The Feasibility of Blood Pressure Control with Autonomic- Assisted Hypertension Therapy versus JNC 8 Therapy

Abstract

Background: Over one billion people have Hypertension (HTN); mortality and morbidity are increasing. The Parasympathetic and Sympathetic (P&S) nervous systems prominently affect the onset and progression of HTN, yet P&S measures are not used to assist in management. Our objective was to determine the feasibility of HTN control using P&S-guided to JNC 8 HTN therapy. Methods: 46 uncontrolled HTN patients were randomized prospectively to P&S-assisted management, adjusting JNC 8 therapy using the ANX 3.0 Autonomic Monitor and adding (r) Alpha Lipoic Acid (Group 1) vs. JNC 8 (Group 2). Results: The two Groups were similar in: 1) age (mean 66 vs. 70 y/o for Groups 1 and 2, respectively; 2) initial resting home Blood Pressure (BP, Group 1 mean=162/90 mmHg vs. Group 2 mean=166/87 mmHg, 3) initial resting office BP Group 1 mean=151/75 mmHg vs. Group 2 mean=155/73 mmHg, and 4) ethnicity. Upon follow-up (mean=8.35 mo.): 1) mean resting home BPs were 145/77 mmHg (Group 1, 74% of patients at JNC 8 goal) vs. 155/83.5 mmHg (Group 2, 30.4% at JNC 8 goal), and 2) mean resting office BPs were 138/71 mmHg (Group 1) vs. 146/65 mmHg (Group 2). At the study’s conclusion, Group 1 Sympathetic tone was lower than that for Group 2 both at rest and upon standing, and Group 1 Parasympathetic tone was higher than that for Group 2 both at rest and upon standing. Conclusion: P&S-assisted HTN therapy is feasible, resulting in improved BP control, through healthier P&S tone on fewer prescription medications.