences were observed between the 24-h profiles of the treated patients and the control group. The mean 24-h blood pressure, the mean day and nighttime blood pressures, the mean hourly pressure, and the frequency of increased blood pressure values were all significantly higher in the patients on medication as compared to the normotensive controls. This would suggest that normotension, as defined by the control group, cannot be attained with antihypertensive medication. In conclusion, 24-h continuous blood pressure monitoring allows a better evaluation of blood pressure profiles and consequently, will be of greater value in assessing cardiovascular risk than occasional random measurements.     

Effect of doxazosin GITS on 24-hour blood pressure profile in patients with stage 1 to stage 2 primary hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) on the 24 h blood pressure (BP) profile by ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) in patients with stage 1 to stage 2 primary hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen hypertensive patients-either untreated or after a two-week run-in/washout period-underwent office and ABPM monitoring before and six weeks after an open-label once-daily morning dose of 4 mg of doxazosin GITS, an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist. Fourteen patients responded; three did not. Data analyses refers to the responders: linear analysis demonstrated statistically significant reductions from baseline in daytime, night-time, and total 24 h means for systolic BP (SBP) (7-10 mmHg) and diastolic BP (DBP) (5-10 mmHg) after treatment, with no statistically significant change in heart rate (HR). Rhythm analysis demonstrated statistically significant reductions from baseline in mean mesor (8 mmHg), maximum (6 mmHg) and minimum (10 mmHg) values in SBP, and in mean mesor (5 mmHg), maximum (7 mmHg) and minimum (5 mmHg) values in DBP. Circadian rhythm parameters in BP and HR were not significantly altered by treatment. Treatment with doxazosin GITS was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: A single morning dose of doxazosin GITS at 4 mg significantly reduced ambulatory SBP and DBP throughout a 24 h period while preserving a normal 24 h BP and HR rhythm profile in stage 1 to stage 2 hypertensives.     

Evaluation of the 24-hour blood pressure effects of eprosartan in patients with systemic hypertension

BACKGROUND: Eprosartan is a new nonphenyl angiotensin II receptor blocker, which has been approved for the treatment of hypertension. Although the drug has a relatively short plasma half-life of 5 to 9 h, clinical studies have suggested that its antihypertensive effect persists for 24 h. METHODS: We assessed both the changes in 24-h and trough blood pressure (BP) (last 4 h of the ambulatory BP while the patient was awake) of eprosartan at doses of 600 and 1,200 mg once daily in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ambulatory BP was monitored at placebo baseline and after 8 weeks of double-blind therapy. RESULTS: Two hundred patients randomized in the study with 177 patients completing the trial. The 24-h change in BP from baseline was 0.2/0.1 +/- 1.4/1.0 mm Hg, -7.9/ -5.4 +/- 1.0 mm Hg (P < .0001), and -7.4/-5.0 +/- 0.9 mm Hg (P < .0001) in the placebo, 600-mg eprosartan, and 1,200-mg eprosartan groups, respectively. Changes in trough ambulatory BP showed significant reductions of -6.3/-4.1 +/- 1.6/1.1 mm Hg and -7.7/-5.5 +/- 1.5/1.0 mm Hg for 600 mg of eprosartan and 1,200 mg of eprosartan, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that eprosartan at doses of 600 or 1200 mg significantly reduced BP throughout an entire 24-h dosing period. There were no differences between the 600- and 1,200-mg dose; thus, 600 mg once daily should be the only dose used in the treatment of hypertension with eprosartan.     

高血压人群中24h尿钠钾水平与血压和动脉僵硬度的关系

目的探索高血压人群中尿钠、尿钾和尿钠钾比值水平与血压和动脉僵硬度的关系。方法入选未服用降压药的高血压患者224例,按照标准留取24h尿标本,检测尿钾、尿钠含量和尿钠钾比值。根据24h尿钠水平分为3组,尿钠≤100mmol/24h(A组)、>100～200(B组)和>200mmol/24h组(C组)。对上述患者进行24h动态血压监测和臂踝动脉脉搏波传导速度(baPWV)检查。结果人群平均24h尿钠值为(160.0±69.4)mmol/24h,所对应食盐摄入量为9.6g/d,平均尿钠钾比值为4.8。A、B、C3组人群的平均尿钠值分别为(84.9±12.7)、(147.0±26.7)和(256.1±42.6)mmol/24h,所对应平均摄盐量为5.1、8.8和15.3g/d。C组24h、白昼、夜间收缩压、舒张压明显高于A组(P<0.01)。全人群多元线性回归分析显示,尿钠和钠钾比值与24h收缩压、舒张压以及脉压呈正相关(β值分别为0.221、0.188,0146、0.211,0.136、0.142,均P<0.05)。A、B、C3组人群的baPWV分别为(1621.6±288.3)、(1645.7±301.0)和(1741.9±307.0)cm/s,C组明显高于A组和B组(P=0.032,P=0.046),多元线性回归分析显示,尿钠和钠钾比值是baPWV的独立影响因素(β值分别为0.126,0.158,均P<0.05)。结论尿钠和钠钾比值不仅与血压水平密切相关,而且与baPWV密切相关,这种关系是独立于血压作用之外的。     

Assessment of patients with office hypertension by 24-hour noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

To assess the discrepancy between casual (office) and home blood pressure readings in patients performing home blood pressure monitoring, we analyzed office, home, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rates in 19 patients in a prospective four-week study. After the month of study, the average difference between mean office and manual home blood pressures in this office hypertensive group was 30 +/- 17/20 +/- 6 mm Hg. The blood pressures taken in the office were substantially greater than the 24-hour average blood pressures and ambulatory blood pressures during work or while at home (awake). An analysis of the automatic monitor readings while in the doctor's office and at 15-minute intervals after leaving the office showed a progressive reduction in blood pressure and heart rate during the first hour after leaving the office. A mean 24-hour blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm Hg was found in 13 (68%) patients. These data suggest that patients with office hypertension are usually normotensive but may have a persistent and recurrent pressor response in a medical care setting. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring provides confirmation of not only the office-home disparity, but also suggests that stress other than office visits fails to elicit a hypertensive response.     

Angiotensin II receptor blocker telmisartan: effect on 24-hour blood pressure profile and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension

AIM: To study antihypertensive efficacy of monotherapy with telmisartan and its action on left ventricular myocardium remodeling in patients with hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Telmisartan (40-80 mg/day) was given for 24 weeks to 24 patients aged 37-69 years with I-II degree of blood pressure (BP) elevation and hypertrophy of left ventricular myocardium. Antihypertensive action of telmisartan was assessed by 24-hour BP monitoring. Left ventricular myocardial mass was estimated by echocardiography before and after 24 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Telmisartan equally decreased both diurnal and nocturnal systolic and diastolic BP (by10.4-11.7%), lowered maximal BP during morning hours, and restored initially disturbed 24-hour BP rhythm. Target BP levels were achieved in 16 patients (70%). Therapy with telmisartan was associated with significant 10.9% reduction of left ventricular myocardial mass index (from 151.6-/+5.4 to 135.1-/+5.9 g/m2, p=0,02) at the account of decreased thickness of left ventricular wall. CONCLUSION: These results give reason for the use of telmisartan for the treatment of patients with hypertensive disease and left ventricular hypertrophy.     

Early 24-hour blood pressure elevation in normotensive subjects with parental hypertension

Subjects with a family history of parental hypertension are reported to have a slightly higher office blood pressure in the prehypertensive stage. Whether this reflects a hyperreactivity to blood pressure measurement or a more permanent blood pressure elevation, however, is not known. In the present study, blood pressure was measured in 15 normotensive subjects whose parents are both hypertensive (FH++), 15 normotensive subjects with one hypertensive parent (FH(+)-), and 15 normotensive subjects whose parents are not hypertensive (FH--); among the three groups, subjects were matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The measurements were made in the office during a variety of laboratory stressors and during a prolonged resting period, and for a 24-hour period (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring). Office blood pressure was higher in the FH++ group than in the FH-- group (p less than 0.05). The pressor responses to laboratory stressors were similar in the two groups, but the FH++ group had higher prolonged resting and 24-hour blood pressure than the FH-- group; the difference was always significant (p less than 0.05) for systolic blood pressure. The FH++ group also had a greater left ventricular mass index (on echocardiographic examination) than the FH-- group (p less than 0.01). The blood pressure values and echocardiographic values of the FH(+)- group tended to be between those of the other two groups. Thus, the higher blood pressure shown by individuals in the prehypertensive stage with a family history of parental hypertension does not reflect a hyperreactivity to stress but an early permanent blood pressure elevation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

24-hour blood pressure recording in patients with orthostatic hypotension

Continuous intra-arterial blood pressure measurement and electrocardiograms were obtained in two ambulatory patients with orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic dysfunction. Systolic and diastolic arterial pressure presented marked variations which took place mainly during the day and were related to several physical activities; however, marked falls in blood pressure were also observed during sleep and at the moment of arousal. A peak incidence of hypotensive events was found in the afternoon, mainly in the hours following the afternoon meal. Recording was repeated after 3 weeks of treatment with propranolol, 40 mg t.i.d. In patient 1, beta blockade drastically reduced the number and severity of hypotensive episodes, while propranolol failed to control blood pressure in patient 2, who experienced a higher number of hypotensive events during treatment. Findings of this study may be relevant to the management of patients with orthostatic hypotension and should contribute to a more accurate characterization of blood pressure profile in autonomic dysfunction.     

Weather-related changes in 24-hour blood pressure profile: effects of age and implications for hypertension management

A downward titration of antihypertensive drug regimens in summertime is often performed on the basis of seasonal variations of clinic blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about the actual interaction between outdoor air temperature and the effects of antihypertensive treatment on ambulatory BP. The combined effects of aging, treatment, and daily mean temperature on clinic and ambulatory BP were investigated in 6404 subjects referred to our units between October 1999 and December 2003. Office and mean 24-hour systolic BP, as well as morning pressure surge, were significantly lower in hot (>90th percentiles of air temperature; 136+/-19, 130+/-14, and 33.3+/-16.1 mm Hg; P<0.05 for all), and higher in cold (<10th percentiles) days (141+/-12, 133+/-11, and 37.3+/-9.5 mm Hg; at least P<0.05 for all) when compared with intermediate days (138+/-18, 132+/-14, and 35.3+/-15.4 mm Hg). At regression analysis, 24-hour and daytime systolic pressure were inversely related to temperature (P<0.01 for all). Conversely, nighttime systolic pressure was positively related to temperature (P<0.02), with hot days being associated with higher nighttime pressure. Air temperature was identified as an independent predictor of nighttime systolic pressure increase in the group of elderly treated hypertensive subjects only. No significant relationship was found between air temperature and heart rate. Our results show for the first time that hot weather is associated with an increase in systolic pressure at night in treated elderly hypertensive subjects. This may be because of a nocturnal BP escape from the effects of a lighter summertime drug regimen and may have important implications for seasonal modulation of antihypertensive treatment.     

Verapamil and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension

The antihypertensive effects of oral regular and slow-release verapamil, a calcium-channel blocking agent, were evaluated in 22 patients with mild to moderate hypertension (sitting diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 95 to 112 mm Hg). The dose required to control blood pressure varied from 80 to 120 mg, 3 times a day. All patients received regular verapamil for a further 3 to 4 months, when systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP had risen from the end of the open-label phase. During a double-blind phase patients were randomly assigned to continue the same dose of regular verapamil, 3 times a day, or an equivalent daily dose of sustained-release verapamil (240 to 360 mg once a day). Seven of the 11 patients on regular and 3 of the 11 on sustained-release verapamil were also taking diuretics. This antihypertensive program was continued for at least 4 weeks. During the efficacy period, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was carried out. Mean 24-hour SBP and DBP were 133 +/- 20 and 89 +/- 13 mm Hg, respectively, on regular and 131 +/- 22 and 87 +/- 12 mm Hg, respectively, on sustained-release verapamil. There were no statistically significant differences noted between the 2 groups. Mean SBP and DBP varied similarly during awake and sleep hours with both formulations of verapamil. With regular verapamil, SBP was 139 +/- 18 and 124 +/- 20 mm Hg and DBP 92 +/- 11 and 84 +/- 13 mm Hg during awake and sleep hours, respectively; with sustained release, SBP was 138 +/- 21 and 122 +/- 22 mm Hg and DBP 92 +/- 10 and 80 +/- 10 mm Hg during awake and sleep hours, respectively. Heart rate fell during the entry period and continued during the entire study period. No other adverse effects were noted during the double-blind phase. In summary, verapamil is an effective antihypertensive medication and can be administered once a day as a sustained-release preparation; it is most useful in patients in whom adrenergic blocking drugs are indicated.     

Enhanced 24-hour norepinephrine and renin secretion in young patients with essential hypertension: relation with the circadian pattern of arterial blood pressure

This study examines the possibility that 24-hour differences in blood pressure (BP) regulation between hypertensive and normotensive subjects is related to changes in 24-hour secretory patterns in circulating pressor hormones. Nine young subjects with normal BP and 9 patients with essential hypertension (EH) were studied during 24-hour recumbency. Every 20 minutes samples were taken to determine plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels and plasma renin activity (PRA). BP was measured every 20 minutes by automatic recording. A distinct circadian rhythm was demonstrated for mean BP, NE and PRA in both groups. Nocturnal reductions in mean BP, NE and PRA related best to the sleep-wakefulness cycle in both groups. Circadian changes in mean BP correlated with NE levels in both normal subjects and patients with EH. The most striking difference between the 2 groups was the absolute levels of mean BP, NE and PRA, which were higher in the EH group at most time points in the 24-cycle. Differences in levels of NE and PRA between the 2 groups were most accentuated during sleep. Thus, young persons with EH show evidence of enhanced sympathetic nervous activity throughout the 24-hour cycle, which is most pronounced during sleep. The multiple sampling approach offers a more sensitive indicator of the role of pressor hormones in BP maintenance.     

Impact of obesity on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and hypertension

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and parameters derived from 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring including mean 24-hour daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressures, 24-hour daytime and nighttime pulse pressure, mean 24-hour daytime and nighttime heart rate, dipping and nondipping status. 3216 outpatient subjects who visited our hypertension center and were never treated with antihypertensive medication underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. BMI was significantly correlated with clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Significant correlations were also found between BMI and mean 24-hour daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure, 24-hour daytime and nighttime pulse pressure, and mean 24-hour daytime and nighttime heart rate. In multivariate regression analysis, clinic systolic, diastolic blood pressure, mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure, 24-hour pulse pressure, and high-density lipoprotein were independently correlated with BMI. The incidence of white coat hypertension was higher in overweight and obese patients than in normal weight subjects. Confirmed ambulatory blood pressure hypertension was also found to be higher in overweight and obese individuals compared with normal weight subjects. Our data also highlight the higher incidence of nondipping status in obesity. These findings suggest that obese patients had increased ambulatory blood pressure parameters and altered circadian blood pressure rhythm with increased prevalence of nondipping status.