Blood Pressure In Young Men Research Articles

Positive correlation between body weight and body mass index with blood pressure in young adults.

Study assessing the correlation between body weight and body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure in young adults is still limited. The aim of this was to investigate the link between body weight and BMI with blood pressure, as well as to assess how much increasing of body weight and BMI contribute to raising blood pressure in young men and women. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,107 healthy young adults aged 18-22 years (women, n=705; men, n=402). Chi-squared test was used to assess the association between body weight and BMI with blood pressure. The Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis were used to determine the correlation and direction of the relationship between body weight and BMI with blood pressure. Our data indicated the associations between body weight and BMI with blood pressure (both had p=0.001). There was a strong correlation between body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r=0.709; p<0.001), whereas the correlation between body weight and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was moderate (r=0.374; p<0.001). BMI moderately influenced SBP and DBP (r=0.488 and r=0.358; p<0.001). A linear correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between body weight and BMI with blood pressure, where an increase in body weight of 1 kg resulted an increase in SBP of 0.725 mmHg and DBP of 0.318 mmHg. In addition, an increase in BMI of 1 kg/m2 followed by an increase in SBP and DBP of 1.6 mmHg and 0.834 mmHg, respectively. This study highlights that nutritional status in young men and women is linked and has a positive correlation with blood pressure.

Mid-Upper Arm Circumference vs Body Mass Index in Association with Blood Pressure in Young Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hypertension and obesity are major risks factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is one of the leading causes of mortality. Many studies have shown that body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements are associated with blood pressure in children and adults. However, the association has not been studied extensively in young men. This study aims to investigate the correlation between BMI with blood pressure and MUAC and MUAC with blood pressure in young men. This is a cross-sectional study that consisted of 38 male participants who met the criteria. Blood pressure, BMI, and MUAC were measured using standard procedures. The mean of BMI, MUAC, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (SBP) was 24.68±4.41 kg/m2, 30.23±5.45 cm, 117.39±10.47 mmHg, and 75.57±8.44 mmHg, respectively. The Pearson correlation test between the BMI with SBP and BMI with DBP was statistically significant (p≤0.05) with r=0.446 and r=0.537, respectively. Contrarily, the MUAC and blood pressure show no significant association. This study concluded a moderate positive correlation of BMI with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in young men subjects.

Obesity does not Impair Ambulatory Cardiovascular and Autonomic Responses Post-exercise.

This study aimed to assess whether obesity and/or maximal exercise can change 24 h cardiac autonomic modulation and blood pressure in young men. Thirty-nine men (n: 20; 21.9±1.8 kg·m-2, and n: 19; 32.9±2.4 kg·m-2) were randomly assigned to perform a control (non-exercise) and an experimental day exercise (after maximal incremental test). Cardiac autonomic modulation was evaluated through frequency domain heart rate variability (HRV). Obesity did not impair the ambulatory HRV (p>0.05), however higher diastolic blood pressure during asleep time (p=0.02; group main effect) was observed. The 24 h and awake heart rate was higher on the experimental day (p<0.05; day main effect), regardless of obesity. Hypotension on the experimental day, compared to control day, was observed (p<0.05). Obesity indicators were significantly correlated with heart rate during asleep time (Rho=0.34 to 0.36) and with ambulatory blood pressure(r/Rho=0.32 to 0.53). Furthermore, the HRV threshold workload was significantly correlated with ambulatory heart rate (r/Rho=- 0.38 to-0.52). Finally, ambulatory HRV in obese young men was preserved; however, diastolic blood pressure was increased during asleep time. Maximal exercise caused heart rate increase and 24h hypotension, with decreased cardiac autonomic modulation in the first hour, regardless of obesity.

Interrupting Prolonged Sitting With Different Walking Intensities And Durations: Effects On Resting Blood Pressure

BACKGROUND: Greater time spent in sedentary behaviour is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and mortality. Regularly interrupting prolonged sitting with 2-min light-intensity and 2-min moderate-intensity walking every 20 minutes without matching for energy expenditure has been shown to reduce resting blood pressure. However, little is known whether interrupting prolonged sitting with 3-min light-intensity walking and 1.5-min brisk walking every 30 min when the energy expenditure of these trials is matched provides similar benefits on resting blood pressure. PURPOSES: To compare the effects of 1.5-min moderate-intensity walking every 30 minutes and 3-min light-intensity walking every 30 minutes on resting blood pressure in young men with central obesity when the energy expenditure of these trials is matched. METHODS: Sixteen East-Asian men with central obesity (mean age: 22.3 ± 4.2 years; body mass index: 29.9 ± 1.7 kg·m-2; waist circumference: 100.3 ± 5.9 cm) completed three, 7-h laboratory-based conditions in a randomised order: 1) prolonged sitting (SIT), 2) 3-min (at 20 - 39% of VO2 reserve) and 3) 1.5-min (at 40 - 59% of VO2 reserve). Each trial was separated by a 6-day washout period. Resting blood pressure was measured hourly using automated sphygmomanometer in a seated position (mean of two recordings, ≥ 15-min post-activity). Generalised Estimating Equations were used to examine differences among the three conditions. RESULTS: Resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduced in the 3-min condition (mean ± SEM; 119 ± 2 mmHg) but not in 1.5-min condition (120 ± 2 mmHg) when compared with SIT condition (123 ± 3 mmHg, P = 0.028). Resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduced in both 3-min (75 ± 2 mmHg) and 1.5-min (75 ± 2 mmHg) conditions compared with SIT condition (76 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.024 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Interrupting prolonged sitting with 3-min of light-intensity walking every 30 minutes is more effective on reducing resting blood pressure when compared to the trial with 1.5-min of moderate-intensity walking every 30 minutes in young East-Asian men with central obesity.

P0151SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN HYPERTENSION ACCORDING TO THE CHANGE OF URINE SODIUM AND VOLUME EXCRETION BY SEX OR MENOPAUSE

Abstract Background and Aims A recent study demonstrated female rats more rapidly excreted urine sodium and water under saline bolus infusion than male rats, and suggested sexual dimorphisms in renal transporters. However, the sexual differences in renal salt and water excretion was not yet investigated with human data. We purposed to clarify whether the sexual difference of natriuretic and diuretic ability exists, and it contributes to decreasing blood pressure (BP) in nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Method This is a secondary analysis of an open-label, randomized, controlled study determining the effect of intensive low-salt diet education on BP and albuminuria in nondiabetic CKD patients. A total of 235 patients had stopped all renin-angiotensin blocking agents or diuretics during a run-in period for eight weeks (0w). After the run-in period, they received olmesartan (40mg daily) for eight weeks (8w), and then maintained the same medicine with low-salt diet education for an additional eight weeks (16w). Results Mean age of premenopausal women (n=50), same-aged young men (n=76), postmenopausal women (n=68), and same-aged older men (n=41) was 40.7, 40.2, 59.0, and 69.9 years old, respectively. Their MDRD eGFR was 76.2, 71.6, 59.8, and 58.8 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was lower in premenopausal women (129/79 mmHg) than in young men (134/83 mmHg). Daily salt intake decreased in 16w in premenopausal women (1839 → 1288mg, p=0.008) and young men (2494 → 1552mg, p=0.001) compared with them in 0w, while there was no significant change in postmenopausal women (2443 → 2171mg, p=0.610) and older men (2870 → 2366mg, p=0.458). Except for the premenopausal women (136 (0w) → 133 (16w) mEq/day, p=0.749), urine sodium excretion for 24 hours significantly decreased in 16w compared with that in 0w or 8w (young men: 154 (8w) → 137 (16w)mEq/day p=0.042, postmenopausal women: 152 (0w) → 128m (16w)Eq/day p=0.016, older men: 181 (0w) → 145 (16w)mEq/day p=0.019). Also, urine volume was significantly larger in the premenopausal women than in young men in 8w and 16w (8w: 1009 vs. 980mL p=0.002, 16w: 1004 vs. 978mL, p=0.006), while it was not different between postmenopausal women and older men (8w: 1002 vs. 990 p=0.347, 16w: 1003 vs. 1001 p=0.895). The urine volume was positively correlated with BP in the premenopausal women, while it was negatively associated with BP in young men in 16w. Conclusion Although sodium intake was similarly decreased in premenopausal women and young men, urine sodium excretion did not fall, and urine volume increased in premenopausal women. This phenomenon disappeared in postmenopausal women. Augmented natriuretic and diuretic potency might contribute to lower BP in premenopausal women with nondiabetic CKD.

The effect of nebivolol and ramipril on selected biochemical parameters, arterial stiffness, and circadian profile of blood pressure in young men with primary hypertension: A 12-week prospective randomized, open-label study trial.

Background:The pleiotropic effects of hypotensive drugs should always be taken into consideration. There is limited data on the effect of such drugs on reducing global cardiovascular risk in young hypertensives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nebivolol and ramipril on biochemical parameters, arterial stiffness, and circadian profile of blood pressure (BP) in young men undergoing treatment for hypertension (HT).Methods:A total of 80 patients aged 16 to 28 years of age with grade 1 HT were enrolled into the prospective randomized, open-label trial. They were randomized to receive 5 mg of nebivolol or 5 mg of ramipril, daily. Arterial stiffness index (SI), the circadian profile of BP registered in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and biochemical parameters—including lipid profile, insulinemia, glycemia, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels—were evaluated before and after the twelve-week period.Results:After the treatment period, we observed significant decreases in both ABPM systolic blood pressure (SBP) in group of nebivolol (P = .0007) and ramipril (P = .0001) and in ABPM diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in group of nebivolol (P = .0018) and ramipril (P = .0006). Reductions in the nondippers percentage were found in group of nebivolol and ramipril (P = .0077, P = .0001 respectively). Ramipril treatment resulted in a significant plausible modification in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = .0390), glucose (P = .0213), and hsCRP (P = .0053) concentrations, as well as decreased SI (P = .0009) value, while nebivolol treatment showed no such benefits.Conclusions:Despite the similar hypotensive effect of nebivolol and ramipril, ramipril seems to possess better clinical potential in reducing cardiovascular risk in young men with HT.

Sex‐specific Conditions Affecting Vascular Tone, Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognition

There are sex and sex‐hormone specific differences in autonomic nervous system control of blood pressure. The sympathetic nerve fibers of the autonomic nervous system innervate skeletal muscle blood vessels, initiating vasoconstriction, and thus regulate blood flow and vascular tone. This regulation of vascular tone is different between men and women, such that estrogen increases the activity of the b2‐adrenergic receptor activity (causing vasodilation) which offset sympathetically‐mediated vasoconstriction and results in lower blood pressure values in young women. Higher sympathetic nerve activity is associated with greater augmented aortic blood pressure in young men, but lower augmented aortic blood pressure in young women. Such differences in blood pressure regulation will likely have effects that extend beyond blood pressure, affecting blood flow, and ultimately tissue structure and function. For example, higher aortic blood pressure and greater arterial stiffness of the central arteries are associated with white matter hyperintensity fraction in normotensive postmenopausal women and older adults. In addition, there are conditions unique to women, menopause and pregnancy, that further affect blood pressure and blood flow regulation. Pregnancy constitutes a stress that challenges the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow in women. Hypertensive conditions of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, carry life‐long risk for developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We evaluated the influence of pregnancy history in postmenopausal women on vascular function, cerebral blood flow, and cognition 35 years after pregnancy. Aortic blood pressure was associated with lower cognitive function scores in women with a history of preeclampsia. Additionally, women with a history of preeclampsia had lower cerebral blood flow responses to a vasodilatory stimulus and this was associated with greater intravascular cellular activation. Furthermore, women with a history of preeclampsia and with late‐life hypertension had atrophy in specific regions of the brain, suggesting that pregnancy history may later impact brain structure. Therefore, conditions that a woman may experience during pregnancy may be informative for future risk of disease. In summary, understanding sex‐specific physiological mechanisms, and how this may change over the lifespan is crucial for identification and treatment of individuals at accelerated risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

PS 05-69 PREDICTORS OF HIGH AORTA BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG MEN WITH ISOLATED SYSTOLIC HYPERTENSION

Objective: According to ECS|ESH-2013 guildelines isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in young state needs aorta blood pressure (BP) evaluation, but using of special devices is not common. We try to evaluate the clinical predictors of high aorta BP in young men with ISH. Design and Method: There were included 44 young men (mean age 32.2 ± 1.3yrs) with ISH (mean systolic(SBP)|diastolic(DBP) BP 153.4 ± 2.1|86.9 ± 1.7mmHg), whom were done office and 24-h (for exclusion of white coat hypertension) BP measurements, central SBP (cSBP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) evaluations by Sphygmocor, ECG, EchoCG, anthropometric measurements. Multifactorial regression and incremental analysis were used for evaluation of the high aorta SBP predictors. Results: There were found that among ISH men 17 (38.6%) had normal cSBP (<125 mmHg). In comparison with high cSBP pts, they were characterized by less age (28.2 ± 1.7 vs 34.7 ± 1.6yrs, p = 0.012), more height (186.5 ± 1.6 vs 176.3 ± 1.8 cm, p < 0.001), less BMI (25.2 ± 0.7 vs 29.7 ± 0.8 kg|m2, p = 0.001), lower level of office SBP (146.1 ± 1.7 vs 156.5 ± 2.7mmHg, p < 0.002), but no 24-h SBP (137.7 ± 1.8 vs 138.8 ± 2.4 mmHg, NS), lower aorta PWV (9.3 ± 0.5 vs 11.2 ± 0.5 m|s, p = 0.019). No any other significant differences were found. The presence of high cSBP was correlated with age (r = 0.31, p = 0.04), height (r = −0.30, p < 0.05), weight (r = 0.32, p < 0.034), BMI (r = 0.45, p = 0.002), office SBP (r = 0.38, p < 0.01) and DBP (r = 0.57, p = 0.001). After incremental regression analysis there were found that independent predictors were height < 178 cm (β = 7.038, p = 0.05), weight > 91 kg (β = 5.53, p = 0.033) and office DBP > 80mmHg (β = 4.43, P = 0.05). Two or three predictors were found in 85.2% pts with higher cSBP and only in 17.6% pts with normal sSBP. Conclusions: In 38.6% of young men with ISH the aorta SBP is normal. The predictors of high cSBP in young men with ISH were height < 178 cm, weight > 91 kg and office DBP > 80mmHg. Patients with office ISH and two or three these factors could be treated without aorta BP evaluation.

Prospective relevance of fruit and vegetable consumption and salt intake during adolescence for blood pressure in young adulthood

Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and salt intake are known dietary influences on blood pressure (BP) in adults, but data on their long-term relevance during growth for later BP are rare. We aimed to examine the independent and concomitant influences of adolescent FV and salt intakes on BP in young adulthood. In total, 206 participants (108 males) provided a plausible BP measurement in young adulthood (18-25years) as well as three repeated 3-day weighed dietary records, 24-h urine samples and BP measurements during adolescence (11-16years). FV intake was assessed based on dietary records and its urinary biomarkers such as potassium, oxalate and hippuric acid. Urinary sodium chloride (NaCl) was used to estimate salt intake. Prospective associations of adolescent FV and salt intake with adult BP were examined in sex-stratified linear regression models. In multivariable models, a 100g higher FV intake during adolescence was prospectively related to 0.9mmHg lower systolic BP in young adult females (P=0.02), but not in males (P=0.8). Biomarkers supported the findings for FV regarding systolic BP. Concurrently, a 1g higher salt intake was related to 1.7mmHg higher systolic BP in young men only (P=0.01). For diastolic BP, results were inconsistent. Our findings suggest that in adolescent healthy girls, a higher FV intake may be more relevant for BP than a reduced salt intake and the opposite appears to apply for boys. The physiological implications of the observed sex-specific diet-BP relationships need deeper examination.

Two-week aroma inhalation effects on blood pressure in young men with essential hypertension

AimThe purpose of this study is to assess the effects of two-week aroma inhalation on lowering the blood pressure of young patients with hypertension compared with a saline-treated control group. Participants and methodsForty newly enlisted soldiers undergoing training before placement diagnosed with hypertension were allocated non-randomly either a 2 week-essential oil aroma inhalation (n=20) or saline solution control (n=20). Outcome measures were blood pressure, 24-h ambulatory blood pressures and pulse rate on before, days 2, 5, 9, 12, 14 and 15. ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups, before treatment and 15 days after treatment, in the systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.001) and pulse rate (p=0.02). In addition, the 24-h ambulatory full-time SBP (F=6.16, p=0.02), DBP (F=7.48, p=0.01) and PR (F=4.59, p=0.04) were all significantly different between the two groups (values measured before and after the two-week treatment). When the daytime and nighttime blood pressures were analysed separately, the daytime SBP (F=4.82, p=0.03) and DBP (F=5.68, p=0.02) demonstrated significant differences, but daytime PR, nighttime BP and PR did not. ConclusionA 2 week-aroma oil inhalation lowered the clinic blood pressures and pulse rates measured in the short-term use study. Lower SBP and 24-h ambulatory blood pressures were observed in the long-term use study.

Double-leg isometric exercise training in older men

Double-leg isometric training has been demonstrated to reduce resting blood pressure in young men when using electromyographic activity (EMG) to regulate exercise intensity. This study assessed this training method in healthy older (45–60 years.) men. Initially, 35 older men performed an incremental isometric exercise test to determine the linearity of the heart rate versus percentage peak EMG (%EMGpeak) and systolic blood pressure versus %EMGpeak relationship. Thereafter, 20 participants were allocated to a training or control group. The training group performed three double-leg isometric sessions per week for 8 weeks, at 85% of peak heart rate. The training resulted in a significant reduction in resting systolic (11 ± 8 mmHg, P < 0.05) and mean arterial (5 ± 7 mmHg, P < 0.05) blood pressure. There was no significant change in resting systolic blood pressure for the control group or diastolic blood pressure in either group (all P > 0.05). These findings show that this training method, used previously in young men, is also effective in reducing resting systolic and mean arterial blood pressure in older men.

Whey beverages decrease blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive young men and women

Whey protein beverages reduced blood pressure in young men and women in a six week controlled intervention. There were no differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), or mean arterial pressure (MAP) observed between groups consuming 28 g per day of either hydrolyzed or non-hydrolyzed whey protein in a beverage. However, in young adults with elevated DBP and SBP, whey beverage consumption significantly decreased SBP, DBP, and MAP by 8.0, 8.6, and 6.4 mm Hg, respectively ( P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). In subjects with elevated SBP only, SBP significantly decreased by 3.8 mm Hg ( P ≤ 0.04) after the whey beverage intervention. Subjects with normal blood pressure had no change in SBP, DBP, and MAP. Whey beverages also significantly decreased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations ( P ≤ 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). Whey protein beverages may be useful for the dietary treatment of prehypertension and/or stage 1 hypertension.

Ethnic differences in blood pressure in young men living in similar environment: a study of international adoptees in Sweden

To analyze differences in blood pressure in young men with different ethnic backgrounds but living in similar environment. We utilized information on virtually the total Swedish male population born between 1951 and 1987 including 5388 international adoptees, 8834 Swedish adoptees and 1 469 196 Swedish nonadoptees. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), height and weight were measured during conscription examination at the average age of 18.2 years. SBP was lower in international adoptees than in native-born Swedes regardless of the geographic area of origin of the adoptees. BMI and height partly explained this difference, but additional adjustment for childhood social position only slightly modified the results. The largest difference was observed in adoptees from the Indian subcontinent when compared with native-born Swedes (-5.21 95% confidence intervals -6.16 to -4.27 when adjusted for height, BMI and childhood social position). Slightly lower SBP was also observed in Swedish adoptees when compared with Swedish nonadoptees. The association between BMI and SBP did not differ between international adoptees and native-born Swedes. Our results suggest that international adoptees are not at higher risk for elevated blood pressure in young adulthood than native-born Swedes. Non-white genetic heritage or environmental exposures during pregnancy or in early life specific for adopted children may be associated with lower risk of hypertension.

Influence of Mental Stress on the Plasma Homocysteine Level and Blood Pressure Change in Young Men

Objective. This study aimed to determine whether mental stress influences the plasma total homocysteine level or blood pressure in young men. Method. Twenty-seven male university students were assigned to a normal blood pressure group (24-h systolic blood pressure <125 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <75 mmHg; 13 subjects) or a high blood pressure group (24-h systolic blood pressure ≥125 mmHg, or 24-h diastolic blood pressure ≥75 mmHg; 14 subjects). Wearing an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device, subjects rested for 30 minutes, underwent an arithmetic test for 15 minutes, and rested again for 15 minutes. Blood samples were taken before and after the test. Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured. Heart rate, blood pressure, and sympathovagal balance were determined during the test. Results. The mean total homocysteine level at rest in the high blood pressure group was slightly, but not significantly, higher than that in the normal blood pressure group. The resting total homocysteine level was significantly higher in subjects with parental history of hypertension than in those without (p < 0.01). Blood pressure, heart rate, and the plasma total homocysteine level were increased significantly by mental stress (p < 0.05). The change in total homocysteine correlated significantly with the changes in systolic blood pressure and sympathovagal balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Resting total homocysteine level was significantly higher in male students with a parental history of hypertension than in those without. It was shown that mental stress elevates heart rate, blood pressure, sympathovagal activity, and the plasma total homocysteine level in young men.

Blood HDL Cholesterol Levels Influence Association of Alcohol Intake With Blood Pressure in Young Men But Not in Middle‐Aged Men

Both blood pressure and HDL cholesterol are affected by alcohol drinking. However, it has not been determined whether association of alcohol drinking with blood pressure varies depending on blood HDL level. The subjects were male workers aged 20 to 29 year and 50 to 59 year (n = 21,301), representing young and middle ages, respectively, who had received periodic health checkup examinations. The subjects were divided into tertile groups by serum HDL level, and they were further divided into 3 subgroups based on the average daily alcohol intake [nondrinkers, light drinkers (<30 g of ethanol per day) and heavy drinkers (30 g or more of ethanol per day)]. Blood pressure and incidence of high blood pressure were compared among the 3 alcohol subgroups in each age and HDL group. In the lowest HDL tertile of 20 to 29-year-old subjects, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and incidences of high systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different among the 3 alcohol subgroups. In the middle and highest HDL tertiles of the twenties age group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers, and incidences of high systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers. On the other hand, in all HDL tertile groups of 50 to 59-year-old subjects, blood pressure was significantly higher in light drinkers and heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers, and incidences of high systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers. The results suggest that blood pressure of middle-aged men is elevated by alcohol drinking independently of blood HDL level and is more sensitive to drinking than is blood pressure of young men.

Birth Characteristics and Risk of High Systolic Blood Pressure in Early Adulthood

Although an inverse association between size at birth and blood pressure has been found in several studies, few studies have adjusted for the influence of socioeconomic and familial effects. We investigated whether the association between birth weight and systolic blood pressure in young men is confounded by socioeconomic factors in adolescence or familial factors (ie, common genes and shared environment). Our population-based cohort study comprised 330,768 Swedish men born between 1973 and 1981, and conscripted for military service between 1991 and 2000. The analyses of family effects were restricted to 89,856 siblings from the initial cohort. A high systolic blood pressure at conscription was defined as a systolic blood pressure >/=140 mm Hg. Birth weight for gestational age <-2 standard deviation scores was considered "light for gestational age." Compared with men who had normal birth weight for gestational age, men who had been born light for gestational age were at increased risk of high systolic blood pressure (odds ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.22), even after adjustment for important confounders such as socioeconomic status. The increase in risk of high systolic blood pressure related to 1 standard deviation score decrease in birth weight for gestational age was similar within families (1.08; 1.04-1.12) and between families (1.05; 1.03-1.08). This study suggests that low birth weight for gestational age slightly increases the risk of high systolic blood pressure, and that the association appears not to be confounded by socioeconomic or familial effects.

Sodium intake and cardiac sympatho-vagal balance in young men with high blood pressure.

We have previously reported that a high sodium intake increases sleep-time blood pressure (BP) in young men. However, there are cases in which this relation does not apply. To account for them, we investigated the relation between sodium intake and cardiac sympatho-vagal balance (SVB) in young men with high BP. Sodium intake was estimated from the amount of urinary sodium excretion over 1 week. Twenty-four-hour (24-h) urinary sodium excretion (Salt24), 24-h ambulatory BP and ECG were obtained on the last day of the observation period. As an index of sodium intake, the expression In(Salt24/Cr24) (Cr24, 24-h urinary creatinine excretion) was used. From power-spectral analysis of ECG-RR intervals during sleep, we obtained the LF/HF ratio between the low-frequency component (LF) and the high frequency component (HF) and used it as an index of SVB. The subjects were male medical students divided into a normal BP group (N-group; n=103) and a high BP group (H-group; n=26, 24-h BP>125/75 mmHg). Mean In(Salt24/Cr24) and LF/HF in the H-group were significantly higher than those in the N-group (LF/HF: 1.86+/-0.44 [SD] vs. 1.37+/-0.30, p<0.001). The calculated discriminant function (D) for the H-group and N-group was D=1.6x + 5y - 11, where x is In(Salt24/Cr24) and y is LF/HF. This formula (D) resulted in high discriminant predictive accuracy (82%) between the groups. If D=0 (the value of the cut-off line determining separation of the groups), the relation y=-0.32x + 2.2 (negative relation between y and x) was obtained. These results suggest that excessive sodium intake in combination with accentuated SVB (LF/HF) increases BP in young men.

Acute resistive exercise does not affect ambulatory blood pressure in young men and women.

Resistive exercise elicits a pressor response that results in a dramatic increase in blood pressure (BP) during the exercise. However, it is not known if the BP elevation persists after resistive exercise. This study examined the effects of an acute resistive exercise session on 24-h ambulatory BP in sedentary (5 men, 6 women), resistance-trained (6 men, 6 women), and endurance-trained (4 men, 6 women) young subjects (age 22 +/- 3.2 yr) with normal BP. Two 24-h ambulatory BP recordings were made on each subject, one after two sets of resistive exercise on 12 weight machines and one after 48 h without prior exercise. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP and heart rate (HR) were not different in the hours after and for up to 24 h after the single resistive exercise session compared with the control day. There also was no difference in the ambulatory BP or HR response after the single session of resistive exercise based on the training status of the subjects. Thus, the elevated BP that occurs during resistive exercise does not persist in the 24 h after acute resistive exercise in sedentary, resistance-trained, or endurance-trained, young, normotensive men and women.

Perception of Social Support and Blood Pressure in Young Men

This study investigated the association between perceived social support, blood pressure, and heart rate during rest and stress. 29 men were selected from 184 students on the basis of having high and low perceived social support. During rest and two of the laboratory stressors, the low-support group had higher diastolic pressure than the high-support group. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate did not differ between the two groups during either rest or stress. The low-support group was slightly older (24.8 yr.) than the high-support group (22.4 yr.), but the groups did not differ with respect to parental history of hypertension, body mass index, smoking, anxiety, anger inhibition, or environmental stress.

Birth weight, current body weight, and blood pressure in late adolescence.

Objective--To study the effect of birth weight and body weight on blood pressure in late adolescence. Design--Analysis of data on weight, height, and blood pressure at age 17 of subjects from the Jerusalem perinatal study, according to their birth weight. Data for men and women were analysed separately. Setting--Jerusalem, Israel. Subjects--32,580 subjects (19,734 men and 12,846 women) born in the three major hospitals in Jerusalem during 1964-71 and subsequently drafted in to the army. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Correlations between birth weight and blood pressure at age 17 and weight and height at age 17 and blood pressure. Results--Diastolic and systolic blood pressures were associated with birth weight in both young men and young women, but the correlation coefficients were low. A high body weight at age 17 (greater than 66 kg for women, greater than 75 kg for men) rather than a low birth weight (less than 2500 g) was linked with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both men and women (p less than 0.01). Conclusions--Intrauterine environment, as reflected by birth weight, has little effect on blood pressure in young men and women. Modification of factors which lead to excess weight during adolescence may have a major role in preventing hypertension in adults.