Risk Factor For Arterial Hypertension Research Articles

The Right to Dignity and Consensus in the Psychiatric Health Treatment

Introduction: Hypertension in children and adolescent is an emergent health problem. Obesity increases a child’s risk for hypertension. Poor diet and physical inactivity further contribute to obesity and hypertension risk. Objectives: Prevalence of hypertension among school going children in suburban area of West Bengal and also to estimate proportion of some risk factors for arterial hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1361 school children (in the age group 10-17 years) from government schools. After obtaining informed consent from the school principal, a pretested questionnaire regarding food habit, physical activity, family history of hypertension, myocardial infarction and/or stroke was administered. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Blood pressure was measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Normotensive, pre- hypertensive and hypertensive status of blood pressure was estimated by considering National high blood pressure education program. Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was found to be 15% for boys and 17.5% for girls. More than 50% of obese children and 30% of overweight children were under pre-hypertensive and hypertensive state. There was significant correlation between blood pressure and height, body mass index, body fat percentage and fat mass index. Significant association was noted between hypertension and physical activity and food habit. Conclusion: Findings from the study indicate that significant percentage of children were hypertensive. There is need for early screening programs to identify children who are at risk along with lifestyle intervention programs that are desired to eliminate or reduce hypertension.

PREVALENCE OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND RISK FACTORS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most widespread diseases in whole the world. AH in youth is associated with high cardiovascular mortality in middle age. Objectives: The study objectives were to studied prevalence of AH and risk factors in young adults. Methods. We studied prevalence of AH and risk factors in 981 young adults aged 20-29 years old (22,3 ± 2,26) in cross-sectional epidemiological study. Results. Prevalence of AH was 14,2%, it was significantly higher in men (22,2%) then in women (4,5%), p>0,05. There was a high prevalence of AH risk factors: overweight (35,4% in men), smoking (27,8% in men), parental hypertension (57,8%), noncompliance of day regimen (58,8%), high stress level (37,7%). In AH group prevalence of overweight, smoking, high salt consumption, parental hypertension and hypodinamia was significantly higher than in population. Conclusions . Prevalence of AH was 14,2%, main risk factors of AH were observed in more then quarter of studied persons.

Poor early growth and high salt intake in Indian infants

The influence of feeding patterns on the growth of infants and how salt is included in the diet are unknown in the area of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study was carried on 517 infants (median age 6.5 months). Negative Z-scores were observed for all anthropometric parameters. About 72.7% of infants aged 0–6 months received exclusive breastfeeding. In the 6–12-month-old group (n = 235), 91.5% had salt added to foods. In a regression model adjusted for age, a low salt diet resulted a significant factor in increasing weight-for-length and BMI for age z-scores, with increments equal to 0.637 SD (p = 0.037) and 0.650 SD (p = 0.036), respectively.In West Bengal infants showing poor growth, breastfeeding was associated with better anthropometric indexes, but early in life salt is added to their diet. Early life low weight coupled with high salt intake may be a risk factor for arterial hypertension in Indian children.

Prevention of Arterial Hypertension in Adolescents with Existing Risk Factors in Rural Clinics

The objective: to determine the frequency and impact of risk factors among adolescent children in the countryside on the possibility of arterial hypertension (AH) development and to devise the family doctor recommendations for its prevention. Patients and methods. The cohort study of 214 children at the age of 12–17 years who attend Khotiv educational complex «Secondary school of I–III levels – gymnasium» in Kiev region was implemented in order to identify the elevated numbers of blood pressure (BP) and the impact of risk factors on the development of hypertension in future. The sociological poll about the existing risk factors for cardio-vascular disease, the measurement of height and weight with the following bodymass index (BMI) calculation, the Rufe’s test for evaluating the physical efficiency, the BP measurement in the office, the electrocardiography (ECG), the blood pressure daily monitoring (BPDM) and the ophthalmoscopy were carried out. Results. Pre-hypertension was revealed among 29 children that made 13,6±2,3% of respondents, and arterial hypertension was diagnosed for 25 children that made 11,6±2,2%. Arterial hypertension was detected 2.5 times more often among boys in comparison with girls (8,3±1,9% and 3,3±1,5% accordingly). Most of respondents with arterial hypertension were 141year1old children. The most common complaints of the respondents were sleep disturbance (59,3±3,6%), exertional dyspnea (57,0±3,4%), headache (41,1±3,4%) and rapid fatigue (21,0±2,8%). The following risk factors as sex, hereditary factor for arterial hypertension especially combined with diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke; smoking of respondents, smoking of parents, overuse of products containing the excess of table salt, insufficient use of vegetables and fruit (less than 200 g/day or no daily usage), the use of energy drinks, inactive way of life, low physical activity, the change of body weight (the overweight and the underweight) were significant. Conclusions. The frequency of arterial hypertension among the examined children who live in the countryside is 11.6%, including 8.3% among boys and 3.3% among girls. The main risk factors of arterial hypertension are the overweight, the underweight, the family history of arterial hypertension, the smoking of parents and physical inactivity of children. It has been found out that the absolute risk of arterial hypertension development in future is 40 per cent higher among the smokers, 10 per cent higher among the children whose parents smoke, 20 per cent higher among the dyspn(o)eic respondents, 20 per cent higher among the underweight children, 30 per cent higher among the overweight children, 30 per cent higher among the children with the changes of the fundus of eye, 20 per cent higher among the children with sinus tachycardia and 40 per cent higher among children with a single supraventricular extrasystole or sinus arrhythmia.

Ethnogenetic aspects of obesity and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism as a risk factor of arterial hypertension

Objective - to explore the association of candidate genes of arterial hypertension ACE, ADRA2B, ADRB1, MTHFR and eNOS with obesity and impaired glucose metabolism based on ethnicity. Materials and methods. Clinical and epidemiological study of compactly living population in the remote areas of the Mountain Shoria (Orton, Ust-Kabyrza, Sheregesh settlements, Kemerovo region). 1178 residents of these settlements were surveyed with the help of continuous sampling method; the sample consisted of adults (18 years and older). Results. In the group of respondents of the indigenous nationality averages Quetelet index, waist circumference and fasting blood glucose, depending on the polymorphism of candidate genes of arterial hypertension ACE, ADRA2B, ADRB1, MTHFR and eNOS were lower than in non-indigenous ethnic group surveyed. In a population of Shor was found a statistically significant relationship with the body mass index of ACE gene genotypes in a population of non-indigenous representatives - with genotypes of ADRA2B gene. In the group of indigenous ethnic group revealed the relationship from ACE gene polymorphism. Regardless of nationality, found associative connection of the indicator polymorphism of ADRA2B gene. The level of plasma glucose levels in a population of non-indigenous ethnic group was correlated with genotypes of ADRA2B gene. Conclusion. Metabolic abnormalities were detected less frequently in indigenous ethnic group compared with the non-indigenous. In Shor group ACE DD genotype and ADRA2B genes associated with obesity, the genotype 4a/4a eNOS gene - with abdominal obesity. In the group of non-indigenous ethnic group CC genotype of the MTHFR gene was associated with abdominal obesity, II genotype of ACE gene and DD ADRA2B gene - with impaired carbohydrate metabolism.

Can continuous positive air way pressure reverse carotid artery atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnea?

BackgroundData from epidemiological studies and randomized clinical trials strongly suggest that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular events. Although OSA and cardiovascular diseases share many risk factors, studies have demonstrated that OSA is an independent risk factor of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. ObjectiveTo determine the impact of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with OSA. Methods40 newly diagnosed OSA patients were assigned into two groups. Conservative treatment group (CT, n=20) which refused CPAP treatment, and CPAP group (CPAP, n=20) which received CPAP treatment. CIMT was determined at baseline and after 6months. ResultsMean follow-up time was 6.1±2.1months. At baseline, all measurements were similar in both groups and did not change significantly in CT group after 6months. In contrast, a significant change occurred in CIMT in CPAP group (8 (20) vs. −115 (10)μm, p=0.03) from baseline. ConclusionCPAP significantly reduced CIMT in OSA patients.

Factores de riesgo para hipertensión arterial en población adulta de una región urbana de Ecuador

Objectives . To determine the risk factors for arterial hypertension (HTN) in the adult resident population of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador Materials and methods A cross-sectional analytical study of adults selected via multistage random sampling who underwent clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory evaluations. The diagnosis of HTN was defined according to the JNC-7 criteria. A multiple logistic regression model was performed Results A total of 318 persons were included. The prevalence of HTN was 25.8% (males: 27.2% vs. females: 24.7%; p = 0.617). In the multiple logistic regression model, the risk factors for HTN were age > 60 years (OR, 8.68; 95% CI, 3.56-21.14; p < 0.001), obesity according to body mass index (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.04-5.70; p = 0.042), high caloric intake (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.01- 4.53; p = 0.044), and family history of HTN (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02-2.90; p = 0.040) Conclusions The presence of HTN in this population is associated with both intrinsic and environmental factors, which should be considered in routine evaluations to ensure its early identification and control.

Epidemiology aspects of smoking among pupils (18 years of dynamics)

Objective. To estimate the epidemiology of smoking as one of the risk factors of arterial hypertension during 18 years among Tyumen pupils in order to develop preventive measures. Design and methods. Two crosssectional epidemiology studies among Tyumen pupils were performed. The pupils were randomly selected. The first selection was performed in 1986–1987 (within the cooperative program); 3704 pupils aged 7–15 (1836 boys and 1866 girls) were examined (93% response). The second selection was performed in 2005–2006 by the same method and estimation of blood pressure (BP): 2640 pupils (1308 boys and 1332 girls) aged 7–17 were enrolled (response 87,7%). Attitude to smoking was estimated by anonymous questionnaire. Results. Incidence of smoking among Tyumen boys aged 7–17 is 7,6%, among Tyumen girls — 3,1%; 30,5% boys and 21,2% girls have tried smoking. Incidence of smoking in pupils grows in older groups. Thus, every 5th boy and every 10th girl smoke by 17 years old. Boys have more positive attitude to smoking and more uncertainty of smoking in future than girls. Also, passive smoking among children is frequent. Modern children show interest to smoking in the early age. Boys frequently smoke. The second survey showed significant growth of smoking rates among girls (р < 0,05). An association between active and passive smoking and BP among boys and girls was found. Conclusions. We determined epidemiology status and dynamics of smoking incidence in Tyumen pupils. High rate of smoking among pupils requires immediate implementation of efficient preventive measures.

Primary Thrombophilia in Mexico: A Single Tertiary Referral Hospital Experience

Background: Thrombophilia is a complex hypercoagulable state that predisposes to thrombosis. Several thrombophilia reports have been conducted in Mexicans with lack of statistical significance. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of primary thrombophilia in a tertiary referral hospital in Mexico.Material and methods: Retrospective study of patients referred for primary thrombophilia between January 2011 and May 2015.. Thrombophilia study included: MTHFR C677T, anti-phopholipid antibodies, protein C, protein S, antithrombin, factor VIII, factor V Leiden, prothrombin mutation G20210A, APCR, JAK2 V617F, homocysteine. We used descriptive statistics according to the distribution of the variables. We used measures of central tendency and dispersion: average, median. All analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows 20.0®Results: We identified 224 patients referred for thrombophilia testing in a 4 year period. At the time of statistical analysis 129 patients were excluded for lacking data.Ninety five patients were included.Median age at onset was 36 years. (Table 1) Nine of 60 (15%) female patients reported previous use of contraceptives and 13/60 (21.6%) reported previous obstetric morbidity. (Table 2). We identified at least one anomaly related with thrombophilia in 90/95 patients (94.7%). Eighty patients (84.1%) presented the MTHFR C677T polymorphism; heterozygous 51/95 (53.6%) presenting with hyperhomocysteinemia 18/51 (35.2%) and homozygous 29/95 (30.5%) presenting with hyperhomocysteinemia 10/29 (34.4%).Factor V Leiden was found in 5/95 (5.2%) heterozygous. It co-occurred with APCR in 3/5 cases (60%).In 44 patients we found an isolated anomaly associated with thrombophilia (46.3%). In 51/95 (53.6%) we identified co-occurring anomalies associated with thrombophilia. (Table 3). The median of co-occurring anomalies was 2 (2-4).Conclusions: The MTHFR C677T polymorphism has a very high prevalence in Mexicans compared to the low prevalence of anticoagulant protein deficiency and factor V Leiden mutation.Table 1Demographic characteristics.Demographic characteristicsNo. Patients (%)-Gender Male Female Total35 (36.8) 60 (63.1) 95 (100)-Age Median years (range)36 (17-75)-Family history of thrombosis-Cardiovascular risk factors Arterial Hypertension Diabetes mellitus Dyslipidemia Smoking15 (15.7) 13 (13.6) 11 (11.5) 13 (13.6) 15 (15.7)-Surgery related thrombosis3 (3.1)-Cancer related thrombosis3 (3.1)-Autoimmune disease SLE Other autoimmune disease11 (11.5) 3 (3.1) 8 (8.4)SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Table 2Thrombosis characteristics.Thrombosis characteristicsNo. Patients (%)-Thrombotic events Median (range)1 (1-4)-Affected territory Venous Arterial Mixed80 (84.2) 14 (14.7) 1 (1)-Thrombophilia testing indication Age at onset <45 years. Family history of thrombosis Unusual site thrombosis Intra abdominal thrombosis Cerebral vein thrombosis Other unusual site thrombosis Recurrent thrombosis Obstetric morbidity More than one indication for testing91 (95.7) 77 (81) 15 (15.7) 48 (50.5) 25/48 (52) 11/48 (22.9) 12/48 (25) 26 (27.3) 13/60 (21.6) 62 (65.2)-Treatment VKA LMWH Clopidogrel NOAC's ASA None ND44 (46.3) 3 (3.1) 1 (1) 8 (8.4) 14 (14.7) 6 (6.3) 19 (20)VKA: Vitamin K Antagonist LMWH: Low Molecular Weight Heparin; NOAC's: New oral anticoagulants; ASA: acetylsalicylic acid. ND: Not described.Table 3Results of thrombophilia anomalies.TROMBOPHILIATOTAL FREQUENCYISOLATED FREQUENCYCO-OCCURRING WITH ANOTHER THROMBOPHILIA ANOMALY.-MTHFR C677T heterozygous51/95 (53.6%).22/51 (43.1%)29/51 (56.8%)-Hyperhomocysteinemia36/95 (37.8%).6/36 (16.6%)30/36 (83.3%)-MTHFR C677T homoczygous29/95 (30.5%).14/29 (48.2%)15/29 (51.7%)-APCR13/95 (13.6%).013/13 (100%)-F V Leiden G1691A5/95 (5.2%)05/5 (100%)-Protein C deficiency5/95 (5.2%)05/5 (100%)-Elevated FVIII levels (>150%)4/95 (4.2%)04/4 (100%)-Protein S deficiency3/95 (3.1%)1/3 (33.3%)2/3 (66.6%)-APS3/95 (3.1%)03/3 (100%)-Prothrombin G20210A2/95 (2.1%).02/2 (100%)-JAK2V617F1/95 (1.0%)1/1 (100%)0-Antithrombin deficiency000MTHFR: methylentetrahidrofolate reductase; APCR: Activated protein C resistance; APS: Antiphospholipid syndrome. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

INTEGRAL ASSESSMENT OF WORK-RELATED ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION RISK FACTORS

Aim. To analyze professional predisposition of an integral parameters of arterial hypertension risk factors (AHRF) in economically active citizens. Material and methods. According to the working conditions we grouped 4800 workers of Kemerovo region into 11 professional groups. For integral assessment of AHRF we invented the calculation method of AHRF load as a summation of relative risks multiplications of 17 risk factors of cardiovascular riskwith the significance of these factors for chances of arterial hypertension (AH) development. Also we calculated relative AH risk in professional groups; as a referent group we used the whole selection (all professions). Results. In comparison with the whole selection 3 groups have the highest loads of AHRF, in one profession there are moderate AHRF loads and the other groups show significantly less load of AHRF. Ranges of the risks of AH development relate to the ranges of AHRF ranges in professional groups, the decrease of AHRF is followed by the decrease of relative risk of AH. Correlation analysis of AH development risks and AHRF load in professional groups showed positive strong relationship with coefficient 0,83withp=0,0018. Conclusion. The results of the study witness the one directional relationship of AHRF load and AH development risks from working conditions. Maximum values of AH RF load and AH risks are mostly shown in professional groups with no significant labor levels and levels of working environment influence, that is, it seems, reflects a selection influence on workers health. Usage of the integral AHRF method is possible for other professional groups and with another conditions of general selection forming (geographic, social and economic, ecological) as another selections of the cardiovascular risk factors selections.

HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE IN COVERT ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION OF A LARGE FACTORY EMPLOYEE

Aim. To study structural and functional changes of myocardium, that are explained as the signs of hypertensive heart disease (HHD), in covert arterial hypertension (CAH) at the workplace of a large factory employee using echocardiography (EchoCG). Material and methods. One-time cohort study under the frames of annual prophylactic medical screening of a large factory employee. Totally 376 workers studied with normotension and arterial hypertension (AH) (47,9% males), with office blood pressure (OBP) 115 g/m2 in men and >95 g/ m2 in women. Results. Among workers with normal OBP not receiving AHT, CAH revealed in 50% cases; in workers with AHT, covert treatment insufficiency of AH (CTI AH) — in 24,8%. In CAH and CTI AH by the data of EchoCG there are signs of LVH: increase of the left ventricle thickness, back wall, LVMMI, that are comparable with those in patients with stable AH (St. AH) — the ambulatory BP (Amb.BP) and OBP also increased. In CAH comparing to normotonics there is an increase of E/A equation by increase of the A (p<0,0001). The most prevalent in CAH and CTI AH was concentric LVH — in 60% and 78,1 cases, respectively, and concentric remodeling — in 15% cases in both groups, that is comparable to the patients with St. AH, receiving and not receiving AHT. Eccentric LVH was found in 5% and 1,6%, normal LV structure in 20% and 4,7% in groups with SAH and CTI AH, respectively. Conclusion. Prominence and prevalence of HHI in CAH at workplace as at the background of AHT, and without it, are comparable to the prominence and prevalence of myocardium damage in workers with nontreated St. AH and workers receiving non-effective AHT. Due to high prevalence of CAH and CTI AH found during annual prophylactic screenings, especially in those with AH risk factors, it is important to use ABPM and EchoCG for on time prescription and correction of AHT.

Para- and perirenal ultrasonographic fat thickness is associated with 24-hours mean diastolic blood pressure levels in overweight and obese subjects

BackgroundRenal sinus fat (RSF) has been recognized as a risk factor for arterial hypertension. This study was addressed to examine whether also para- and perirenal fat accumulation is associated to higher 24-h mean systolic (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels in overweight and obese subjects.MethodsA cohort of 42 overweight and obese patients, 29 women and 13 men, aged 25–55 years, not treated with any kind of drug, was examined. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting insulin and glucose serum levels, insulin resistance (assessed by using the homeostasis model assessment [HOMAIR]), and 24-h aldosterone urine levels were measured. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was measured with 15 min intervals from 7.0 a.m. to 11.0 a.m. and with 30 min intervals from 23.0 to 7.0 for consecutive 24 h, starting from 8:30 AM. Measurement of para- and perirenal fat thickness was performed by ultrasounds by a duplex Doppler apparatus.ResultsPara- and perirenal ultrasonographic fat thickness (PUFT) was significantly and positively correlated with WC (p < 0.01), insulin (p < 0.01), HOMAIR (p < 0.01), and 24-h mean DBP levels (p < 0.05). 24-h mean DBP was also significantly and positively correlated with 24-h aldosterone urine concentrations (p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis by multiple linear regression was performed; the final model showed that the association of 24-h mean DBP as dependent variable with PUFT (multiple R = 0.34; p = 0.026) and daily aldosterone production (multiple R = 0.59; p = 0.001) was independent of other anthropometric, hormone and metabolic parameters.Discussion and ConclusionsThis study shows a positive independent association between PUFT and mean 24-h diastolic blood pressure levels in overweight and obese subjects, suggesting a possible direct role of PUFT in increasing daily diastolic blood pressure.

Risk Factors of Arterial Hypertension Among Mongolian Nurses

Objectives: This study aims to survey the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension (HTN) among nurses. Methods: Data was collected from 528 nurses of 23 hospitals in Ulaanbaatar (UB) and local hospitals in other regions. We randomly selected day-shift only nurses (264) and shift nurses (264), collected blood samples, administered a health survey questionnaire, and processed data with SPSS 19.0 statistic software.&#x0D; Results: Overall, 8% of participants who work for shift and 7.2% of day working nurses are smokers (p&lt;0.0001). 3.2% of shift working nurses and 3.8% day working nurses use overuse alcohol (p&lt;0.0001). The day working nurses and the shift working nurses and compared their BMI to measured normal (42.1% and 36.4%) overweight (39.7% and 43.9%), obesity (18.2% and 19.7%) (p&lt;0.02), central obesity normal (39.4% and 34.5%), and central obesity≥ 80 (60.6% and 65.5%), body fat percentages are normal (29.2% and 16.1%) and increase (70.8% and 73.9%), visceral obesity are normal (65.9% and 63.3%) and increase (34.1% and 36.7%). Nurses (day-work and shift-work) who have arterial HTN are detected by normal (72.3% and 59.1%), prodromal period (14.4% and 16.7%), 1st stage (12.1% and 19.7%), 2nd stage (1.2% and 4.5%) (p&gt;&lt;0.002). central obesity normal (39.4% and 34.5%), and central obesity≥ 80 (60.6% and 65.5%), body fat percentages are normal (29.2% and 16.1%) and increase (70.8% and 73.9%), visceral obesity are normal (65.9% and 63.3%) and increase (34.1% and 36.7%). Nurses (day-work and shift-work) who have arterial HTN are detected by normal (72.3% and 59.1%), prodromal period (14.4% and 16.7%), 1st stage (12.1% and 19.7%), 2nd stage (1.2% and 4.5%) (p&lt;0.002). Working time of nurses detected that shift working nurses’ arterial hypertension amount is higher than day time working nurses.&#x0D; Conclusion: 24.2% of shift working nurses have HTN is showed that higher than day time working nurses. Hypertension is directly related to overweight, obesity, visceral obesity and high blood glucose level. (p&lt;0.0001). &gt;&lt;0.0001).

PP.24.14

Objective: To assess the risk factors of preeclampsia in pregnant women with chronic arterial hypertension (AH) and gestational hypertension (GH). Design and method: The pilot clinical trial involved 109 pregnant women, including 59 women with GH, 14 women with chronic AH, 36 women with intrapartum AH. Mean age was 31.2 (27.5; 34.8) years. At pregnancy week 12, the mean systolic blood pressure (BP) was 118.5 (106.2; 127.4) mm Hg, the mean diastolic BP was 76.8 (72.5; 81.0) mm Hg. The women with AH were allocated to two groups: Arm 1 - 73 pregnant women with AH without preeclampsia; Arm 2 - 36 pregnant women with AH who subsequently experienced preeclampsia. The following characteristics were compared: risk factors of AH, changes of blood pressure (12, 16, 20, 26, 30, 36 weeks of pregnancy, intrapartum); functional characteristics of the target organs; dopplerographic systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio of the uterine artery velocities. Results: The analysis of correlations revealed strong direct association between the intrapartum systolic BP and serum creatinine starting from the Week 12 of the pregnancy (r = 0.63; p = 0.002); strong, significant reverse association between the intrapartum systolic BP and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured using the MDRD equation (r = -0.67; p = 0.006); moderate direct association between the intrapartum systolic BP and Week 16 and Week 20 systolic BP (r = 0.39; p = 0.044 and r = 0.41; p = 0.021, respectively) and diastolic BP (r = 0.31; p = 0.024 and r = 0.30; p = 0.045, respectively); echographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (r = 0.44; p = 0.002); moderate, but significant inverse association with dopplerographic S/D ratio of the uterine arteries (r = -0.32; p = 0.018). No significant associations of intrapartum systolic blood pressure with the age, body mass index, systolic BP at pregnancy weeks 12, 26, 30 and 36, diastolic BP at pregnancy weeks 20, 26 and 30 were revealed. Conclusions: Besides systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (particularly during the second trimester), the following variables act as the risk factors of preeclampsia in pregnant women with chronic and gestational hypertension: first trimester kidney filtration function as measured by the serum creatinine and GFR (MDRD), LVMI (even within the normal range) and decreased dopplerographic S/D ratio of the uterine arteries.

Medical and social risk factors for arterial hypertension in coal miners

The risk of cardiovascular complications increases steadily with increases in arterial pressure and is significantly intensified in the presence of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, stress, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus). It reduces the quality of life, which is especially important for people, engaged in heavy physical labor. The most common medical and social risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypertension in coal miners are the following: overweight and obesity, bad habits and lack of education. The further study of the prevalence pattern of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in coal miners is required to develop, implement and evaluate the efficiency of preventive measures towards reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Knowledge and prevalence of risk factors for arterial hypertension and blood pressure pattern among bankers and traffic wardens in Ilorin, Nigeria.

High job strain, mental stress, sedentary lifestyle, increase in BMI are among the factors associated with significantly higher incidence of hypertension. The job of bank employees is both sedentary in nature and accompanies high mental stress. The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge of risk factors among respondents and to compare the blood pressure pattern of bankers and traffic wardens. The study design is a descriptive cross-sectional conducted among bankers and traffic wardens in Ilorin to determine the pattern and knowledge of blood pressure. Self-administered questionnaires, weighing scale (Omron Digital scale), stadiometer and sphygmomanometer were used as the research instruments. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents involved in the study. The prevalence of hypertension in this study was 34.4% in bankers and 22.2% in traffic wardens. The risk factors the bankers commonly had knowledge of are alcohol, obesity, high salt intake, certain drugs, stress, emotional problems and family history while the traffic wardens commonly had knowledge of all these in addition to cigarette smoking. Also, more bankers (32.2%) than traffic wardens (13.3%) were smoking cigarette and more of these cigarette smokers that are bankers (17.8%) had elevated blood pressure compared to the traffic wardens (3.3%). Workers in the banking industry as well as traffic wardens should be better educated about the risk factors of hypertension and bankers should be encouraged to create time for exercise.

Metabolic disorder and obesity in 5027 Brazilian postmenopausal women

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of obesity in postmenopausal women and assess the potential effects of increased body mass index (BMI) on lipoprotein profile and on risk factors for arterial hypertension and diabetes.Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 5027 postmenopausal Brazilian women. Analyses were performed of BMI and cardiovascular factors (systemic blood pressure [BP], total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein [HDL-C], triglyceride, and fast glucose). The statistical analysis included the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. The significance level was set at 5%.Results: Obesity (BMI >30) in our study characterized approximately 30% of the 5027 postmenopausal women. The comparison of patients with normal BMI and those with high BMI showed that high BMI had a significant negative effect on BP, as evidenced by the increased frequency of hypertension in overweight and obese patients (>25) (p < 0.001), that it also negatively and significantly affected triglyceride (p < 0.001) and fast glucose levels (p < 0.001), and that it was linked significantly to low levels of HDL-C.Conclusion: Our data showed the high frequency of obesity in our population and of the cardiovascular risks (glucose, systemic arterial hypertension, and low HDL-C) associated with high BMI.

Arterial hypertension in a murine model of sleep apnea

To investigate whether NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributes to the emergence of arterial hypertension in a murine model of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for arterial hypertension and it is linked to oxidative stress. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) for 6 weeks (5 days/week, 8 h/day, alternating cycles of hypoxia and normoxia, each lasting 120 s, nadir FiO2: 7%). Blood pressure was monitored by telemetric catheters implanted into the abdominal aorta. Pharmacological inhibition of NOX by apocynin and NOX2-deficient mice were used to assess the role of NOX in CIH-induced arterial hypertension. NOX2 gene expression was measured by real-time PCR in different cardiovascular tissues. When compared with room air conditions, wild-type mice showed significant blood pressure elevations after exposure to CIH. This response was attenuated after treating animals with apocynin and in NOX2 (=gp91) knockout mice, whereas NOX2 was not upregulated in the heart, aorta, and femoral/carotid arteries of CIH mice. We suggest that the CIH-induced arterial hypertension is mediated by ROS derived from an activation of NOX2 within cells located outside the cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular Risk for Workers in Big, Infrastructure Projects

For many years the Florentine area has been involved in carrying out big, infrastructure projects. These projects are very complex and the workforce employed to construct them, coming from all parts of Italy and also from abroad, are represented by workers with a high level of specialization, exposed to several and harmful risk factors. The majority live far from their family for long periods of time, mainly in base camps far from residential areas, sometimes isolated, without the possibility of dedicating their free time to social, cultural, sport and/or recreational activities. The objective of our study is to evaluate in this category of workers which working risk factors and styles of life represent a major risk factor for arterial hypertension which, in turn, significantly increases cardiovascular risk. A significant majority of workers carry out mansions of carpenter/soldered and of machine/excavator driver, in charge of dirt handling. The sample also includes numerous miners and drivers. The workers' average age is 45 years old and a high working seniority. Arterial hypertension is present in 139 subjects, equaling to 54% of the sample. The distribution of frequency of arterial hypertension is greater in the class of drivers, followed by the class of site managers and construction machines/excavator drivers. It is believed that the risk factors to which the workers studied are exposed, constitute elements that facilitate the onset of a state of arterial hypertension; among these, the stress correlated to a task which requires, lengthened attention and concentration, resulted as being the most important factor.

Cardiovascular Risk for Workers in Big, Infrastructure Projects Dott.ssa Martina Speziale - ASL 10 Firenze Dott.ssa Norma Barbini - Osservatorio Epidemiologico Professionale INRCA Ancona

Objectives: The objective of our study is to evaluate in infrastructure projects workers which working risk factors and styles of life represent a major risk factor for arterial hypertension which, in turn, significantly increases cardiovascular risk. Methods: 257 workers were subject to three investigation instruments, following the French ESTEV methodology, modified in Italy by Barbini and Squadroni and later by Barbini, Bigger; one questionnaire was on professional conditions, one on the styles of extra work life, and was a medical questionnaire to obtain the objective health conditions of the workers. Results: Arterial hypertension is present in 139 subjects, equaling to 54% of the sample. The distribution of frequency of arterial hypertension is greater in the class of drivers, followed by the class of site managers and construction machines/excavator drivers. Discussion and conclusion: It is believed that the risk factors to which the workers studied are exposed, constitute elements that facilitate the onset of a state of arterial hypertension; among these, the stress correlated to a task which requires, lengthened attention and concentration, resulted as being the most important factor (OR=3.71).