Masked arterial hypertension: prevalence, pathophysiological determinants and clinical significance

Abstract

In most modern studies, masked arterial hypertension (MAH) is characterized as a poorly diagnosed, latent clinical condition predisposing to subclinical damage to target organs and an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. The prevalence of MAH among the population depends on gender, age, anthropometric and socioeconomic factors, profession, race and other characteristics. The most important risk factors (RF) of MAH and its pathophysiological determinants include genetic polymorphism, subclinical non-specific inflammation, hemostatic disorders, obesity, metabolic syndrome, water-salt imbalance, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia. A defined value has latent dysfunction of the mechanisms that provide circulatory homeostasis, the detection of which is possible by the hemodynamic response to psycho-emotional, hypoxic, hypocapnic, orthostatic effects. Aggressiveness of RF exposure and the consequences of their implementation are evaluated by the rate of development of cardiovascular events and mortality, which indicate an unfavorable prognosis of “uncontrolled” MAH. The maximum reduction of the RF effects and rational pharmacotherapy can significantly improve its clinical prospects.