Pet ownership and blood pressure in old age

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that pet ownership improves cardiovascular health. This study examines the relation of pet ownership with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, and hypertension in a large sample of older men and women. METHODS: Participants were 1179 community-dwelling men (n = 498) and women (n = 681) age 50-95 years. Participants responded to a 1991-1992 mailed questionnaire ascertaining pet ownership, and they attended a 1992-1996 clinic visit at which systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured and use of antihypertensive medication was validated. Pulse pressure was calculated as SBP minus DBP. Mean arterial pressure was calculated as (SBP+DBP)/2. Body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and information on other potential confounders were obtained. RESULTS: Average age of participants was 70.4 +/- 10.8 years; 30.0% reported current pet ownership. Mean SBP was 137.5 +/- 21.4 mm Hg, and DBP was 76.1 +/- 9.3 mm Hg; 55.6% were hypertensive (SBP >or= 140, DBP >or= 90 or taking hypertension medication). Pet owners were younger and slightly more overweight and they exercised less than nonowners; owners were somewhat more likely to have diabetes and to use beta-blockers. In unadjusted analyses, pet owners had lower SBP, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure, and a reduced risk of hypertension (odds ratio = 0.62; 95% confidence interval = 0.49-0.80). However, after adjustment for age and other confounders, pet ownership was not associated with systolic or diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure or risk of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that pet ownership is not independently associated with blood pressure, vascular reactivity, or hypertension.     

中老年人血压水平与脑卒中患病率及患病风险的相关性研究

目的 研究中老年人群中血压水平与脑卒中患病率及患病风险之间的关系。方法 采用分层整群抽样方法,对扬州市广陵区40岁及以上常住居民开展问卷调查、体格检查和实验室检查。通过对年龄分层,采用单因素和多因素logistic回归分析不同年龄组血压与脑卒中患病率及患病风险的关系。结果 3 999例有效样本中,男性1 904例（47.61%）,女性2 095例（52.39%）;其中脑卒中243例（6.08%）,高血压1 900例（47.51%）,糖尿病929例（23.23%）,血脂异常943例（23.58%）,高血压患者中脑卒中211例（86.83%）。男性（χ2 = 9.539,P = 0.002）、高龄（t = - 13.683,P＜0.001）、缺乏运动（χ2 = 15.568,P＜0.001）、吸烟史（χ2 = 40.799,P＜0.001）、高血压（t = - 9.149,P＜0.001）、高血糖（t = - 6.832,P＜0.001）、低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（t = 3.509,P＜0.001）、肥胖（t = - 4.964,P＜0.001）均是脑卒中重要危险因素。随着年龄和血压的增加,脑卒中的患病率增加。对年龄进行分层,并对危险因素进行校正,60岁以下人群中脑卒中患病风险随血压升高而显著增加;收缩压≥160 mm Hg脑卒中患病风险是收缩压＜130 mm Hg的8.13倍;舒张压≥110 mm Hg脑卒中患病风险是舒张压＜80 mm Hg的28.54倍。60岁及以上人群中收缩压≥150 mm Hg脑卒中患病风险开始增加;收缩压≥160 mm Hg脑卒中患病风险是收缩压＜130 mm Hg的2.12倍;舒张压与脑卒中患病风险之间无显著相关性。结论 高血压是脑卒中的重要危险因素,根据不同的年龄,设定相应的降压目标是有效预防脑卒中的重要途径。     

Effects of Val-Pro-Pro and Ile-Pro-Pro on nondipper patients: a preliminary study

Much clinical evidence on the antihypertensive effects of the milk-derived antihypertensive peptides Val-Pro-Pro and Ile-Pro-Pro (lactotripeptides) has been reported. However, circadian rhythm effects determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) to eliminate the confounding influence of the white-coat effect have not been fully studied. Twelve hypertensive patients not receiving antihypertensive medication (2 men, 10 women; mean age±standard deviation, 63.5±8.3 years) who had been visiting our clinic for more than 1 year participated in this study. Mean (±standard deviation) systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 142.4±2.6 and 83.5±6.4?mm Hg, respectively, at the first office visit. After patients ingested a fermented milk product containing antihypertensive peptides (2.53?mg Val-Pro-Pro; 1.52?mg Ile-Pro-Pro) for more than 4 weeks, both office SBP and DBP were significantly reduced to a mean (±standard deviation) of 133.3±7.0?mm Hg and 76.5±8.4?mm Hg (P<.001 and P<.005 by paired t-test), respectively. The 24-hour SBP and DBP determined by ABPM were reduced from 127.3±2.4 and 78.7±2.3?mm Hg to 120.2±2.4 and 75.0±2.2?mm Hg (P<.001 and P<.05), respectively. Awake-time SBP (08:00-21:00), night-time SBP (0:00-05:00), and early-morning SBP (06:00-07:00) were reduced from 130.9±2.4 to 123.3±2.3?mm Hg, 118.7±2.9 to 113.2±3.4?mm Hg, and 132.8±4.3 to 122.4±3.9?mm Hg (by paired t-test: P<.001, P<.05, and P<.05), respectively. As seen with DBP measured by ABPM, 24-hour DBP and awake-time DBP were significantly reduced from 78.7±2.3 to 75.0±2.2?mm Hg and 82.1±2.5 to 77.3±2.2?mm Hg (P<.05 and P<.01), respectively. Office BP and 24-hour blood pressure did not significantly differ between the dipper and nondipper groups at baseline. However, after treatment, night-time and early-morning blood pressure were significantly reduced from baseline in the nondipper group (-8.5±2.5 and -15.6±3.7?mm Hg; P<.05 and P<.01, respectively) but not in the dipper group (-2.5±3.6 and -1.2±4.7?mm Hg; P not significant), and the reduction in early-morning blood pressure significantly differed between the groups (P<.05). These results suggest that Val-Pro-Pro and Ile-Pro-Pro decrease blood pressure in patients with stage I hypertension and result not only in lower blood pressure at night-time but also in lower early-morning SBP in nondipper patients.     

儿童期血压偏高对成年期高血压的影响研究

目的 本研究旨在探讨儿童期血压偏高对成年期高血压的影响,为成人高血压的早期防控提供科学依据。方法 基于“中国居民健康与营养调查”资料(1991-2011年),纳入儿童期(6~17岁)和成年期(18~38岁)均进行至少1次随访的研究对象。儿童期血压偏高前期定义采用中国儿童青少年血压参考值性别和年龄的第90百分位(P₉₀)至第95百分位(P₉₅),儿童期血压偏高采用≥P₉₅。成年期高血压前期为收缩压/舒张压≥120/80 mmHg且<140/90 mmHg;成年期高血压为收缩压/舒张压≥140/90 mmHg,或有高血压史,或目前正服用降压药物。采用协方差分析和Cox比例风险回归模型分析儿童期血压偏高对成年期高血压前期和高血压的影响,控制混杂因素包括儿童期性别和年龄,成年期的体重指数(BMI)、吸烟和饮酒。结果 本研究共纳入1 984名数据完整的研究对象,中位随访时间为11.7年。基线儿童期共有108人(5.4%)为血压偏高前期,199人(10.0%)为血压偏高。随访成年期共有697人(35.1%)为高血压前期,104人(5.2%)为高血压。协方差分析表明,成年期收缩压和舒张压水平均随着儿童期血压百分位的增加而增加(P_趋势<0.001)。多因素Cox回归分析显示,儿童期血压偏高者成年后为高血压前期的风险增加(HR=1.41,95%CI:1.12~1.77)。儿童期血压偏高者成年后为高血压的风险显著增加(HR=1.73,95%CI:1.01~2.98)。结论 儿童期血压偏高会增加成年期罹患高血压的风险。应该重视儿童青少年血压监测,对血压偏高的高危儿童应及时采取干预措施。     

Women, employment status, and hypertension: cross-sectional and prospective findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

PURPOSE: This study examined the cross-sectional and prospective associations between employment status and hypertension among middle-aged, African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) women participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. METHODS: Employed women and homemakers from the baseline examination (1987-89) were included in the cross-sectional study (n = 7351). Associations between employment and the incidence of hypertension ascertained at visit 2 (1990-92) were determined among those who at baseline, had low-normal blood pressure (not hypertensive and systolic blood pressure (SBP) < or = 120 mm Hg systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < or =80 mm Hg (n = 3194). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between employment status and hypertension by ethnicity, taking into account covariates. RESULTS: At baseline, employed women were less likely to be hypertensive (SBP > or =140 mm Hg or DBP > or =90 mm Hg or current use of antihypertensive drugs) than were homemakers (prevalence odds ratio) (POR) = 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.62-0.79), controlling for age, body mass index, and education. Among the subgroup who had low-normal blood pressure at baseline, employed women were less likely to develop hypertension during the three-year time period than were homemakers (odds ratio (OR) = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.44-1.05). The inverse association was stronger among AA (RR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.16-0.88) than EA (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.50-1.38) women. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the inverse association between hypertension and employment status is not due to a healthy worker effect, and that employment may confer protection against incident hypertension in women.     

Coffee intake and incidence of hypertension

BACKGROUND: The long-term longitudinal evidence for a relation between coffee intake and hypertension is relatively scarce. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess whether coffee intake is associated with the incidence of hypertension. DESIGN: This study was conducted on a cohort of 2985 men and 3383 women who had a baseline visit and follow-up visits after 6 and 11 y. Baseline coffee intake was ascertained with questionnaires and categorized into 0, >0-3, >3-6, and >6 cups/d. Hypertension was defined as a mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) >or=140 mm Hg over both follow-up measurements, a mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >or=90 mm Hg over both follow-up measurements, or the use of antihypertensive medication at any follow-up measurement. RESULTS: Coffee abstainers at baseline had a lower risk of hypertension than did those with a coffee intake of >0-3 cups/d [odds ratio (OR): 0.54; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.92]. Women who drank >6 cups/d had a lower risk than did women who drank >0-3 cups/d (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.98). Subjects aged >or=39 y at baseline had 0.35 mm Hg (95% CI: -0.59, -0.11 mm Hg) lower SBP per cup intake/d and 0.11 mm Hg lower DBP (95% CI: -0.26, 0.03 mm Hg) than did those aged <39 y at baseline, although the difference in DBP was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Coffee abstinence is associated with a lower hypertension risk than is low coffee consumption. An inverse U-shaped relation between coffee intake and risk of hypertension was observed in the women.     

A Diet Pattern with More Dairy and Nuts,but Less Meat Is Related to Lower Risk of Developing Hypertension in Middle-Aged Adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Dietary intake among other lifestyle factors influence blood pressure. We examined the associations of an “a priori” diet score with incident high normal blood pressure (HNBP; systolic blood pressure (SBP) 120–139 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 80–89 mmHg and no antihypertensive medications) and hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication). We used proportional hazards regression to evaluate this score in quintiles (Q) and each food group making up the score relative to incident HNBP or hypertension over nine years in the Atherosclerosis Risk of Communities (ARIC) study of 9913 African-American and Caucasian adults aged 45–64 years and free of HNBP or hypertension at baseline. Incidence of HNBP varied from 42.5% in white women to 44.1% in black women; and incident hypertension from 26.1% in white women to 40.8% in black women. Adjusting for demographics and CVD risk factors, the “a priori” food score was inversely associated with incident hypertension; but not HNBP. Compared to Q1, the relative hazards of hypertension for the food score Q2–Q5 were 0.97 (0.87–1.09), 0.91 (0.81–1.02), 0.91 (0.80–1.03), and 0.86 (0.75–0.98); p_trend = 0.01. This inverse relation was largely attributable to greater intake of dairy products and nuts, and less meat. These findings support the 2010 Dietary Guidelines to consume more dairy products and nuts, but suggest a reduction in meat intake.     

Predictors of the development of hypertension: ten-year follow-up study in a community]

Predictors of the development of hypertension were examined in a 10-year follow-up study of normotensive Japanese adults. Subjects (n = 265), aged 30-69 years at entry, normotensive and with no past history of antihypertensive treatment at entry, were studied in terms of the relationship of various physical, biochemical, dietary, and lifestyle data to the subsequent development of hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) more than 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) more than 90 mmHg and/or starting antihypertensive treatment) with analysis accomplished using univariate and multivariate life table methods. Univariate analyses by the generalized Wilcoxon test showed significantly higher incidence of hypertension in those subjects with SBP 120 mmHg or more (p < 0.001), DBP 75 mmHg or more (p < 0.001), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) 20 KU or more (p < 0.001), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) 15 KU or more (p < 0.001), serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) 10 IU/l or more (p < 0.001), age 50 or older (p = 0.002), body mass index 22 kg/m2 or more (p = 0.012), and serum creatinine less than 1.2 mg/dl (p = 0.020) than in the other subjects. Multivariate analysis by the Cox proportional hazards model confirmed that relatively higher SBP (p < 0.001), lower serum creatinine (p < 0.001), higher gamma-GTP (p = 0.002), and higher age (p = 0.041) were independent and significant predictors of future hypertension.     

Effect of casein hydrolysate, prepared with protease derived from Aspergillus oryzae, on subjects with high-normal blood pressure or mild hypertension

Casein hydrolysate, prepared with Aspergillus oryzae protease, contains angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides, such as Val-Pro-Pro and Ile-Pro-Pro. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of casein hydrolysate on the blood pressure of 144 subjects with high-normal blood pressure (n = 104) and mild hypertension (n = 40). Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups for a 12-week intake period. In the test group, both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure decreased significantly compared with the placebo group: SBP/DBP significantly decreased from 138.2 +/- 6.5/84.4 +/- 5.3 mm Hg at week 0 to 132.3 +/- 7.3 (P < .001)/81.2 +/- 4.8 mm Hg (P < .001) at week 12. In the stratified analysis, the test product showed an antihypertensive effect in both the subject group with high-normal blood pressure and that with mild hypertension. No side effect was observed in any subjects in this study. These results demonstrate that the casein hydrolysate, prepared with A. oryzae protease, produced a significant reduction in blood pressure in a population of subjects with high-normal blood pressure or mild hypertension without an adverse event.     

上海市社区老年高血压患者血压水平影响因素的多水平分析

目的 应用多水平分析模型分析社区老年高血压患者血压水平的影响因素.方法 通过多阶段随机抽样,抽取上海市23个社区的927例老年高血压患者作为研究对象,采用两水平线性多层模型分别分析社区老年高血压患者收缩压(SBP)和舒张压(DBP)的影响因素.结果 研究对象的平均血压水平为SBP(139.2±11.7)mm Hg、DBP(85.6±8.6)mm Hg(I mm Hg=0.133 kPa).在社区水平上,辖区高血压患者/站点医师数(医患比)"高"的社区较医患比"低"的社区患者的SBP低3.86 mm Hg、DBP低2.51 mm Hg.在个体水平上,年龄、性别、超重/肥胖是血压升高的危险因素;规律服药、限盐、疾病管理自我效能的提高可降低血压,特别是在控制其他影响因素后仅限盐1项就可降低SBP 2.44 mm Hg、DBP 2.03 mm Hg.结论 多水平分析模型可以灵活有效地处理具有层次结构的数据,社区因素和个体因素对老年高血压患者的血压水平均有影响.     

Hypotension in Nursing Home Residents on Antihypertensive Treatment: Is it Associated with Mortality?

ObjectiveTo assess whether low systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) due to antihypertensive medications might be related to mortality among nursing home (NH) residents.DesignObservational, longitudinal.SettingNursing home.ParticipantsAge ≥60 years, receiving antihypertensive medications.MeasurementsDemographic characteristics, mobility status, number of chronic diseases and drugs, nutritional status, and antihypertensive medications were noted. At the first visit, we recorded blood pressure (BP) measurements of last 1 year, which were measured regularly at 2-week intervals and considered their mean values. SBP and DBP thresholds were analyzed for mortality by ROC analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine factors related to mortality.ResultsThe sample included 253 residents with a mean age of 75.7 ± 8.7 years, and 66% were male. Residents were evaluated at a mean follow-up time of 14.3 ± 5.2 months (median: 15) for short-term mortality and 31.6 ± 14.3 months (median: 40) for long-term mortality. The prevalence of low SBP (≤110 mm Hg) and low DBP (≤65 mm Hg) was 34.8% and 15.8%, respectively. In follow-up, the short-term mortality rate was 21.7% (n = 55) and the long-term mortality rate was 42.2% (n = 107). Low SBP (≤110 mm Hg) was related to mortality in short- and long-term follow-ups [short-term follow-up: hazard ratio (HR) 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-8.6, P = .01; long-term follow-up: HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0, P = .02], adjusted for age, mobility status, nutritional state, and total number of diseases and drugs. Low DBP (≤65 mm Hg) was related to mortality in short- and long-term follow-ups [short-term follow-up: HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-7.8, P = .02, long-term follow-up: HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.2, P = .001], adjusted for age, mobility status, nutritional state, and total number of diseases and drugs.Conclusions and ImplicationsSystolic hypotension was found in more than one-third of the NH residents receiving antihypertensive treatment. Low SBP and DBP were significant factors associated with mortality. Particular attention should be paid to prevent low SBP and DBP in NH residents on antihypertensive treatment.     

北京社区人群血压与颈动脉内中膜厚度的相关性探讨

目的探讨颈动脉内中膜厚度增厚与否对血压与颈动脉内中膜厚度相关性的影响。方法研究人群来自北京大学第一医院心内科于2011年12月至2012年4月在北京市石景山区横断面调查的动脉粥样硬化研究队列。纳入标准为问卷调查资料完整并完成颈动脉超声图像的采集且未应用过任何降压药物,研究人群(n=2 569)以最大颈动脉内中膜厚度0.9 mm为分界点分为颈动脉内中膜厚度增厚组(n=1 597)及非增厚组(n=972),分析血压与颈动脉内中膜厚度的关系。结果多重线性回归分析显示,在调整了性别、年龄、BMI、目前吸烟饮酒状况、血肌酐、空腹血糖、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯、降糖降脂药物使用、心血管疾病患病情况等因素后,总体人群各项血压指标(收缩压、舒张压、脉压及平均动脉压)均与颈动脉内中膜厚度平均值呈显著正相关(收缩压:β=0.009,P0.000 1;舒张压:β=0.002,P0.000 1;脉压:β=0.007,P0.000 1;平均动脉压:β=0.009,P0.000 1);在颈动脉内中膜厚度≥0.9 mm组各项血压指标依然与颈动脉内中膜厚度平均值呈显著正相关(收缩压:β=0.006,P=0.000 1;舒张压:β=0.001,P=0.000 1;脉压:β=0.005,P0.0001;平均动脉压:β=0.005,P=0.023 8),而非增厚组中各项血压指标与颈动脉内中膜厚度平均值均无明显相关。结论本研究发现在颈动脉内中膜厚度增厚的人群中血压指标与颈动脉内中膜厚度显著相关,非增厚人群中无显著相关。提示血管壁增厚影响血压的作用机制在二者相关性机制方面可能占据更重要的地位。     

Blood pressure and the T174M and M235T polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen gene.

PURPOSE: The angiotensinogen gene (AGT), which encodes the precursor of the vasoactive hormone angiotensin II, has been reported to be associated with hypertension in Caucasian and Japanese populations. We examined the relationship between two common molecular variants of AGT, T174M and M235T and blood pressure in two cohorts from the Anqing region of China. Cohort I (N = 794) consisted of families ascertained by either hypertensive or hypotensive siblings; and Cohort II (N = 761) represented a collection of randomly selected families. METHODS: Blood pressure was measured according to standard protocols, and information on age, sex, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking was collected by trained interviewers using standardized questionnaires. The association of AGT genotypes and blood pressure was examined in multivariate linear regression models, with adjustment for potential intrafamilial correlations. The respective T and M allele frequencies for T174M were 0.93 and 0.07, and 0.80 and 0.20 for M235T among the parents for randomly selected families. All the analyses were conducted after exclusion of individuals currently under antihypertensive medication. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis of the two cohorts, neither the T174M nor the M235T polymorphism was significantly associated with variations of blood pressure assuming a recessive (T174M: p = 0.73 and 0.61; M235T: p = 0.99 and 0.24; for SBP and DBP), dominant (T174M: p = 0.54 and 0.72; M235T: p = 0.79 and 0.12; for SBP and DBP), or additive (T174M: p = 0.52 and 0.67, M235T: p = 0.91 and 0.11; for SBP and DBP) model. Likewise, no statistically significant association was detected when the two cohorts were analyzed separately. The logistic regression analysis of hypertension also failed to reveal any association with these markers. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our analyses suggest that the molecular variants of AGT may not be associated with variations of blood pressure in this rural Chinese population.     

Relationship of blood pressure to cardiovascular death: the effects of pulse pressure in the elderly

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of systolic and diastolic blood pressure to fatal myocardial infarction, fatal stroke and other death related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS: The study was based on a prospective longitudinal study conducted by the Veterans Administration at the Boston Outpatient Clinic. Participants are male volunteers from the greater Boston area. Main outcome measures are fatal myocardial infarction, fatal stroke and other deaths related to cardiovascular diseases. The method of pooled logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: For younger men (age 21-59), after adjusting for effects of other risk factors, when systolic and diastolic blood pressure were considered separately, SBP was predictive of cardiovascular death (SBP: RR = 1.23; 95% CI = (1.05, 1.45) per 10 mmHg of increase), and DBP showed a nonsignificant positive trend in relation to cardiovascular death (DBP: RR = 1.27; 95% CI = (0.95, 1.69) per 10 mmHg of increase). For older men (age 60-85), when SBP and DBP were considered separately, SBP (RR = 1.26; 95% CI = (1.02, 1.55) per 15 mmHg of increase) was directly related, but DBP (RR = 1.05; 95% CI = (0.83, 1.32) per 8 mmHg of increase) was not related to cardiovascular death. However, for the elderly group, when SBP and DBP were considered jointly in the regression model, then the regression coefficient of DBP (beta = -0.018, p = 0.30) was of approximately the same absolute magnitude as that of SBP (beta = 0.021, p = 0.02) but opposite in sign. For younger men, when SBP and DBP were considered jointly, SBP (beta = 0.021, p = 0.049) but not DBP (beta = -0.001, p = 0.953) was positively related to cardiovascular death. CONCLUSIONS: We found that, for the elderly, pulse pressure (SBP-DBP) may be a more accurate predictor of cardiovascular death than either SBP or DBP alone. The relative risk per 35 mmHg of increase of pulse pressure, which equals the approximate interval from the 10th to the 90th percentile in the elderly group, is 2.1 with 95% CI = (1.1, 3.8). In younger subjects, SBP, but not DBP, is an independent predictor of fatal CVD.     

Marital differences in blood pressure and the risk of hypertension among Polish men

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between marital status and blood pressure, and to assess the risk of hypertension in adult Polish men, after adjustment for BMI. Material comprised the data of 2,271 healthy men, aged 25–60, occupationally active inhabitants of Wroclaw (south-western Poland). Arterial hypertension was diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg. The following categories of marital status and educational level were applied: never married vs. currently married, and well-educated vs. poorly educated, respectively. The data on lifestyle elements were obtained from questionnaires. Multifactorial analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare mean values of SBP and DBP in married vs. never married in subsequent age categories with BMI as a covariate. Independent effects of marital status, life-style variables and body mass index (BMI) on the risk of hypertension in men were analysed using the multifactorial models of logistic regression. In our analysis an interesting epidemiological phenomenon was observed. Never married men had on average higher SBP and DBP than married men. Never married had also a higher risk of hypertension when compared to married men, even when adjusted for different demographic, socio-economic, life-style variables, and even that never married men had lower BMI than married subjects. Marital differences in psychological status (prolonged stress and low social support), dietary intake (mainly sodium and potassium intake) and economic aspects of living alone are suggested as factors, which might explain at least partly the marital diversity in blood pressure and the risk of hypertension in men.     

Oral contraceptives: a risk factor for uncontrolled blood pressure among hypertensive women

The objective of the study was to assess the association between systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and the use of oral contraceptives (OC) in hypertensive women. In a prospective cross-sectional study, we evaluated 171 women who were referred to the Hypertension Outpatient Clinic of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; 66 current users of OC, 26 users of other contraceptive methods and 79 women who were not using contraception. The average of six blood pressure readings was used to establish the usual blood pressure of the participants. Current OC users were compared with users of other methods and with patients not using contraception. Main outcome measures were SBP and DBP among the different groups, and prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension (SBP >or= 140 mmHg and DBP >or= 90 mmHg). DBP was higher in OC users (100.2 +/- 15.9 mmHg) than in patients using other contraceptive methods (93.4 +/- 14.7 mmHg) and not using contraceptives (93.3 +/- 14.4 mmHg, p = 0.016). Women using OC for more than 8 years presented higher age-adjusted blood pressure levels than women using OC for shorter periods. Patients using OC had poor blood pressure control (p for trend = 0.046) and a higher proportion of them presented moderate-severe hypertension. These results were independent of antihypertensive drug use. In a logistic regression model, we found that current OC use was independently and significantly associated with prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. It is concluded that hypertensive women using OC present a significant increase in DBP and poor blood pressure control, independent of age, weight and antihypertensive drug treatment.     

Low plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration and MTHFR 677C-->T genotypes are associated with increased risk of hypertension

Few studies have linked homocysteine, B vitamins and/or genetic defects to the risk of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate homocysteine, B-vitamins, and genetic mutation in relation to the risk of hypertension. Subjects were assigned to the hypertension (HTN) group (n = 50) or non-hypertension (non-HTN) group (n = 123). All subjects' blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, SBP; diastolic blood pressure, DBP), biochemical values, plasma homocysteine, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), serum folate, vitamin B12 concentrations, and methylenetetrafolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T gene polymorphism were measured. Results showed that subjects with T-allele were positively associated with DBP (beta = 4.22, p = 0.04) but the significance became weaker (p = 0.06) after homocysteine and B vitamins were additionally adjusted. A significant association of plasma PLP with SBP remained (beta = -0.06, p = 0.01) even after homocysteine and T-allele genotypes were additionally adjusted (beta = -0.07, p = 0.02). The combined presence of low PLP (< 30 nmol/L) and carried T-allele enhanced the risk of hypertension and the risk magnitude was substantially greater (OR, 16.44, p < 0.001). Taken together, the results show that low plasma PLP levels and MTHFR 677C-->T genotypes might be significant risk factors for hypertension.     

孕产妇心理、社会状况对新生儿血压的影响

目的:探讨孕产妇心理、社会状况对新生儿血压的影响。方法:整群抽取2010年7～12月在安庆某三甲医院产科住院分娩的单胎孕产妇和新生儿,由专人调查产妇的一般人口学特征及相关信息,并由孕产妇自行填写《症状自评量表(SCL-90)》;新生儿出生后及时测量血压。结果:新生儿收缩压与母亲收缩压之间、新生儿舒张压与母亲舒张压之间均无统计学关联。母亲的受教育程度、抑郁因子对新生儿的收缩压有影响;母亲的人际因子、抑郁因子、敌对因子、恐怖因子等对新生儿的舒张压有影响(均P<0.05)。在控制了混杂因素后,抑郁因子是新生儿收缩压的危险因素(OR=4.884,95%CI=1.632～14.629),恐怖因子是新生儿舒张压的危险因素(OR=3.127,95%CI=1.070～9.143)。结论:孕产妇的抑郁、恐怖等心理状况可以影响新生儿的血压水平。     

中老年人群生活方式与血压水平和高血压发生风险的关联

  目的  探讨中老年人群生活方式及其变化与血压水平和高血压发生风险的关联。  方法  纳入东风-同济队列2008―2010年7 671名研究对象进行分析。分别采用线性回归和Logistic回归分析模型评估生活方式与血压水平和高血压发生风险的关联。  结果  校正混杂因素后,生活方式评分增加与血压水平和高血压风险的降低均有剂量反应关系。与基线生活方式评分0~1分组相比,＞4分组的SBP、DBP和平均动脉压分别降低4.03、2.25和2.84 mm Hg,新发高血压的OR值为0.68(95% CI: 0.52~0.88)。且每增加1分,高血压发生风险降低9%(OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.87~0.95)。而从基线至2013年随访5年间生活方式评分维持在＞3的个体,其新发高血压风险的OR值为0.61(OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.47~0.80),但是从基线0~2分提高至随访＞3分并不能降低高血压风险(OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.54~1.40)。  结论  中老年人群尽早并长期坚持健康生活方式对于高血压防控效益最大。     

Association between 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and erythrocyte n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Korean subjects with hypertension

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to have antihypertensive properties, but the association between 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and the tissue content of n-3 PUFA remains controversial. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that the level of erythrocyte n-3 PUFA is inversely related with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure after adjustment for relevant confounders. Fifty-one male and 49 female Korean patients were included in this study. Twenty-seven of the patients were defined as having hypertension. There were significant differences in age, body mass index, sex, marital status, and family history of hyperlipidemia between hypertensive and nonhypertensive subjects, and these factors were therefore considered to be confounding factors. Multivariate-adjusted regression analysis showed that erythrocyte fatty acids were not significantly associated with the risk of hypertension after adjusting for confounders. However, Pearson correlation analysis showed that 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly and negatively correlated with n-3 PUFA (r = −0.228, P = .027) and eicosapentaenoic acid (r = −0.270, P = .008), but not with docosahexaenoic acid (r = −0.156, P = .131). Multivariate-adjusted regression analysis also showed that intake of protein, vitamin B₂, vitamin E, and cholesterol increased the risk of hypertension after adjusting for confounders. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed that fat and cholesterol consumption was positively correlated with SBP, but carbohydrate intake was negatively correlated with SBP. In conclusion, erythrocyte n-3 PUFA did not reduce the risk of hypertension but were negatively correlated with 24-hour ambulatory SBP in the Korean population.