Intensity of cardiovascular and behavioral risk factors in masked and stable arterial hypertension in young subjects

Abstract

Objective. To study the intensity of cardiovascular behavioral and other risk factors of masked arterial hypertension (MHTN) and stable arterial hypertension (SHTN) in young subjects (students of medical university). Design and methods . A full-design screening study included 423 young men and women aged 20–27, mean age 22, 59 % were women and 41 % — men. All subjects underwent clinical examination: physical examination — height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, questionnaires to assess behavioral risk factors and history of the complaints; laboratory and instrumental screening: fasting serum creatinine, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins), 30‑second breath-hold test, standard 12‑lead electrocardiography (ECG); echocardiography and 24‑hour blood pressure monitoring in HTN subjects (with MHTN and SHTN). Results. MHTN was detected in 12,3 % subjects, SHTN — in 9 %; 78,7 % were normotensives. Subjects with SHTN were overweight — BMI 28,4 (27,4; 29,7) kg/m 2. In MHTN subjects, waist and circumferences tended to increase: 77,2 (65,1; 82) and 98 (93,2; 104) cm, respectively. MHTN patients demonstrated higher office systolic blood pressure as compared to normotensives: 120 (110; 130) versus 108,5 (100; 118) mm Hg. However, they had lower BP compared to subjects with SHTN — 139 (132,3; 140) mm Hg. Family history of early cardiovascular diseases was detected in all MHTN patients (100 %), as well as in 50 % SHTN individuals and in 56 % normotensives. The highest prevalence of behavioral risk factors was found in a group of subjects with MHTN, as compared to those with SHTN and normotensives. Conclusions . Subjects with MHTN and SHTN have prevalent indicators of behavioral and other risk factors for HTN, which form its phenotype. The development of MHTN and SHTN in young subjects is associated with the severity of clinical, genetic and behavioral risk factors.