老年高血压患者降压治疗后24h动态血压与心脑血管事件发生率的分析

该文分析老年高血压患者降压治疗后24h动态血压与心脑血管事件发生的情况，为临床降压治疗提供依据。方法：将患者1074例分为两组，高血压组748例，非高血压组326例。采用24h动态血压监测技术监测血压，观察老年高血压患者降压治疗后心脑血管事件发生情况及其他相关指标。结果：高血压组降压治疗后24h动态血压水平与非高血压组比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），     

高龄老年高血压患者动态血压和动态心电图特点及临床分析

目的分析高血压患者的24h动态血压、心电图的特点，并结合临床分析，为临床高龄老年高血压防治提供可参考依据。方法共入选老年高血压患者214例，按年龄分为两组，A组：高龄老年组（≥80岁）96例；B组：低龄老年组（60～79岁）118例。采用24h动态血压和24h动态心电图同步监测技术，记录血压和心电图变化，同时采集多次住院病历，观察高血压患者治疗过程中血压控制情况，心律失常以及靶器官损害发生情况。结果高龄老年组的大部分患者血压控制良好。24h动态血压水平两组之间仍有明显差异，高龄老年组心律失常、心脑血管事件次数、糖尿病、体重指数、左心室重量指数等均显著高于低龄老年组。结论与低龄老年组相比，80岁以上的高龄老年高血压患者肾损害明显，其24h动态血压水平与动态心电图改变及肾损害之间密切相关。     

原发性高血压患者血压晨峰与静息心率和靶器官损害相关性的临床研究

目的探讨原发性高血压患者血压晨峰现象与静息心率和主要靶器官损害的相关性及其临床意义。方法采用24 h动态血压监测仪(ABPM)分析88例原发性高血压患者的血压,确认晨峰组与非晨峰组,均常规检查血脂、空腹血糖、动态心电图(HOLTER),计算体重指数(BMI),左室质量指数(LVMI),取HOLTER记录的早晨6:00的心率为静息心率(RHR)。结果晨峰组的24h白昼、夜间平均收缩压均显著高于非晨峰组动态血压监测水平(P0.05),晨峰组的LVMI、RHR均高于非晨峰组(P0.05)。结论原发性高血压患者伴血压晨峰有显著静息心率加快和靶器官损害加重等表现,因此遏制原发性高血压患者的晨峰反应对降压达标、减少恶性心脑血管事件的发生具有重要意义。     

老年高血压患者经不同药物降压后体位性低血压发生率的探讨

目的探讨不同降血压方案对老年高血压患者体位性低血压(OH)发生率的影响。方法将168例老年高血压病患者随机分成两组,每组各84例,A组苯磺酸氨氯地平片+复方阿米洛利口服;B组给予苯磺酸氨氯地平片+氯沙坦钾片口服。所有患者于治疗前及治疗后监测24h动脉血压,分析两组血压变化及OH的发生情况。结果降压治疗后,两组24h平均收缩压(SBP)、平均舒张压(DBP)均较治疗前显著下降(P<0.05),而A组和B组降压后24h动态血压各指标比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05);B组SBP和DBP中,卧位与立位的变化值均显著低于A组(P<0.05);B组24h内收缩压及舒张压OH的发生率显著低于A组(P<0.05)。结论 CCB+ARB可有效降低老年高血压患者24hOH的发生率,是老年高血压较为理想的联合治疗方案。     

无创正压气道通气对老年脑梗死并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者预后的影响

目的探讨无创正压气道通气(CPAP)对老年脑梗死合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)患者24h动态血压和心脑血管事件的影响,并分析影响不良心脑血管事件的危险因素。方法选择鞍钢集团总医院2012年5月~2015年5月收治的老年脑梗死合并OSA患者145例,按照随机数字表分为治疗组(CPAP治疗)73例和对照组72例。评估2组患者24h动态血压,随访1年时,用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线评价2组的生存情况,采用ROC曲线分析预测心脑血管事件发生的危险因素。结果出院前2组24h收缩压、24h舒张压、昼间收缩压、昼间舒张压、夜间舒张压均有显著差异(P0.05)。随访1年时,Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示,治疗组与对照组中位生存时间无显著差异(365dvs 362d,P0.05),治疗组心脑血管事件发生率显著低于对照组(21.9%vs 33.3%,P0.05)。ROC曲线显示,睡眠呼吸暂停指数的曲线下面积为0.70(95%CI:0.61~0.77,P=0.002)和24h收缩压的曲线下面积为0.72(95%CI:0.63~0.81,P=0.003),两者为预测心脑血管事件发生的危险因素。结论 CPAP能有效降低老年脑梗死合并OSA患者24h动态血压,降低心脑血管事件发生率。     

老年男性高血压患者脉压指数特征的分析

目的分析老年男性高血压患者脉压指数特征及其对心脑血管事件危险性的预测价值。方法选择265例老年男性高血压患者进行动态血压监测,按脉压指数水平分层:≤0.400(103例),0.401～0.500(124例),≥0.501(38例),分析高血压患者昼夜及不同脉压指数的动态血压特征及心脑血管事件危险性。结果高血压患者夜间脉压较昼间明显降低(P<0.01);脉压指数昼夜变化幅度较小,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。随脉压指数增加,高血压患者平均收缩压(24 h、昼间、夜间)、平均脉压(24 h、昼间、夜间)、收缩压最高值、收缩压变异性(24 h、昼间)、夜间收缩压负荷值明显升高;而平均舒张压(24 h、昼间、夜间)、舒张压最低值、昼间舒张压负荷值、夜间血压下降率均明显下降(P<0.01)。随脉压指数增加,心脑血管事件发生率增高(P<0.01)。结论脉压指数较脉压更有利于对患者动脉硬化做出准确评估,且对老年男性高血压患者心脑血管事件危险性有一定预测价值。     

血压变异及左室肥厚是老年高血压发生心脑血管事件的危险因子

目的探讨老年高血压病患者的昼夜动态血压变异程度及左室质量指数(LVMI)与心脑血管事件发生的关系。方法采集近年来因心脑血管疾病住院的老年高血压病患者共269例。年龄在65～87岁之间,均有身高、体重、心电图、血清胆固醇、二维心超、24小时动态血压及脑CT的检查资料,并将其分成心脑血管事件发生组(A组)与未发生组(B组)进行比较。结果269例中A组154例,B组115例,A组的LVMI与昼夜血压标准差(SD)均明显高于B组(P<0.01)。而血清胆固醇、心电图等一般情况与B组无显著差异。结论左室肥厚与血压变异呈正相关性,而血压变异程度又是独立并显著地与心脑血管事件有关系,并且随着血压变异增大,心脑血管事件的发生率同比增大,靶器官损害加重。     

老年原发性高血压患者血压晨峰现象对靶器官影响的临床研究

目的研究老年原发性高血压患者血压晨峰现象，明确其对主要靶器官结构及功能的潜在损害。方法采用24h动态血压监测仪分析88例老年高血压患者的血压，确认晨峰组与非晨峰组，均常规检查血脂、空腹血糖、测定尿微量白蛋白（UALB），计算体质量指数（BMI）、左心室质量指数（LVMI）、心电图计算QT离散度（QTcd）。结果晨峰组的24h白昼、夜间平均收缩压均显著高于非晨峰组动态血压监测水平，晨峰组的LVMI、QTcd和UALB指标均高于非晨峰组（P〈0．05）；2组BMI、血脂、血糖差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论血压晨峰使靶器官损害增加，因此遏制原发性高血压患者的晨峰反应对降压达标和减缓靶器官受累程度具有重要意义。     

昼夜血压节律对急性心肌梗死合并高血压患者再发心脑血管事件的影响

目的探讨昼夜血压节律对急性心肌梗死(AMI)合并高血压患者再发心脑血管事件影响及血管内超声特征的影响。方法2012年1月至2013年1月采用动态血压检测仪检测该院心内科收治的60例AMI合并高血压患者24 h血压。根据患者血压变化分为非杓型血压组18例,杓型血压组16例,超杓型血压组14例及反杓型血压组12例,应用血管内超声仪分析四组患者血管病变情况。对上述患者随访1年,观察患者心脑血管事件发生情况。结果四组患者性别、年龄、高血压病史、体质指数(BMI)、甘油三酯(TG)、空腹血糖(FBG)、血肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、日间收缩压(SBP)及舒张压(DBP)无统计学差异(P0.05)。非杓型血压组24 h SBP及DBP、夜间SBP及DBP均高于其余三组(P0.05)。非杓型血压组最小管腔面积(MLA)、脂核负荷小于其余三组,而斑块面积、狭窄百分比、纤维帽厚度大于其余三组(P0.05)。非杓型血压组新发短暂性脑缺血、缺血性脑卒中、神经源性死亡、复发性心绞痛、心肌梗死、心力衰竭以及心源性死亡等心脑血管事件发生率高于其余三组(P0.05)。结论非杓型及反杓型血压节律的AMI合并高血压患者再发心脑血管事件发生率较高,动脉斑块面积较大,危险程度较高,临床应加强对非杓型血压节律及反杓型的AMI合并高血压患者出院后的随访。     

阿托伐他汀联合降压治疗对老年高血压患者平滑指数的影响

目的 观察应用阿托伐他汀调脂联合贝那普利和氨氯地平对老年高血压患者平滑指数的影响.方法 选取2013年10月至2014年2月上海市嘉定区南翔医院≥2级老年高血压患者120例,随机分为单纯降压组及调脂联合降压组,各60例.单纯降压组患者接受贝那普利和氨氯地平治疗,调脂联合降压组在此基础上加用阿托伐他汀（10mgqn po）调脂治疗.治疗3个月和6个月后随访,两组分别进行血脂及24 h动态血压监测,记录24 h平均收缩压（24 h SBP）和平均舒张压（24 h DBP）,计算24h收缩、舒张压平滑指数（SISBP和SIDBP）及脉压（PP）、脉压指数（PPI）,分别比较两组患者治疗前后血脂、动态血压值及稳定性的变化.结果 治疗3个月及个6月后,两组患者血压均控制良好.与单纯降压组相比,调脂联合降压组患者的总胆固醇及甘油三酯水平明显降低,PP及PPI明显降低（P＜0.05）,而SISBP和SIDBP明显升高（P＜0.05,P＜0.01）.结论 阿托伐他汀调脂联合降压治疗能更加有效降低≥2级高血压患者动态血压的PP及PPI,并且明显提高血压平滑指数,能有效减轻老年高血压患者靶器官损害.     

How well does ambulatory blood pressure predict target-organ disease and clinical outcome in patients with hypertension?

For many years, it has been evident that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is superior to the measurement of office blood pressure as a predictor of target-organ involvement in patients with hypertension. Until recently, there were far fewer data on the relationship between 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. In 1983, Perloff et al. published their seminal report on awake ambulatory blood pressure as a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. During the 16 years that have passed since that publication, several additional prospective ambulatory blood pressure studies have been completed, in five different countries. The basis for all these investigations has been to assess the predictive value of ambulatory blood pressure as a determinant of either cardiovascular morbidity (myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, and vascular surgical procedures) or mortality. With the exception of the Systolic Hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur) trial, all these studies have been uncontrolled for therapeutic interventions. Typically, the average follow-up period for each trial has been 3-9 years. All these studies have shown that ambulatory blood pressure is a much better predictor of cardiovascular events than the standard office or clinic pressure. In addition, hypertensive patients whose nocturnal (or sleep) blood pressure remains high (that is, those who have a 'non-dipper' circadian blood pressure profile) have a worse outcome than patients whose nocturnal blood pressure decline is at least 10%. These data all support the desirability of increased utilization of 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in clinical trials of antihypertensive drugs and in the management of hypertensive patients in clinical practice.     

老年高血压患者降压治疗后舒张压对心脑血管事件的影响

目的探讨老年高血压患者降压治疗后,舒张压水平与心脑血管事件的关系,并了解是否存在关于舒张压的"J"型曲线。方法采用回顾性研究方法将1010例老年高血压患者按降压治疗后舒张压水平分为6组:1组舒张压<65 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.1 33 kPa)68例,2组舒张压65～69 mm Hg 154例,3组舒张压70～74 mm Hg 334例,4组舒张压75～79 mm Hg 235例,5组舒张压80～84 mm Hg 148例,6组舒张压85～89 mm Hg 71例;应用Cox比例风险模型分析不同舒张压水平对心脑血管事件的影响。结果 2组心脑血管事件发病率最低,在校正传统危险因素后,与2组比较,4组、5组和6组心脑血管事件发生相对风险分别增加了68%、184%及203%(P<0.05,P<0.01),1组心脑血管事件发生相对风险虽有增加趋势,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论老年高血压患者心脑血管事件随降压治疗后舒张压降低有减少趋势,舒张压降至65～69 mm Hg亦能获益。     

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during antihypertensive treatment: the case of non-responder patients

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the discrepancies between casual and ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients during treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were gathered intio two groups according to casual diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and antihypertensive treatment: group A (responders) with casual DBP < 90 mmHg administered one or more antihypertensive drugs and group B (non-responders) with DBP >/= 95 mmHg taking two or more antihypertensive drugs, maintained during three consecutive visits at 2-week intervals. For all of them casual blood pressure measurements, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and assessment of end-organ damage were performed. RESULTS: The difference between casual blood pressure and average 24 h ambulatory blood pressure were significantly higher for group B than those observed for group A (26 versus 7 mmHg systolic, 16 versus 5 mmHg diastolic). Thirty per cent of the patients in group B and 16% in group A had casual blood pressure more than 20 mmHg higher than awake ambulatory blood pressure, whereas 8% in group B and 20% in group A had higher values for ambulatory than for casual blood pressure. In group A 8% of patients had awake DBP higher than 95 mmHg and 8% had awake DBP 85-95 mmHg. Patients of group A with awake DBP >/= 85 mmHg were younger than those with awake DBP < 85 mmHg (41.4+/-8.8 and 52.1+/-13.4 years, respectively). In patients of group B, there was less end-organ damage in the patients with awake DBP < 85 mmHg than there was in patients with awake DBP >/= 95 mmHg (World Health Organization grade I/II-III, 6/10 and 3/20, respectively). CONCLUSION: The differences between casual and ambulatory blood pressures were higher in the 'non-responder' patients. In group A the small percentage of patients who had persistently higher ambulatory blood pressure were younger. In group B one-quarter of the patients had 'normal' ambulatory blood pressure and less end-organ damage. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring will be useful for better assessment of hypertension control in a subset of hypertensive patients.     

睡眠呼吸暂停综合征与高血压治疗

目的　观察合并睡眠呼吸暂停综合征 (SAS)的高血压病患者 ,常规药物降压治疗及呼吸道正压通气治疗对血压的影响。方法　按照睡眠资料和 2 4h血压资料 ,分为单纯高血压组与合并SAS高血压组 ,观察常规降压药物治疗 4周后 2 4h血压变化及呼吸道正压通气治疗对合并SAS的高血压患者 2 4h血压影响。结果　 2 7例单纯高血压患者 ,常规药物降压治疗 4周后 ,2 4h平均收缩压、舒张压、夜间收缩压、舒张压均明显下降 (P <0 0 1)。 2 5例合并SAS的高血压患者 2 4h平均收缩压、舒张压、夜间舒张压有所下降 (P <0 0 5 ) ,但仍高于正常值 ,而夜间收缩压无明显变化。其中 19例合并SAS高血压患者加用一夜正压通气治疗后 ,2 4h平均血压进一步下降 ,夜间收缩压和舒张压明显降低 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 1)。结论　合并有SAS的高血压患者多为难治性 ,单纯降压药物治疗效果欠佳 ,需要同时应用正压通气进行治疗。     

Vascular permeability, blood pressure, and organ damage in primary hypertension

Sub-clinical organ damage is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in primary hypertension, and its changes over time parallel those in risk of cardiovascular events. A better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the development of target organ damage may help us devise more effective therapeutic strategies. We therefore investigated the relationship between the presence of organ damage and some of its potential determinants, such as blood pressure severity and early atherosclerotic abnormalities. Thirty-seven untreated, non-diabetic hypertensive patients were enrolled. Target organ damage was assessed by albuminuria and left ventricular mass index; systemic vascular permeability was evaluated by transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERalb); and blood pressure was measured by 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The albumin-to-creatinine ratio and left ventricular mass index were directly related to TERalb (r = 0.48, p = 0.003 and r = 0.39, p < 0.020, respectively) and 24-h systolic blood pressure values (r = 0.54, p < 0.001; r = 0.60, p < 0.001). The simultaneous occurrence of increased blood pressure load and TERalb was associated with higher left ventricular mass index values (p = 0.012) and entailed an increased risk of having at least one sign of damage (chi2 = 17.4; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of presenting at least one sign of organ damage increased more than ten-fold when TERalb was above the median and more than five-fold with each 10 mmHg increase in 24-h systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure load and vascular permeability are potentially modifiable factors that are independently associated with the occurrence of sub-clinical signs of renal and cardiac damage in hypertensive patients.     

非洛地平缓释片对原发性高血压患者动态血压的影响及与细胞内胞浆游离钙浓度的关系

目的 观察非洛地平对高血压患者动态血压的影响及与细胞内胞浆游离钙浓度的关系。方法 检测28例原发性高血压患者及相应对照组之血压及淋巴细胞胞浆游离钙浓度及非洛地平缓释片治疗四周后血压及淋巴细胞胞浆游离钙浓度的变化,并观察其治疗前后24h动态血压的变化。结果 原发性高血压患者淋巴细胞胞浆游离钙浓度显著高于对照组,非洛地平缓释片治疗后淋巴细胞胞浆游离钙浓度和血压显著下降(P<0.01),淋巴细胞胞浆游离钙浓度的下降幅度与收缩压及舒张压下降幅度呈正相关(r=O.866,P<0.001及r=0.734,P<0.001)。治疗后24h平均收缩压、24h平均舒张压、日间平均收缩压、日间平均舒张压、夜间平均收缩压、夜间平均舒张压、日间收缩压负荷、日间舒张压负荷、夜间收缩压负荷、夜间舒张压负荷均较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05-P<0.01)。结论非洛地平是平稳有效的抗高血压药物,其降压作用可能是通过降低细胞内胞浆游离钙浓度而发挥作用。     

Enhanced Efficacy of Nilvadipine in Hypertensives Whose Raised Ambulatory Blood Pressure Is Sustained During Sleep

This study was designed to clarify the relationship between the antihypertensive effects of the calcium antagonist nilvadipine, and circadian changes in blood pressure. Based on measurements using an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring system (ABPM), 17 outpatients with untreated essential hypertension were divided into two groups: a sustained hypertensive group (with a fall in blood pressure during sleep < 10%, n = 7) and a waking time hypertensive group (with a fall in blood pressure during sleep ≥ 10%, n = 10). During treatment with nilvadipine (8 mg/day, ≥ 2 weeks), patients were reexamined by ABPM. The antihypertensive effect of nilvadipine was significantly and negatively correlated with the night time fall in blood pressure: this effect was significantly greater in the sustained hypertensive group than in the waking time hypertensive group. These data suggest that the long acting calcium antagonist nilvadipine has more potent antihypertensive effects in patients with sustained hypertension (“nondippers”) than in those whose hypertension lessens during sleep (“dippers”).     

Arterial hypertension difficult to control in the elderly patient. The significance of the "white coat effect"]

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have revealed a high prevalence of white coat effect among treated hypertensive patients. The difference between clinic and ambulatory blood pressure seems to be more pronounced in older patients. This abnormal rise in blood pressure BP in treated hypertensive patients can lead to a misdiagnosis of refractory hypertension. Clinicians may increase the dosage of antihypertensive drugs or add further medication, increasing costs and producing harmful secondary effects. Our aim was to evaluate the discrepancy between clinic and ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients on adequate antihypertensive treatment and to analyse the magnitude of the white coat effect and its relationship with age, gender, clinic blood pressure and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. POPULATION AND METHODS: We included 50 consecutive moderate/severe hypertensive patients, 58% female, mean age 68 +/- 10 years (48-88), clinic blood pressure (3 visits) > 160/90 mm Hg, on antihypertensive adequate treatment > 2 months with good compliance and without pseudohypertension. The patients were submitted to clinical evaluation (risk score), clinic blood pressure and heart rate, electrocardiogram and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Spacelabs 90,207). Systolic and diastolic 24 hour, daytime, night-time blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. We considered elderly patients above 60 years of age (80%). We defined white coat effect as the difference between systolic clinic blood pressure and daytime systolic blood pressure BP > 20 mm Hg or the difference between diastolic clinic blood pressure and daytime diastolic blood pressure > 10 mm Hg and severe white coat effect as systolic clinic blood pressure--daytime systolic blood pressure > 40 mm Hg or diastolic clinic blood pressure--daytime diastolic blood pressure > 20 mm Hg. The patients were asked to take blood pressure measurements out of hospital (at home or by a nurse). The majority of them performed an echocardiogram examination. RESULTS: Clinic blood pressure was significantly different from daytime ambulatory blood pressure (189 +/- 19/96 +/- 13 vs 139 +/- 18/78 +/- 10 mm Hg, p < 0.005). The magnitude of white coat effect was 50 +/- 17 (8-84) mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 18 +/- 11 (-9 +/- 41) mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. A marked white coat effect (> 40 mm Hg) was observed in 78% of our hypertensive patients. In elderly people (> 60 years), this difference was greater (50 +/- 15 vs 45 +/- 21 mm Hg) though not significantly. We did not find significant differences between sexes (males 54 +/- 16 mm Hg vs 48 +/- 17 mm Hg). In 66% of these patients, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring showed daytime blood pressure values < 140/90 mm Hg, therefore refractory hypertension was excluded. In 8 patients (18%) there was a previous history of ischemic cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and all of them had a marked difference between systolic clinic and daytime blood pressure (> 40 mm Hg). Blood pressure measurements performed out of hospital did not help clinicians to identify this phenomena as only 16% were similar (+/- 5 mm Hg) to ambulatory daytime values. CONCLUSIONS: Some hypertensive patients, on adequate antihypertensive treatment, have a significant difference between clinic blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure measurements. This difference (White Coat Effect) is greater in elderly patients and in men (NS). Although clinic blood pressure values were significantly increased, the majority of these patients have controlled blood pressure on ambulatory monitoring. In this population, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was of great value to identify a misdiagnosis of refractory hypertension, which could lead to improper decisions in the therapeutic management of elderly patients (increasing treatment) and compromise cerebrovascular or coronary circulation.     

Brachial artery vasomotor function is inversely associated with 24-h ambulatory blood pressure

BACKGROUND: Impaired endothelial function has been reported in hypertensive individuals. The extent to which such changes reflect the co-existence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors rather than an independent association with blood pressure remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between brachial artery vasomotor function and ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive individuals and normotensive controls. METHODS: We assessed 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and brachial artery endothelial and smooth muscle function in 155 patients with hypertension and 40 normotensive controls. The vasomotor functions were determined by ultrasonographic assessment of vasodilator responses to flow and sublingual glyceryl trinitrate, respectively. Patients with hypertension were categorized as either treated (n = 85) or untreated (n = 70), and further subdivided on the basis of either no or at least one other cardiovascular risk factor. These included hyperlipidaemia, smoking, diabetes or a previous coronary or cerebrovascular event. RESULTS: Age- and sex-adjusted flow-mediated and glyceryl trinitrate-mediated responses were not significantly different in hypertensive individuals with respect to treatment status or the presence of risk factors when compared with controls. However, when data from all 195 study participants were pooled, 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure was inversely related to flow-mediated response (P = 0.002), and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were inversely related to glyceryl trinitrate response (P < 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Observed relationships were largely unaltered after further adjustment for body mass index, antihypertensive treatment or the presence of other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a direct and inverse relationship between the level of ambulatory blood pressure and flow-mediated and glyceryl trinitrate responses is consistent with a direct influence of blood pressure on conduit vessel vascular function.