Central Aortic Systolic Pressure Research Articles

Aortic stiffness in patients with wilson's disease.

Wilson's disease (WD) presents with different phenotypes. Neurologic and liver involvement in WD are well documented. Few reports demonstrated cardiac and vascular involvement. Several studies showed an association between serum copper levels and atherosclerosis. Although WD is the prototype disease of copper metabolism, atherosclerosis has not been studied yet. The aim of this study is to assess aortic stiffness in WD. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), central aortic systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse pressures were measured using SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical) device in 32 patients with WD and 24 healthy controls. Patients with WD and healthy controls were similar in terms of age sex, body mass index (BMI), and liver and kiney functions. However, patients with WD were anemic and thrombocytopenic. Echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular, atrial dimensions, and systolic and diastolic functions were similar between two groups. Patients with WD and healthy controls were compared. Baseline characteristics including age, sex, and BMI did not differ between groups. Central aortic systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse pressures were similar between the groups. AP, AIx, and PWV did not differ between groups as well. Aortic stiffness in WD was similar in healthy controls.

The aorta after coarctation repair \u2013 effects of calibre and curvature on arterial haemodynamics

BackgroundAortic shape has been proposed as an important determinant of adverse haemodynamics following coarctation repair. However, previous studies have not demonstrated a consistent relationship between shape and vascular load. In this study, 3D aortic shape was evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA), allowing investigation of the relationship between 3D shape and haemodynamics.MethodsSixty subjects (38 male, 25.0 ± 7.8 years) with repaired coarctation were recruited. Central aortic haemodynamics including wave intensity analysis were measured noninvasively using a combination of blood pressure and phase contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). 3D curvature and radius data were derived from CMR angiograms. PCA was separately performed on 3D radius and curvature data to assess the role of arch geometry on haemodynamics. Clinical findings were corroborated using 1D vascular models.ResultsThere were no independent associations between 3D curvature and any hemodynamic parameters. However, the magnitude of the backwards compression wave was related to the 1st (r = − 0.36, p = 0.005), 3rd (r = 0.27, p = 0.036) and 4th (r = − 0.31, p = 0.017) principle components of radius. The 4th principle componentof radius also correlated with central aortic systolic pressure. These aortas had larger aortic roots, more transverse arch hypoplasia and narrower aortic isthmuses.ConclusionsThere are major modes of variation in 3D aortic shape after coarctation repair witha modest association between variation in aortic radius and pathological wave reflections, but not with 3D curvature. Taken together, these data suggest that shape is not the major determinant of vascular load following coarctation repair, and calibre is more important than curvature.

General Adult Transfer Functions Underestimate Central Aortic Systolic Pressure in Children and Adolescents when Compared to Age-Appropriate Transfer Functions

General Adult Transfer Functions Underestimate Central Aortic Systolic Pressure in Children and Adolescents when Compared to Age-Appropriate Transfer Functions

A3101 The association between early morning hypertension and stroke –related dementia in the elderly

Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence of the pattern of high blood pressure and effects of arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and wave reflections on central aortic pressure (CAP) in hypertensive patients with dementia. Methods: We analyzed 150 hypertensive patients with dementia, investigated using 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Among the HT, classified as early morning hypertension (EMHT) (early morning BP: above 135/85 mmHg and night-time BP: below 120/70 mmHg), Night HT (NHT)(Daytime BP: below 135/85 mmHg and night-time BP: above 120/70 mmHg). And using radial artery applanation tonometry, aortic pulse analysis was performed. Results: 85 patients was observed HT with stroke related dementia. EMHT was found in 55.6% of patients. Compared with patients with both EMHT and NHT, EMHT had higher aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) and AI75 (AI to HR 75 beat/min), ASP (Central aortic systolic pressure) and pulse pressure were also higher in the EMHT. Conclusion: Our study showed that EMHT could have increased stroke related dementia and especially, early morning systolic BP, might be risk factor for cognitive decline. Hence active anti-hypertension treatment benefits prevention of cognitive dysfunction in stroke related dementia.

A17747 Changes in Parameters of Arterial Stiffness with Posture in Hypertensive patients with and without Anti-Hypertensive treatment

Objectives: To determine and compare differences in postural variation for arterial stiffness between hypertensive patients with and without medication Methods: Postural variations of parameters of arterial stiffness are measured in hypertensive patients with medication (41 subjects) and without medication (15 subjects). Operator index, central aortic systolic pressure (ASP), central aortic pulse pressure (APP), Augmentation Index (AI) and brachial systolic pressure (SP) and brachial diastolic pressure (DP) were measured in supine and sitting positions. Hypertensive subjects were chosen based on their ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and had brachial blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg on at least two separate occasions in clinic. The BP characteristics were obtained through SphygmoCor device between 8am to 10am on supine position. After three minutes, values in sitting position were obtained. Informed verbal consent was obtained from all participants and ethics approval was taken before the start of the study. Differences between BP characteristics in supine and sitting were compared using non-parametric paired test of Wilcoxon Signed-rank test. Differences in BP characteristics amongst the different groups of subjects were analysed using Man Whitney U test. A p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant in both tests Results: Statistically significant decrement in APP (38 (35–54 vs 38 (31–48), p = 0.0058) and significant increment in DP (74 (69–83) vs 76 (69–87), p = 0.023) was observed in hypertensive subjects. (Table 1) Conclusion: Postural variation had an effect on APP and DP in hypertensive subjects on anti-hypertensive medications but no effect in subjects off medications. While a postural variations of AI were noted on medications compared to subjects off medication, this was not statistically significant

A12311 The relationship between central aortic systolic blood pressure and prolonged QTc duration among rural community residents

A12311 The relationship between central aortic systolic blood pressure and prolonged QTc duration among rural community residents

A3170 Affecting central aortic systolic pressure

A3170 Affecting central aortic systolic pressure

N-Point Moving Average: A Special Generalized Transfer Function Method for Estimation of Central Aortic Blood Pressure

N-point moving average (NPMA) is a simplified method of central aortic systolic pressure (CASP) estimation in comparison with the generalized transfer function (GTF). The fundamental difference or similarity between the methods is not established. This study investigates theoretical properties of NPMA relative to GTF and explores the integer and fractional denominator for the averaging process in the NPMA. Convolution of a specified square wave and the radial (or brachial) blood pressure waveform constituted the NPMA . A single uniform tube model-based TF (MTF) was employed to investigate potential physiological meaning of NPMA. In experimental analysis, invasive, simultaneously recorded aortic and radial pressure waveforms were obtained in 62 subjects under control conditions and following nitroglycerin administration. CASP was estimated by NPMA (), GTF ( ), and MTF (CASP MTF) from radial waveforms by tenfold cross validation. Theoretical analysis showed that NPMA was an inversed constant TF. Its spectrum matched that of MTF in low frequency (<4Hz for radial and <5Hz for brachial) by optimizing reflection coefficient and propagation time. Experiment results showed the NPMA optimized fractional denominator of K = 4.4 significantly decreased the mean difference between CASPNPMA and measured CASP to 0.0 ± 4.7mmHg from -1.8 ± 4.6mmHg for integer denominator of K = 4. CASPNPMA correlated with CASPMTF and CASP GTF (r2 = 0.99 and 0.97, mean difference: -0.3 ± 1.8 and 0.5 ± 2.7mmHg). This study demonstrated that NPMA is similar in nature to the GTF.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF AZILSARTAN MEDOXOMIL ON TARGET ORGANS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AND METABOLIC SYNDROME

Objective:32 patients with 1–2 stage hypertension, metabolic syndrome (19 men-59%, 13 women-41%, mean age 47.32 ± 8.4 years) were enrolled in a 6 months therapy by azilsartan medoxomil (40 or 80 mg).Design and method:24—hour blood pressure monitoring, echocardiogram, central aortic systolic pressure

Validation of a new piezoelectric device for noninvasive measurement of central aortic systolic blood pressure

The objective of this study was to compare the aortic piezoelectric device for noninvasive measurement of central aortic systolic blood pressure (cSBP) with the SphygmoCor. A total of 85 participants from both sexes, aged 18-80 years, were stratified into three age groups (<30, 30-60, >60 years), with an equal number of healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients. We performed three cSBP measurements with each device, in an alternate manner, using the Bland-Altman method to determine the level of agreement. The standard of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation for brachial blood pressure evaluation was used for the comparison. The mean cSBPs were 109.3±12.05 and 109.0±12.2 mmHg with the SphygmoCor and the Aortic device, respectively, showing a strong correlation (r=0.98, P<0.001). A mean difference of 0.35±2.43 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.87, P=NS) was obtained with the Bland-Altman method. The 95% limits of agreement was -4.4 to +5.1 mmHg. Complying with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation criteria, cSBP measurements obtained with the Aortic and the SphygmoCor devices are equivalent.

Central Aortic Systolic Blood Pressure Exhibits Advantages Over Brachial Blood Pressure Measurements in Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Prediction in Women

Background/Aims: To investigate whether the invasively obtained central aortic systolic blood pressure (CSBP) predicts chronic kidney disease (CKD) better than brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP), brachial diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and brachial pulse pressure (PP) in the middle-aged Chinese population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out across China in 2009-2010 among the subjects aged 35-64 years. CSBP was measured non-invasively by radial artery applanation tonometry B-pro (A-PULSE CASP and corresponding software). CSBP, SBP, DBP and PP were standardized with Z-score and the odds ratios were calculated with multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Data of 10197 participants were analyzed. The multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for possible confounders showed that a 1-standard deviation increment in each blood pressure measurement was associated with greater risk of CKD in both men and women (P < 0.05). The association of CSBP with CKD was stronger than SBP, DBP and PP in women, while in men the association of CSBP with CKD was stronger only than PP. With CSBP and SBP entering into the multivariable logistic regression models jointly, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for CSBP and SBP was 1.57 (1.39-1.79) and 1.22 (1.07-1.38) in women and 1.20 (1.03-1.39) and 1.48 (1.28-1.72) in men, respectively. With CSBP and DBP entering into the multivariable logistic regression models jointly, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for CSBP and DBP was 1.68 (1.52-1.84) and 1.15 (1.04-1.27) in women and 1.30 (1.15-1.46) and 1.45 (1.29-1.63) in men, respectively. With CSBP and PP entering into the multivariable logistic regression models jointly, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for CSBP and PP was 1.75 (1.58-1.94) and 1.06 (0.96-1.17) in women and 1.58 (1.41-1.77) and 1.04 (0.93-1.17) in men, respectively. Conclusion: CSBP and brachial blood pressure measurements are all predictors of CKD, however the non-invasively obtained CSBP may offer advantages over brachial blood pressure measurements in CKD risk prediction in women.

Reference Intervals of Central Aortic Blood Pressure and Augmentation Index Assessed with an Oscillometric Device in Healthy Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults from Argentina.

Age-related reference intervals (RIs) of central (aortic) systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and augmentation index (cAIx) obtained from large healthy population are lacking in Argentina (South America). Aims. To analyze the existence of associations among cSBP and cAIx with demographic, anthropometric, and hemodynamic parameters and to generate percentile curves and RIs adjusted to each level of age and gender and/or body height. cSBP and cAIx were measured in 1038 healthy children, adolescents, and young adults. First, we evaluated if RIs for males and females were necessary using correlation and covariate analysis. Second, mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) age-related equations were obtained for cSBP and cAIx, using parametric regression methods based on fractional polynomials. Third, age specific percentiles curves were generated. Fourth, body height specific percentiles curves were generated using a similar procedure. The obtained equations (considering age as independent variable) for all subjects (cSBP0.26 and (cAIx + 12.001)0.5) were as follows: cSBP Mean = 3.0581 + 0.2189 log(Age) − 0.001044Age; cSBP SD = −0.03919 + 0.1535 log(Age) − 0.004564Age; cAIx mean = 9.5226 − 6.1599 log(Age) + 0.1450Age; cAIx SD = 1.3880 − 0.8468 log(Age) + 0.03212Age. This study, performed in Argentinean healthy children, adolescents, and young adults with ages of 5 to 22 years, provides the first RIs and percentile curves of cSBP and cAIx. Additionally, specific body height-related cAIx percentiles are reported for the analyzed population. The RIs and percentiles contribute to the knowledge of arterial dynamic evolution along the normal aging process and the interpretation of data obtained in clinical research and daily clinical practice.

The Sacubitril/Valsartan, a First-in-Class, Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI): Potential Uses in Hypertension, Heart Failure, and Beyond.

Sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) is a first-in-class, novel-acting, angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) that provides inhibition of neprilysin and the angiotensin (AT1) receptor. A recent clinical trial PRARDIGM-HF demonstrated that this drug is superior to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for improving the prognosis in the patients with heart failure, and this has resulted in the drug being included in clinical practice guidelines for the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF). In addition, sacubitril/valsartan has been developed for the management of hypertension, because it has unique anti-aging properties. However, the clinical evidence of mechanism has not been well validated. A recent mechanistic study PARAMETER demonstrated that sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) is superior to angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) monotherapy for reducing central aortic systolic pressure (primary endpoint) as well as for central aortic pulse pressure (secondary endpoint) and nocturnal BP preferentially. Considering these results, sacubitril/valsartan may be an attractive therapeutic agent to treat the elderly with age-related hypertension phenotypes, such as drug-uncontrolled (resistant) hypertension characterized as systolic (central) hypertension (structural hypertension) and/or nocturnal hypertension (salt-sensitive hypertension). These are the high-risk hypertension phenotypes which are prone to develop heart failure with preserved EF and chronic kidney disease. Sacubitril/valsartan may be effective to suppress the age-related continuum from hypertension to heart failure, and it could be clinically useful not only for secondary prevention, but also as primary prevention of heart failure in uncontrolled elderly hypertensive patients.

Central aortic pressure, arterial stiffness and echocardiographic parameters of children with overweight/obesity and arterial hypertension.

A non-invasive estimation of central aortic pressure and echocardiographic parameters, and appropriate interpretation thereof make it possible to determine the status of the vascular wall and myocardium. These parameters are early markers of unfavorable remodeling of the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to analyze the central aortic pressure and echocardiographic parameters of overweight/obese children (with or without concomitant arterial hypertension). The study included 84 children (mean age: 15 years) - 45 with primary arterial hypertension, 39 normotensive, and 38 controls. Central aortic systolic (cSys) and diastolic (cDia) pressures, pulse wave augmentation index (Aix@75), peripheral resistance, pulse wave reflection and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined by means of brachial oscillometry. A number of echocardiographic parameters were recorded. Obese children with arterial hypertension showed the highest values of cSys, cDia and PWV, as well as interventricular septal end-diastolic thickness (IVS), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), elongation index and cardiac output (CO). Patient age, cSYS, cDIA and LAD were identified as significant predictors of PWV. The groups did not differ in terms of Aix@75, peripheral resistance and pulse wave reflection values. Children with overweight/obesity present with elevated values of cSys, PWV, LVMI, LAD and CO. The risk of these abnormalities is further increased due to concomitant arterial hypertension.

The new angiotensin II receptor blocker Edarbi® as part of the pathogenetic treatment of arterial hypertension in patients with metabolic disorders

Relevance. Recently, the proportion of angiotensin receptor blockers has significantly increased among prescribed antihypertensive drugs. High organoprotective properties, additional metabolic effects and tolerability comparable to placebo make them the drugs of choice, especially in patients with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension having low adherence to antihypertensive therapy, but already burdened by additional metabolic risk factors. Purpose of the study - study of the antihypertensive efficacy of the angiotensin receptor blocker azilsartan medoxomil (Edarbi®), its effect on cardiometabolic risk factors and damage of target organs in patients with stage 2 hypertension. Materials and methods. The study included 32 patients (mean age 47.32±8.4 years), 19 men and 13 women with stage 2 hypertension. All patients were evaluated for clinical blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, glucose level in a carbohydrate tolerance test, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, central aortic systolic pressure, сarotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and intima-media thickness was determined initially and after 6 months of therapy. Results. During taking Edarbi® 82% of patients with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension and metabolic syndrome reached the target level of BP, which was accompanied by a significant improvement in diastolic function of the left ventricle in 56% of patients. Already in the first 6 months the treatment reduced arterial stiffness and improved metabolic control

Aortic stiffness and central systolic pressure are associated with orthostatic hypotension in patients with chronic kidney disease

ObjectiveOrthostatic hypotension (OH) is common cardiovascular problem affecting older adults, and is associated with falls, stroke and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This postural drop (PD) in blood pressure (BP) has been independently associated with increased aortic stiffness in older adults. Aortic stiffness is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, and measureable non-invasively. We investigated the association between OH, aortic stiffness and central aortic systolic pressure (CSP) in CKD patients (ACADEMIC cohort).Design and methodPostural BP changes were measured in one-hundred and forty-six patients (mean age 68.6 SD ± 11.4, 75% male, 21% diabetic) using 24-hour-ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with postural sensing (Diasys Integra II®, Novacor, France). Patients were divided into those with systolic postural drop (SPD, n = 23, mean standing systolic BP < mean lying systolic BP) versus those without (n = 123).Complior® (Artech Medical, France) measured aortic stiffness as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and peripheral arterial stiffness as carotid-radial PWV (cr-PWV). Sphygmocor® (Atcor, Australia) measured CSP and augmentation index (AI) from the radial artery.ResultsCf-PWV and CSP were significantly higher in CKD patients with SPD versus those without (15.2m/s vs 12.7m/s, p < 0.001, 148 mmHg vs 136 mmHg, p = 0.012).Multivariate logistic regression showed SBP remained significantly associated with aortic stiffness (p = 0.002, OR = 1.45 95%CI = 1.15–1.77) and CSP (p = 0.026, OR = 1.031, 95%CI = 1.00–1.06), independent of age, eGFR, diabetes, smoking pack-years, cholesterol, height and weight. RAI (32.1% vs28.9%, p = 0.093) and cr-PWV (11.0m/s vs 11.2m/s, p = 0.62) were not significantly different between groups.ConclusionIncreased aortic stiffness and CSP are independently associated with OH. Stiff central arteries, rather than peripheral, contribute more to OH.

Evaluating Central Aortic Blood Pressures in a Tertiary South Indian Hospital

Abstract Background Of late, central aortic blood pressure (CABP) has emerged as a better parameter than peripheral blood pressure (BP) in the diagnosis of cardiovascular events. Advent of new technologies has facilitated the calculation of CABP from machine-derived peripheral BP. In this study, the author determined the differences between peripheral BP measured manually or by machine and machine-derived CABP and examined whether this difference is stable even after categorizing the sample pool based on sex, hypertension, diabetes status, and β-blocker use. Materials and Methods A total of 83 patients (both male and female) who attended the cardiology outpatient department were enrolled in the study. BP was recorded both manually and using Mobil-O-Graph pulse wave analyzer (ARC Solver) in the patient's sitting posture. The author compared the derived central, manual, and device-measured BP among the patient samples and assessed whether sex, hypertension, diabetes, and β-blocker use influence these differences. Results Among the study population, 28 were females and 55 were males; patients’ mean age was 59.97 ± 12.15 years. The mean peripheral systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) measured manually were127.55 ± 20.15 and 79.73 ± 9.57 mm Hg, respectively. Similar measurements recorded by the device were 129.68 ± 19.93 and 78.92 ± 13.48, respectively. The derived mean central aortic SBP and DBP was 117.69 ± 17.78 and 80.15 ± 13.71, respectively. Statistically significant difference in the manual and central aortic SBP (9.85 ± 11.16; p &lt; 0.0001) was observed. This difference was significant irrespective of sex, hypertension, diabetes status, and β-blocker use. Similarly, difference between machine-derived peripheral SBP and central aortic SBP was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.0001). However, the difference in manual and central aortic DBP was nonsignificant (p = 0.6976). Interestingly, a small (−1.34 ± 2.28) but statistically significant difference (p &lt; 0.0001) between machine-derived peripheral DBP and central aortic DBP was observed. Further analysis to find out effect of β-blocker use on CABP revealed that the central aortic SBP is slightly, but statistically significantly, lower in β-blocker users (117.7 ± 17.71; p &lt; 0.0001) than that of β-blocker nonusers (118.9 ± 18.37; p&lt; 0.0001). Conclusion Central aortic systolic pressure is statistically significantly lower than the manually recorded peripheral SBP irrespective of sex, hypertension, diabetes status, and β-blocker use. A small but significant difference was observed between machine-derived peripheral DBP and central aortic DBP. Patients using β-blockers were observed to have marginally lower CABP values than those who are not using them.

Arterial stiffness, plasma atherogenic index and soluble cell adhesion molecules in healthy young adults with reduced physical activity

Objective: To examine some anthropometric parameters, arterial stiffness, lipid profile, and soluble adhesion molecules in young adults with reduced physical activity.Material and methods: The study is carried on 54 healthy young adults aged 20.97 ± 2.04 years. Two groups: 23 with reduced physical activity (INAC) and 31 with optimal physical activity (AC). Body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), central aortic systolic blood pressure (CSBP, mmHg), plasma atherogenic index (AIP), and serum soluble cell adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1) are followed up.Results: CSBP [115.56 ± 10.22 vs. 105.13 ± 9.88*], AIP [−0.04 ± 0.18 vs. −0.08 ± 0.08**] and sICAM-1 [362.5 ± 49.95 vs. 281.75 ± 80.39**] are significantly higher, and BMR [1431 ± 297.9 vs. 1674.6 ± 365.57*] is significantly lower in the physically inactive young healthy adults.Conclusions: CSBP, AIP, and sICAM-1 are higher in young adults with reduced physical activity. This plays substantial role in the acceleration of atherogenic process and in long-term perspective could promote cardiovascular diseases.

Obstructive sleep apnoea severity in children is associated with increased central aortic systolic blood pressure

Obstructive sleep apnoea severity in children is associated with increased central aortic systolic blood pressure

High prevalence of "non-dipping" blood pressure and vascular stiffness in HIV-infected South Africans on antiretrovirals.

BackgroundHIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of tissue inflammation and accelerated vascular aging (‘inflamm-aging’). Abnormal diurnal blood pressure (BP) rhythms such as non-dipping may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in HIV infected individuals. However, little data exists on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and measures of vascular stiffness in the black African HIV infected population.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of otherwise well, HIV infected outpatients on ART for >5 years. Study assessments included: 24hr ABP monitoring, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central aortic systolic pressure (CASP) using a AtCor Medical Sphygmocor device, fasting lipogram, oral glucose tolerance test, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and anthropometric data. Patients completed a questionnaire of autonomic symptoms. CD4+ counts and viral loads were obtained from the National Laboratory results system.ResultsSixty seven black participants were included in the analysis of whom 91% (n = 61) were female with a mean age of 42.2 ± 8.6 years. The median duration on ART was 7.5 years (IQR = 6–10), 84% were virally supressed and the median CD4 count was 529.5cells/mm3 (IQR = 372.0–686.5). The majority (67%) were classified as overweight and 76% had an increased waist circumference, yet only 88% of participants were normotensive. A hsCRP level in the high cardiovascular risk category was found in 68% of participants. The prevalence of non-dipping BP was 65%. Interestingly, there was no association on multivariable analysis between dipping status and traditional risk factors for non-dipping BP, such as: obesity, autonomic dysfunction and older age.ConclusionThis relatively young cross-sectional sample of predominantly normotensive, but overweight black women on effective ART >5 years showed: a high prevalence of non-dipping BP, inflammation and vascular stiffness. Causality cannot be inferred but cardiovascular risk reduction should be emphasized in these patients.