475 BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINANTS IN CHILDREN OF HYPERTENSIVE PARENTS

Abstract

Parent(P)-child(C) sharing of explanatory variables for blood pressure(BP) was studied in 161 kindreds(k) randomly recalled in the Princeton School family study, comparing 121 K [345 children, CH] with neither P on hypotensive agents (H-), and 40 K [80 CH] with at least 1 P on hypotensives (H+). The following mean (SE) BP determinants, covariance adjusted for age, race, and sex, differed in CH from H+ and H- K (*p<.03, **p<.01): Mean covariance adjusted total (TC), high, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL,C-LDL), and triglyceride did not differ in CH from H+ and H- K, p>0.1. Multiple linear regression with P use of hypotensive agents as a class (explanatory) variable revealed different (p<.05) relationships in CH of H+ and H- fathers for CHs' and fathers' HCT, TC, C-HDL, C-LDL, WT, Q, alkaline phosphatase, thyroxine, and creatinine. The relationships between CHs' and mothers' HCT, W, Q, and glucose differed between CH of H+ and H- mothers. CH of H+ P display BP determinants which, in aggregate, may facilitate the ultimate expression of high BP, and reflect familial sharing of high BP. In CH from H+ K potentially predisposed to high BP, control of obesity, a major determinant of BP in CH, might prevent the eventual development of high BP or reduce its severity.