Abstract MP022: B-Type Natriuretic Peptide is Associated with Higher Blood Pressure: Results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Abstract

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. Its relationship with blood pressure in ambulatory populations is not well established. We hypothesized that BNP concentrations would be positively associated with blood pressure in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). MESA is an epidemiological study of 6,814 men and women from 4 ethnic groups (45-84 years) without known cardiovascular disease. N-terminal pro-BNP was measured at baseline in 6,213 subjects. We used linear regression with systolic blood pressure (SBP) as the outcome and log (natural) BNP (lnBNP), use of BP medications, body mass index (BMI), age, sex, and race as predictors. For every 1 standard deviation higher lnBNP, SBP was 4 mmHg higher ( table ). The regression coefficient for lnBNP was larger (p=0.001) in those on vs not on BP medications (figure). We conclude BNP was significantly associated with SBP in this population. Whether BNP changes with SBP over time is unknown. Table: Multivariable Linear Regression of SBP Predictor Standardized Coeff. Std Error 95% CI Antihypertensive medication 6.5 0.56 5.39-7.60 * lnBNP 4.0 0.31 3.38-4.58 * BMI 3.1 0.28 2.60-3.69 * Age 5.6 0.29 5.03-6.17 * Sex 1.7 0.53 0.69-2.77 † Chinese vs Caucasian 5.1 0.83 3.48-6.73 * African-American vs Caucasian 7.5 0.67 6.22-8.85 * Hispanic vs Caucasian 3.9 0.66 2.57-5.17 * * P <0.001, † P =0.001 Figure: Lowess smoother for relationship of standardized ln(BNP) and SBP (mm/hg)