Determination of ambulatory blood pressure control in treated patients with controlled office blood pressures

Office blood pressure measurement is the standard for assessing blood pressure control. Many patients, however, take their antihypertensive medication in the morning, so they are likely to have their office blood pressure measured during the maximal antihypertensive effect. It is therefore unknown whether patients deemed by office blood pressure to be controlled do in fact have 24h blood pressure control. The objectives of this study were to determine blood pressure control, including blood pressure control while the patients were awake and during the first 6 hours after awakening, by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in treated hypertensive patients deemed by office blood pressure measurements to be controlled. A total of 103 patients on a stable antihypertensive regimen and deemed to be controlled in terms of office blood pressure values (mean office blood pressure <140/90mmHg) were enrolled. Patients were stratified by cardiovascular risk status and the number of antihypertensive medications that they were taking. Seventy-eight out of 103 participants successfully completed ABPM. The mean ambulatory blood pressure was greater than 135/85mmHg and 140/90mmHg while awake for 37% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26-48%) and 23% (95% CI 14-32%) of all patients respectively. Forty-eight per cent (95% CI 33-63%) of patients taking monotherapy versus 25% (95% CI 11-39%) of patients on multiple antihypertensive medications were uncontrolled (P=0.039) using 135/85mmHg as the reference value. Thirty-one per cent (95% CI, 17-44%) of patients on monotherapy versus 14% (95% CI 3-25%) of patients on multiple antihypertensive medication were uncontrolled (P=0.064) using 140/90mmHg instead. These results demonstrate that a high number of patients deemed by office blood pressure to be under control do not have adequate blood pressure control based on ABPM.     

Antihypertensive efficacy and safety of olmesartan medoxomil compared with amlodipine for mild-to-moderate hypertension

The antihypertensive efficacy of the angiotensin II receptor blocker olmesartan medoxomil has been shown to compare favourably with that of other antihypertensive agents. This randomized, double-blind study compared the antihypertensive efficacy of the starting dose of olmesartan medoxomil with that of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine besylate (amlodipine) in subjects with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Following a 4-week, single-blind, placebo run-in period, 440 subjects aged >/=18 years were randomized to the starting dose of olmesartan medoxomil (20 mg/day), amlodipine (5 mg/day), or placebo for 8 weeks. Subjects were evaluated by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and by seated cuff blood pressure (BP) measurements at trough. The primary end point was the change from baseline in mean 24-h diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by ABPM at Week 8. Secondary end points included change from baseline in mean 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 8 weeks, change from baseline in mean seated trough cuff DBP and SBP measurements, and response and control rates for DBP <90 and <85 mmHg. Control rates for SBP <140 and <130 mmHg were also calculated. Olmesartan medoxomil and amlodipine produced significantly greater reductions in ambulatory and seated DBP and SBP compared with placebo. Mean reductions in ambulatory and seated BP were similar between the two active agents; however, in the olmesartan medoxomil group, significantly more patients achieved the SBP goal of <130 mmHg and the DBP goal of <85 mmHg. Both drugs were well tolerated at the recommended starting dose. Although amlodipine was associated with a higher incidence of oedema, this did not reach statistical significance. Olmesartan medoxomil is an effective antihypertensive agent, with BP-lowering efficacy at the starting dose similar to that of amlodipine, and is associated with more patients achieving the rigorous BP goals of SBP <130 mmHg and DBP <85 mmHg.     

Comparison of noninvasive oscillometric and intra-arterial blood pressure measurements in hyperacute stroke

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare automatic oscillometric blood pressure recordings with simultaneous direct intra-arterial blood pressure measurements in hyperacute stroke patients to test the accuracy of oscillometric readings. METHODS: A total of 51 first-ever stroke patients underwent simultaneous noninvasive automatic oscillometric and intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring within 3 h of ictus. Casual blood pressure was measured in both arms using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer on hospital admission. Patients who received antihypertensive medication during the blood pressure monitoring were excluded. RESULTS: The estimation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) using oscillometric recordings underestimated direct radial artery SBP by 9.7 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 6.5-13.0, P<0.001). In contrast, an upward bias of 5.6 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 3.5-7.7, P<0.001) was documented when noninvasive diastolic blood pressure (DBP) recordings were compared with intra-arterial DBP recordings. For SBP and DBP, the Pearson correlation coefficients between noninvasive and intra-arterial recordings were 0.854 and 0.832, respectively. When the study population was stratified according to SBP bands (group A: SBP160 mmHg and SBP180 mmHg), higher mean DeltaSBP (intra-arterial SBP-oscillometric SBP) levels were documented in group C (+19.8 mmHg, 95% confidence intervals: 12.2-27.4) when compared with groups B (+8.5 mmHg, 95% confidence intervals: 2.7-14.5; P=0.025) and A (+5.9 mmHg, 95% confidence intervals: 1.8-9.9; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Noninvasive automatic oscillometric BP measurements underestimate direct SBP recordings and overestimate direct DBP readings in acute stroke. The magnitude of the discrepancy between intra-arterial and oscillometric SBP recordings is even more prominent in patients with critically elevated SBP levels.     

Relation of arterial pressure level and variability to left ventricular geometry in normotensive and hypertensive adults

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of blood pressure level and variability on left ventricular geometry. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were related to echocardiographic left ventricular geometry in 76 normotensive and 245 hypertensive adults. RESULTS: The differences in SBP and DBP between hypertensive patients with concentric hypertrophy - the most prognostically adverse left ventricular pattern - and those with other ventricular geometric patterns were greater for ambulatory awake and home blood pressure (+8 to +15/+3 to +7 and +11 to +16/+4 to +7 mmHg) than they were for physician-measured clinic bloiod pressure (+7 to +15/0 to +5 mmHg). The white-coat effect (clinic minus ambulatory awake SBP) was greatest in hypertensive patients with eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (17 +/- 19 mmHg) and was least in those with concentric hypertrophy (9 +/- 14 mmHg); no patient with concentric hypertrophy had a normal ambulatory blood pressure. The within-patient SD of awake ambulatory blood pressure was increased in patients with concentric hypertrophny, independent of covariates, as was the dip between ambulatory awake and asleep SBP. In analyses that also considered sex, age, measures of body habitus and clinic blood pressure, left ventricle mass was related most closely to ambulatory awake SBP and relative left ventricular wall thickness was related most closely to ambulatory awake DBP (both P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular geometric adaptations associated with an adverse prognosis were related more strongly to the level and variability of ambulatory blood pressure than theyh were to clinic blood pressure measurements, but were not associated with loss of the nocturnal dip in blood pressure.     

Isolated uncontrolled hypertension at home and in the office among treated hypertensive patients from the J-HOME study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the current status of blood pressure (BP) control as measured at home and in the office, as well as to clarify and compare the prevalence and characteristics of isolated uncontrolled hypertension as measured at home (home hypertension) and in the office (office hypertension). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary care offices in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 3400 patients with essential hypertension (mean age, 66 years; males, 45%) receiving antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: Overall, the mean home systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) was 140/82 mmHg, and the mean office SBP/DBP was 143/81 mmHg. Of the 3400 subjects, 19% had controlled hypertension (home SBP/DBP < 135/85 mmHg and office SBP/DBP < 140/90 mmHg), 23% had isolated uncontrolled home hypertension (home SBP/DBP >/= 135/85 mmHg and office SBP/DBP < 140/90 mmHg), 15% had isolated uncontrolled office hypertension (home SBP/DBP < 135/85 mmHg and office SBP/DBP < 140/90 mmHg), and 43% had uncontrolled hypertension (home SBP/DBP >/= 135/85 mmHg and office SBP/DBP >/= 140/90 mmHg). Compared to controlled hypertension, factors associated with isolated uncontrolled home hypertension included obesity, relatively higher office SBP, habitual drinking, and the use of two or more prescribed antihypertensive drugs. Compared to uncontrolled hypertension, factors associated with isolated uncontrolled office hypertension included female gender, lower body mass index, and relatively lower office SBP. CONCLUSIONS: The use of all four, three of four, or all three predictive factors might be useful for the clinician to suspect isolated uncontrolled home or office hypertension.     

Status of home blood pressure measured in morning and evening: evaluation in normotensives and hypertensives in Japanese urban population.

To assess home blood pressure status in a Japanese urban population, we analyzed home blood pressure values in normotensive subjects determined by casual blood pressure (< 140/90 mmHg), hypertensive subjects without medication (> or = 140/90 mmHg) and treated hypertensive patients. The subjects (468 male, 232 female; mean age 41 years old) were recruited from a company located in Tokyo. Home blood pressure was measured with a semi-automatic device (Omron HEM-759P). Subjects were instructed to perform triplicate morning and evening measurements on 7 consecutive days. In the treated hypertensive group (n = 70), there was a significant difference between morning (139 +/- 12/88 +/- 9 mmHg) and evening (130 +/- 12/79 +/- 8 mmHg) home blood pressure. In the normotensive group (n = 558), however, only the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) component of the home blood pressure was significantly different between morning (115 +/- 13/72 +/- 9 mmHg) and evening (114 +/- 12/68 +/- 8 mmHg). In the nontreated hypertensive group (n = 72), casual blood pressure (145 +/- 14/92 +/- 9 mmHg) was higher than morning (138 +/- 16/89 +/- 11 mmHg) and evening (134 +/- 16/83 +/- 11 mmHg) home blood pressure, but no difference was seen between morning and evening systolic blood pressure (SBP). According to the reference value of the Japanese Society of Hypertension 2004 (SBP > or = 135 mmHg and/or DBP > or = 85 mmHg), 7.2% (systolic) and 8.7% (diastolic) of subjects in the normotensive group were classified as hypertensive by home blood pressure. Casual blood pressure in the treated hypertensive group was normal in 64.3% for SBP and 70.0% for DBP. However, their morning SBP (32.9%), morning DBP (40.0%), evening SBP (10.0%), and evening DBP (17.1%) were classified as hypertensive by home blood pressure. Furthermore, patients who were taking antihypertensive drug(s) only in the morning (n = 52) showed higher morning SBP (6 mmHg, p = 0.086) and morning DBP (6 mmHg, p = 0.005) than patients taking drug(s) by other administration schedules (n = 18), but no difference in evening home blood pressure was observed. In conclusion, a proportion of the subjects defined as normotensive by casual blood pressure were classified as hypertensive by home blood pressure in the present urban population. Furthermore, morning home blood pressure control in the treated hypertensive group classified as under control by casual blood pressure was insufficient, especially in patients who were taking medication only in the morning.     

Comparison between casual blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters in healthy and hypertensive adolescents

Casual blood pressure measurements were compared with mean ambulatory blood pressure values during wakefulness and sleep in 45 normotensive and 30 hypertensive adolescents of both sexes aged 10-18 years. Two sets of auscultatory casual blood pressure were obtained, one in a pediatric office setting (office blood pressure), performed by the physician, and one in the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) unit, performed by a trained nurse, prior to the initiation of ABPM (pre-ABPM blood pressure). In normotensive and hypertensive subjects of both sexes, the mean office systolic blood pressure (SBP) was lower than the mean pre-ABPM SBP, and the mean office diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was lower than the mean pre-ABPM DBP. In normotensive participants, the mean pre-ABPM SBP/DBP was lower than the mean ABPM SBP/DBP while awake, the mean ABPM SBP/DBP during sleep being lower than the mean ABPM SBP/DBP values while awake and the mean pre-ABPM SBP/DBP. No statistical difference was demonstrated between the mean office SBP and the mean ABPM SBP during sleep, the mean ABPM DBP during sleep being lower than the mean office DBP. The hypertensive adolescents presented a blood pressure profile similar to that of the normotensive group, albeit shifted upwards, with no significant difference between the mean pre-ABPM SBP and the mean ABPM SBP while awake but a higher mean pre-ABPM DBP than mean ABPM DBP while awake. This study suggests that, by evaluating the casual blood pressure in different environment/observer situations, the power of casual blood pressure to predict inadequate blood pressure control, manifested as abnormal ABPM parameters, can be enhanced. Our data indicate ABPM to be the method of choice for the early diagnosis and adequate follow-up of adolescent hypertension.     

Effect of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on the diagnosis and cost of treatment for mild hypertension

Detection of mild hypertension by a small number of casual blood pressures may be inaccurate for the determination of average blood pressure. Nonetheless, casual pressures remain the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive patients. We compared casual and noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in a consecutive series of 60 subjects evaluated for possible mild hypertension on the basis of casual pressures. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed on days of usual activity. Correlations between casual systolic and average ambulatory systolic pressures or casual diastolic and average ambulatory diastolic pressures were not significant. Nearly half of the subjects had average ambulatory systolic pressures less than 130 mm Hg. Sixty percent had average ambulatory diastolic pressures less than 85 mm Hg. Nearly 40% had both systolic and diastolic pressures less than those limits. A preliminary analysis of the effects of these results on the short-term cost of antihypertensive treatment was made, assuming that treatment could be withheld from those with average ambulatory pressures less than 130/85 mm Hg. This approach suggests that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring need not increase overall cost, if the results of this evaluation are used in the decision to treat.     

Target-organ damage and cardiovascular risk profile in resistant hypertension. Influence of the white-coat effect

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with resistant hypertension because of the heterogeneity of study designs described in published studies. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of resistant hypertension, the associated cardiovascular risk factors and the degree of target-organ damage, and to analyze the differences between true resistant hypertension (TRH) and white-coat resistant hypertension (WCRH). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients who visited the Hypertension Clinic with resistant hypertension were sequentially included. Resistant hypertension was defined as an average of three measurements of systolic blood pressure, >/= 160 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure >/= 95 mmHg, or both, in patients treated with a triple-drug regimen, over at least 2 months. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and M-mode bi-dimensional echocardiography were performed. WCRH was defined as a mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure 相似文献   

Predictive factors of resistance to antihypertensive treatment

Results of antihypertensive treatment were analyzed in a group of 5,209 hypertensive patients referred in two hypertension Clinics in Paris from 1976 to 1985. Patients were included in the study if they fulfilled the following criteria: 1) at least four visits in the clinic, 2) follow-up period greater than 6 months, 3) initial diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg and/or presence of an antihypertensive treatment. After a mean follow-up period of 43 months, blood pressure was reduced from 177/105 mmHg to 148/89 mmHg. However, in spite of at least two antihypertensive drugs, 16.7 p. 100 of these patients had a diastolic blood pressure above 95 mmHg at the end of the follow-up period and were defined as uncontrolled hypertensives (UH). By comparison with controlled hypertensives (CH), UH patients were more frequently males (67.9 vs 56.6 p. 100, p less than 0.001), had a greater known duration of hypertension (11.6 vs 8.7 years, p less than 0.001), and presented at the first visit with higher blood pressures (188/113 vs 174/103 mmHg, p less than 0.001/p less than 0.001), despite a higher rate of antihypertensive treatment (66.6 vs 53.8 p. cent, p less than 0.001), a higher ponderal index (26.3 vs 25.3/kg/m2, p less than 0.01) and a higher prevalence of end-organ damage (23.2 vs 16.3 p. 100, p less than 0.001). Sokolov index, serum creatinine and uric acid levels were higher among UH than among CH patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

治疗性生活方式干预对高血压病患者动态血压参数的影响

目的:探讨治疗性生活方式干预对轻中度高血压病患者动态血压参数的影响。方法: 收集246例轻中度高血压病患者,随机分为治疗性生活方式干预组（干预组）130例和对照组116例。在降压药物治疗的基础上,干预组进行严格的饮食、锻炼等生活方式干预,对照组进行常规生活方式干预。所有受试者干预前后进行动态血压检测。结果: 干预1年后,干预组24 h、夜间(n)平均血压及白昼(d)收缩压(SBP)下降幅度均显著高于对照组［分别为24hSBP（22±6） mmHg(1 mmHg=0133 kPa) vs.(15±5) mmHg、nSBP(26±14) mmHg vs.(17±10) mmHg、24hDBP(10±7) mmHg vs.(8±5) mmHg、nDBP(11±7) mmHg vs.(9±6) mmHg和dSBP(20±8) mmHg vs.(14±7) mmHg,均P<005］;白昼、夜间的收缩压负荷值下降幅度干预组显著高于对照组［分别为(30±14)mmHg vs.(25±14)mmHg和(43±24)mmHg vs.(31±18)mmHg,均P<005］;血压杓型转归率及血压达标率干预组均显著高于对照组(26% vs. 10%和85% vs. 63%,均P<001)。结论: 治疗性生活方式干预显著降低了24 h（尤其是夜间）血压均值及收缩压负荷,有助于恢复患者的血压昼夜节律。     

Prospective,randomized, open-label,blinded-endpoint (PROBE) designed trials yield the same results as double-blind,placebo-controlled trials with respect to ABPM measurements

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) results from double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC) and prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE) hypertension trials are statistically comparable. METHODS: Two DBPC and three PROBE parallel-group studies were selected from an angiotensin II receptor blocker clinical programme. These were fixed-dose studies involving similar mild to moderate hypertensive patient populations. All used SpaceLabs 90207 ABPM devices, and each comprised a 4-week placebo period and a 4-8-week treatment period. Data from patients receiving telmisartan 80 mg were used to compare the results of DBPC (126 patients) and PROBE (734 patients) trials. The analysis had approximately 87% power to show equivalence between the two design types in terms of ruling out differences of >or= 3 mmHg in SBP and >or= 2 mmHg in DBP. Office blood pressure was also compared. RESULTS: The change from baseline in mean 24-h ambulatory SBP was -12.2 mmHg in DBPC trials and -12.3 mmHg in PROBE trials, a rounded difference of 0.2 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): -1.8, 2.1]. The change from baseline in mean 24-h ambulatory DBP was -7.7 mmHg in DBPC trials versus -7.9 mmHg in PROBE trials, a difference of 0.2 mmHg (95% CI: -1.1, 1.5). Ambulatory pulse pressure results were identical. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, changes in mean 24-h ambulatory blood pressure from the DBPC and PROBE trials in this meta-analysis are statistically equivalent in terms of ruling out a difference of >or= 3 mmHg in SBP and >or= 2 mmHg in DBP. This supports the validity of the PROBE design in assessing antihypertensive efficacy based on blinded ABPM measurements.     

Validation of the SpaceLabs 90207 automatic non-invasive blood pressure monitor in elderly subjects

OBJECTIVE: To validate the SpaceLabs 90207 ambulatory blood pressure monitor in the elderly. METHODS: Eighty-five subjects aged 60-90 years were recruited from hospital inpatients. Using the same-arm sequential measurement technique two observers recorded blood pressure with a mercury sphygmomanometer first and then by using the SpaceLabs 90207 ambulatory monitor. This set of blood pressure readings was performed three times with all 85 subjects supine, sitting and standing. Data were analysed according to the British Hypertension Society protocol. RESULTS: Over the blood pressure range tested the SpaceLabs 90207 device recorded diastolic blood pressure (DBP) satisfactorily, achieving grade A in all body postures, but not systolic blood pressure (SBP; supine D, standing C, sitting C). However, at SBP 相似文献   

Left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive adolescents: analysis of risk by 2004 National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group staging criteria

The National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents recently recommended staging hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescents based on blood pressure severity. The use of blood pressure staging and its corresponding therapeutic approach was examined in this pooled analysis assessing the risk for end-organ damage, specifically left ventricular hypertrophy among hypertensive adolescents stratified by working group criteria. Newly diagnosed hypertensive adolescents and normotensive control subjects similar in age, race/ethnicity, gender, and body mass index completed casual and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements, M-mode echocardiography, and fasting serum laboratories. Hypertensive subjects had higher insulin and cholesterol but similar glucose levels as compared with control subjects. Among subjects with stage 1 HTN by casual blood pressure, 34% had white-coat HTN as opposed to 15% of stage 2 hypertensive subjects. Of the subjects with normal casual measurements, 20% had HTN by ambulatory monitoring. Subjects with stage 2 HTN by casual measurement alone (odds ratio: 4.13; 95% CI: 1.04 to 16.48) and after 24-hour ambulatory confirmation (odds ratio: 7.23; 95% CI: 1.28 to 40.68) had increased odds for left ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, the risk for left ventricular hypertrophy was similar for subjects with masked and confirmed stage 1 HTN, whereas subjects with white-coat HTN had a risk comparable to normotensive subjects. Thus, recommendations that adolescents with stage 2 HTN by casual measurements alone receive medication initially along with therapeutic lifestyle counseling are reasonable, though ambulatory blood pressure monitoring remains a valuable tool for evaluating children with stage 2 HTN, because >10% have white-coat HTN.     

A double blind comparison of perindopril and atenolol in essential hypertension

A multicentre randomised double-blind trial was performed in order to compare the therapeutic efficacy and acceptability of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor perindopril with those of atenolol in mild to moderate hypertension. After one month of placebo, 173 patients with supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 95 and 125 mmHg were randomised to receive perindopril 4 mg once daily or atenolol 50 mg once daily. Monthly assessments were made for three months. Treatment was adjusted at these visits if supine DBP was greater than 90 mmHg; the dose was first doubled (8 mg perindopril or 100 mg atenolol once daily) and then hydrochlorothiazide was added. The pretreatment blood pressure levels were similar in both groups. Supine DBP was 105.5 +/- 0.9 mmHg (n = 85) in the perindopril group and 106.9 +/- 0.9 mmHg (n = 88) in the atenolol group. At the end of the third month, the study target blood pressure (supine DBP less than or equal to 90 mmHg) was achieved in a significantly (P = 0.006) larger percentage of patients in the perindopril group (78%) than in the atenolol group (58%). This appeared to be due to a greater potentiation of the antihypertensive effect by the addition of diuretic to perindopril than to atenolol. The fall in systolic blood pressure was significantly greater in the perindopril group than in the atenolol group (supine: 26.5 +/- 2.0 mmHg vs. 20.6 +/- 2.0 mmHg; P = 0.042) although the fall in DBP was comparable (supine: perindopril 17.4 +/- 0.9 mmHg, atenolol 15.6 +/- 1.1 mmHg; P = 0.195).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship between ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and response of blood pressure in male hypertensive adolescents to exercise

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure in the young has been related to the development of hypertension in adults; hence the importance of identifying adolescents with the risk of developing it.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the response of blood pressure in adolescents to exercise. DESIGN: A prospective and cross-sectional study. METHODS: We classified 101 men aged 13-18 years as obese hypertensive, lean hypertensive, obese normotensive, and lean normotensive. Mean blood pressure and variability were measured with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and expressed as 24 h, awake, and sleeping periods. Treadmill tests were also performed. RESULTS: Hypertensives and obese normotensives had higher ambulatory blood pressure monitoring values (P< 0.0001). Systolic blood pressure during sleep in obese subjects was significantly higher than that in lean usbjects (119.9 +/- 9 versus 113.6 +/- 8 mmHg, P < 0.001, obese hypertensives versus lean hypertensives; and 113.6 +/- 2 versus 103.0 +/- 2 mmHg, P < 0.002, obese normotensives versus lean normotensives) and nocturnal drop of systolic blood pressure was lower in obese subjects. We found a significant correlation between systolic blood pressure during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and systolic blood pressure during moderate and maximal exercise for all periods (P < 0.0001). Blood pressure variability during awake period was higher in subjects with maximum exercise systolic blood pressure >/= 200 mmHg (7.4 +/- 2 versus 6.4 +/- 2%, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Systolic blood pressure measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is related to response of systolic blood pressure to exercise and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can identify groups of subjects at greater than normal risk through their higher blood pressure during sleep. Greater than normal blood pressure variability in adolescents is an indicator of the risk of reaching abnormal exercise values of systolic blood pressure. Higher casual blood pressure than ambulatory blood pressure monitoring values for adolescents should be considered abnormal.     

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after successful repair of coarctation of the aorta at mid-term follow-up

Variations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with normotension at rest after successful surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta were examined using 24 hour ambulatory monitoring at mid-term follow-up. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, m-mode measurements of left ventricle and transmitral Doppler spectrals in 18 patients aged 7.6 +/- 4.5 years after 9 months to 6.1 years (2.5 +/- 1.9 years) following operation were compared with the findings in 18 matched controls. Patients had significantly higher mean systolic blood pressures (24 hours: 115 +/- 10 mmHg, awake: 119 +/- 11 mmHg and asleep: 106 +/- 8 mmHg) than controls (24 hours: 108 +/- 6 mmHg, awake: 112 +/- 7 mmHg and asleep: 101 +/- 7 mmHg) (p = 0.04, 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). Patients had also more systolic blood pressure readings above the 95th percentile for age (24 hours: 28 +/- 20%, awake: 39 +/- 27% and asleep: 12 +/- 14%) than controls (24 hours: 10 +/- 9%, awake: 14 +/- 13% and asleep: 1 +/- 4%) (p = 0.03, 0.002 and 0.007, respectively). No significant difference was found in diastolic blood pressure profiles. There were no significant differences in left ventricular m-mode measurements and diastolic function parameters. Left ventricular mass index was significantly increased in patients (81.7 +/- 28.7 g/m2) compared with controls (64.5 +/- 20.9 g/m2) (p = 0.03). Operation age and post-surgical period did not affect ambulatory blood pressure profiles at mid-term follow-up. Patients who are normotensive at rest after successful surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta show higher systolic blood pressure profiles than healthy children with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at mid-term follow-up. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients operated on for coarctation of the aorta despite their good clinical status is useful to detect and monitor subtle abnormalities of blood pressure.     

Sex differences in casual and ambulatory blood pressure responses to extreme changes in dietary sodium

OBJECTIVE: To compare the awake ambulatory and seated casual blood pressure responses to extreme changes in dietary sodium during a 4-month period between borderline hypertensive men (n = 24, aged 51+/- 7 years) and women (n = 8, aged 47+/- 8 years). METHODS: Seated casual and awake ambulatory (over an average of 9 h, n = 32 readings) blood pressures were recorded at the end of 1-month trials of low (24 +/- mmol/day for men, 32 +/- 19 mmol/day for women) and high (330 +/- 101 mmol/day for men, 298 +/- 76 for women) intakes of dietary sodium. There was a 1-month interim period between the two trial periods and energy and potassium intake were maintained constant over the entire course of the study. RESULTS: Among men, there was a similar average increase in blood pressure on going from the low- to the high-sodium diets according to the two methods of measurement, but among women there was a significant difference between the methods, such that the change in ambulatory blood pressure was less than the change in casual blood pressure. Women's casual blood pressure increased by 14/7 mmHg more than did their ambulatory blood pressure, whereas men's ambulatory blood pressure increased by 5/2 mmHg more than did their casual blood pressure (sex difference P < 0.009 for systolic and P < 0.037 for diastolic blood pressures). Finally, there was at best only modest concordance between changes in casual and ambulatory blood pressures between diets in individual patients, regardless of their sex, although men were more likely to have similar changes in their casual and ambulatory measurements than were women. CONCLUSION: The determination of the sensitivity of blood pressure to dietary sodium intake may depend upon how blood pressure is measured. There may also be an interaction between sex and blood pressure measurement technique that could affect the determination of salt-sensitivity differences between men and women.