Study on occurrence of masked hypertension and the degree of target organ damage in the population with family history of hypertension

Abstract

Objective To investigate the occurrence of masked hypertension (MH) and the degree of damage to target organs in people with family history of hypertension. Methods 987 cases of family history of hypertension who had been examined in our hospital from January 2017 to November 2017 were selected as observation group with the approval of hospital ethics committee. At the same time, 987 subjects without family history of hypertension who had been examined in our hospital during the same period were selected as control group. The incidence of masked hypertension, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were observed. Results The incidence of hypertension and masked hypertension in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). LVMI and IMT in patients with masked hypertension were significantly higher than those in normal blood pressure group. LVMI and IMT in patients with hypertension were higher than those in patients with masked hypertension and normal blood pressure group. The LVMI and IMT of patients with family history of masked hypertension were higher than those without family history of masked hypertension. Conclusions Family history of hypertension can increase the incidence of masked hypertension and organ damage of patients. The monitoring of masked hypertension should be strengthened for those with family history of hypertension. Key words: Hypertension; Medical history taking; Masked hypertension; Ventricular function, left; Carotid intima-media thickness