Diastolic Blood Pressure Dipping Research Articles

Effects of chronotype on sleep, mood and cardiovascular circadian rhythms in rotating night shift medical workers.

Whether chronotype affects the health outcomes of night shift work populations is unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of different chronotypes in the rotating night shift population on sleep status, mood, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate variability (HRV), as well as the circadian rhythm of BP and HRV. A total of 208 rotating night shift workers were included. All participants completed structured questionnaires to assess chronotype, mood and sleep status. During their daily lives outside of the night shift, they underwent 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram monitoring and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Day-time and night-time BP and BP dipping were obtained. Day-time and night-time HRV values (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, LF nu, SD1, SD2 and SD2/SD1) were calculated and fitted to the cosine period curve. Three circandian parameters (mesor, amplitude and acrophase) were extracted to quantify the circadian rhythm of the HRV indices. Among all three groups, E-type showed more fatigue and sleepiness. In addition, E-type showed blunted diastolic BP dipping. Notably, E-type showed association with higher RMSSD, LF, HF and SD1 in the night time, and higher mesors of RMSSD and LF and amplitude of SD2/SD1 in circadian analysis. Chronotype is a factor affecting fatigue, sleepiness and cardiovascular circadian rhythms of rotating night shift workers. Chronotype should be taken into consideration for managing night-shift rotation to promote occupational health.

Chronological distribution of readings in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring exams affects the nighttime average and the magnitude of blood pressure dipping.

Averaged nighttime blood pressure (BP) is superior to daytime BP for cardiovascular risk stratification, and the relative change between daytime/nighttime BP (dipping%) significantly predicts cardiovascular risk. Newer reports suggest that 4 measurements at night may be enough for cardiovascular risk stratification. Since BP oscillates across the night, the temporal distribution of measurements across the night may impact nighttime BP and dipping%. Therefore, we compared average nighttime BP and dipping% when using measurements in the first half (1st-half), second (2nd-half), and a combination of both (combined). Forty-three (17 females and twenty-six males) midlife adults aged 50±10 years old wore an ambulatory BP monitor for 24 hours at home, programmed to measure BP every 20 minutes when scheduled for daytime and every 30 minutes during a self-selected 8-hour nighttime for time-in-bed. We compared the nighttime BP averages and dipping% when using either the first four measurements from the 1st-half or 2nd-half of the nighttime and combined. Nighttime Systolic BP was significantly different across 1st-half, 2nd-half, and combined (111±9 vs.107±11 vs. 109±9 mmHg, p<0.01), respectively, with significant pairwise differences across all categories (p<0.01 for each). Systolic BP dipping% was significantly different across 1st-half, 2nd-half, and combined (9.9±5.5 vs.13.5±6.4 vs. 11.7±5.0 %, p<0.01), respectively, with significant pairwise differences across all categories (p<0.01 for each. Diastolic BP and diastolic dipping% were similar across the three different bins. In midlife adults, systolic nighttime BP and dipping% may depend upon when BP measurements are taken during the night.

Effect of Short versus Long Duration Naps on Blood Pressure during Simulated Night Shift Work: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Objective Blunting of the sleep-related dip in blood pressure (BP) has been linked to numerous cardiovascular outcomes including myocardial infarction. Blunting of BP dipping occurs during night shift work and previous research suggest that a 60-min or longer on-shift nap is needed to restore normal/healthy BP dipping. We sought to determine the effect of different durations of napping on BP during and following simulated night shifts. We hypothesized that the greatest benefit in terms of restoration of normal BP dipping during night shift work would be observed during a longer duration nap versus a shorter nap opportunity. Methods We used a randomized crossover laboratory-based study design. Participants consented to complete three separate 72-hr conditions that included a 12-hr simulated night shift. Nap conditions included a 30-min and 2-hr nap compared to a no-nap condition. Ambulatory BP monitoring was assessed hourly and every 10-30 mins during in-lab naps. Blunted BP dipping during in-lab naps was the primary outcome. Goal enrollment of 25 (35 with attrition) provided 80% power to detect a mean difference of 5 mmHg in BP between nap conditions. Results Of the 58 screened, 28 were consented, and 26 completed all three 72-hr conditions. More than half (53.6%) were female. Mean age was 24.4 years (SD7.2). Most (85.7%) were certified as emergency medical technicians or paramedics. The mean percentage dip in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) did not differ between the 30-min and 2-hr nap conditions (p > 0.05), yet a greater proportion of participants experienced a 10-20% dip in SBP or DBP during the 2-hr nap versus the 30-min nap (p < 0.05). For every additional minute of total sleep during the 30-min nap, the percentage of SBP dip improved by 0.60%, and the percentage of DBP dip improved by 0.68% (p < 0.05). These improvements approximate to a 6% per minute relative advancement toward normal/healthy BP dipping. Conclusions Restoration of a normal/healthy dip in BP is achievable during short and long duration nap opportunities during simulated night shift work. Our findings support the hypothesis that BP dipping is more common during longer 2-hr versus shorter 30-min naps. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04469803. Registered on 9 July 2020.

Influence of Hydration Status and Plasma Copeptin on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Healthy Young Adults

BACKGROUND: Adequate hydration is essential for regulating various physiological systems and may influence blood pressure (BP). Hypohydration is linked with elevated copeptin (surrogate of arginine vasopressin), which is associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk. However, there is limited information on the influence of hydration and copeptin on ambulatory BP measures in young adults. Therefore, we sought to investigate associations between hydration, copeptin, and ambulatory BP. METHODS: We studied 41 participants (19 M/22 F, 24 White/17 Black, age 21±1 years, body mass index 26±5 kg/m 2 , screening BP 111± 10/67±8 mmHg; Mean ± SD) who provided a 24-hour urine sample. We measured urine specific gravity (USG), urine osmolality (OSM), and plasma copeptin as biomarkers of hydration. We used ambulatory BP monitoring (Suntech Oscar2) to assess BP during daytime (1000-2000) and nighttime (0000-0600). Our primary outcomes were plasma copeptin (pmol/L) and night-to-day BP dip ratio (nighttime/daytime BP) in dehydrated (USG &gt;1.020 or OSM &gt;800 mOsm/kg) vs euhydrated participants. Statistical procedures included Student’s t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. We also used Spearman’s rho correlation (controlling for BMI, sex, and race). We set α at ≤0.05. RESULTS: Copeptin concentration was elevated in dehydrated compared with euhydrated participants (USG: 6.6±2.9 vs 4.3±2.0 pmol/L, p&lt;0.005; OSM: 6.6±2.7 vs 4.1±2.0 pmol/L, p&lt;0.001). After controlling for BMI, sex, and race, copeptin was associated with USG (rho=0.44, p=0.005) and OSM (rho=0.51, p=0.001). Systolic and diastolic BP dip ratios did not differ by hydration status for either USG or OSM ( ps&gt;0.179). Additionally, adjusted BP dip ratios were not correlated with OSM or USG ( ps&gt;0.149). Plasma copeptin was not associated with BP dip ratios ( ps&gt;0.155) but was associated with absolute nocturnal systolic (rho=-0.34, p=0.036) and diastolic BP dip (rho=-0.33, p=0.041). When we split participants by low and high copeptin concentration (median split), higher copeptin was associated with a lower (i.e., worse) systolic BP dip ratio (0.87±0.06 vs 0.90±0.06, p=0.048) and lower absolute nocturnal systolic and diastolic BP dip ( ps&lt;0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hydration biomarkers were correlated with plasma copeptin, but not ambulatory BP. The significance of our findings are that higher copeptin was associated with blunted nocturnal BP dipping in younger adults, which could predispose them to increased future cardiovascular disease risk. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The disidentification component of decentering is a predictor of nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure dipping

Decentering is a component of mindfulness related to being able to separate from emotions and to adopt a non-judgmental view. Prior studies on 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) courses have demonstrated that as the ability to decenter increases, anxiety levels decrease. One of our recent studies demonstrated that a higher ability to decenter was associated with lower arterial stiffness. The purpose of this study was to determine if any of the three constructs of decentering (i.e., meta-awareness, disidentification, and nonreactivity) influences nocturnal blood pressure dipping. Twenty-eight adults (age 25±1 years; BMI 26±1 kg/m2) with resting blood pressure ≥120/80 mmHg volunteered for this study. All participants were non-obese, and reported no history of diabetes, smoking, or taking cardiovascular medication. Participants completed an 11-item decentering questionnaire, and then were asked to wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) and actigraphy watch for 24-hours. Brachial blood pressures were measured by the ABPM every 20 minutes while awake and every 30 minutes while asleep. Daytime and nighttime systolic arterial pressures (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressures (DAP) were measured by the Spacelabs ABPM, and we calculated nighttime dipping percentages for SAP and DAP after adjusting sleep and wake times based on actigraphy data. To identify the factor structure for the decentering scale, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed. EFA revealed a nine-item, three-factor structure that explained 71.53% of the total variance, consisting of meta-awareness (two-items; 13.37%), disidentification (three-items; 41.11%), and nonreactivity (four-items; 17.05%). Two items were dropped from the final scale due to improper factor loadings. The items for each of the three factors were submitted to a reliability analysis, revealing acceptable Cronbach’s alpha (α &gt; 0.70) for meta-awareness (α = 0.71), disidentification (α = 0.79), and nonreactivity (α = 0.75). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated disidentification as a significant predictor of SAP dipping (β = 3.333, p = 0.032) and DAP dipping (β = 3.898, p = 0.049). The meta-awareness and nonreactivity constructs of decentering were not significant predictors of nighttime blood pressure dipping. Results suggest that greater disidentification may be associated with lower cardiovascular risk (greater SAP and DAP dipping). These findings provide promising insight into the benefits of MBSR and decentering on ambulatory blood pressure patterns, with the potential benefits of lowering overall risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). NIH (1R15HL140596-01); Nils K. Nelson Endowment Fund This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

0821 Nighttime Average and Dipping Blood Pressure Can Differ Based on the Temporal Distribution of Ambulatory Measurements at Nighttime

Abstract Introduction Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring is recommended in preference to office BP as it enables BP assessments across the night and quantification of the degree of nocturnal BP dipping (dipping” = nighttime/daytime BP of &amp;lt; 0.9; non-dipping = ≥0.9). Both nighttime BP and dipping% are independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular events. Standard guidelines recommend at least ≥20/7 daytime/nighttime measurements for reliable ambulatory BP monitoring, but newer reports suggest ≥8/4 daytime/nighttime measurements are sufficient. Considering BP oscillates across the night, the temporal distribution of measurements across the night may impact nighttime BP and dipping%. To test whether this new recommendation holds for extreme examples of temporal distribution, we compared average nighttime BP and dipping% when using BP measurements only in the first (1st-half) vs. only in the second half (2nd-half) of the night. Methods Seventeen females and twenty-six males (50±10 years [mean±SD]) without cardiovascular disease or severe sleep disorders wore an ambulatory BP monitor for 24 hours, programmed to measure BP every 20 minutes when awake and every 30 minutes during a self-selected 8-hour time-in-bed for nighttime. We compared the nighttime BP averages and the calculated dipping% when using the first four measurements from the 1st-half of the nighttime, from the 2nd-half of the nighttime, and all measurements during the nighttime (All nighttime, AN). Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted with significance set as p&amp;lt; 0.05. Results Systolic BP was higher using 1st-half than 2nd-half but similar to AN (111±9 vs.107±11 vs. 109±9 mmHg, p&amp;lt; 0.01), while systolic BP dipping% using 1st-half was lower than 2nd-half and AN (9.7±7.4 vs.13.0±7.6 vs. 11.4±6.7 %, p&amp;lt; 0.01, respectively). Diastolic BP and diastolic dipping% were similar among the 1st-half, 2nd-half, and AN segment (63±6 vs. 63±7 vs. 62±7 mmHg, p=0.19) and (17.2±7.6 vs. 17.2±8.8 vs. 18.4±8.8 %, p=0.16), respectively. Conclusion In adults without cardiovascular disease or severe sleep disorders, nighttime BP and dipping% may depend upon when BP measurements are taken. The minimum threshold of 4 measurements for a reliable nighttime BP readout should be used cautiously. Support (if any) NIH F32-HL131308, R01HL163232, R01HL125893, R35HL155681, Medical Research Foundation, and OHSU OFDIR fellowship.

Implications of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in the Attenuation of Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping.

To date, no model has jointly encompassed clinical, inflammatory, and redox markers with the risk of a non-dipper blood pressure (BP) profile. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between these features and the main twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-h ABPM) indices, as well as to establish a multivariate model including inflammatory, redox, and clinical markers for the prediction of a non-dipper BP profile. This was an observational study that included hypertensive patients older than 18 years. We enrolled 247 hypertensive patients (56% women) with a median age of 56 years. The results showed that higher levels of fibrinogen, tissue polypeptide-specific antigen, beta-2-microglobulin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and copper/zinc ratio were associated with a higher risk of a non-dipper BP profile. Nocturnal systolic BP dipping showed a negative correlation with beta-globulin, beta-2-microglobulin, and gamma-globulin levels, whereas nocturnal diastolic BP dipping was positively correlated with alpha-2-globulin levels, and negatively correlated with gamma-globulin and copper levels. We found a correlation between nocturnal pulse pressure and beta-2-microglobulin and vitamin E levels, whereas the day-to-night pulse pressure gradient was correlated with zinc levels. Twenty-four-hour ABPM indices could exhibit singular inflammatory and redox patterns with implications that are still poorly understood. Some inflammatory and redox markers could be associated with the risk of a non-dipper BP profile.

S-58-2: CUFFLESS WEARABLE 24-HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE MONIT ORING VERSUS STANDARD AMBULATORY MONITORING

Objective: Cuffless wearable blood pressure (BP) monitors have great potential in assessing 24-hour BP without user disturbance for weeks and months. However, it is uncertain whether these devices can accurately track BP changes during usual daily activities and sleep as with standard 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). We assessed daytime and nighttime BP using a commercially available cuffless wearable BP device versus classic ABPM. Design and method: We included 45 individuals (age 58 ± 14 years [mean ± SD], 33% female, 80% hypertensive) in two centres (Perth, Australia; Athens, Greece). Participants used a cuffless wearable BP monitor (Aktiia, Switzerland) continuously for 7–10 days and 24-hour ABPM (MicroLife WatchBP O3, Switzerland) on the first and the last day of cuffless BP monitoring. Daily 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP values were averaged across the total study days for the cuffless device and across the two ABPM days. Results: The cuffless device reported higher systolic BP for 24-hours by 6.8 mmHg, 95%CI [3.7, 9.7], daytime by 3.8 mmHg [1.0, 6.7], and nighttime by 17.5 mmHg [13.6, 21.4] (all p &lt; 0.01). Cuffless 24-hour diastolic BP was comparable with ABPM (difference 1.2 mmHg, 95%CI [-1.0, 3.5]), as was daytime diastolic BP (-0.8 mmHg [-3.0, 1.3]) (both p. &lt; 27). However, the cuffless device reported higher nighttime diastolic BP by 9.2 mmHg, 95%CI [6.3, 12.2] (p &lt; 0.001). Nighttime dip as measured by the cuffless device, namely systolic BP (-5.1 mmHg, 95%CI [-13.7, 3.6]) and diastolic BP (-3.8 mmHg [-11.6, 4.2]) were substantially less than ABPM (systolic BP dip: -18.0 mmHg [-35.5, -1.2]; diastolic BP dip: -13.8 mmHg [-27.2, -0.8]). The cuffless device identified 44 nighttime non-dippers (defined as a relative dip &lt; 10%) for systolic BP and 42 non-dippers for diastolic BP, compared to 10 non-dippers for both systolic and diastolic BP as identified by ABPM (both comparisons p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The Aktiia cuffless wearable BP device considerably overestimated average systolic BP compared to classic ABPM and was unable to adequately track diurnal BP variation.

UROMODULIN - A LINK BETWEEN SODIUM EXCRETION AND ALTERATION IN CIRCADIAN BLOOD PRESSURE PATTERN IN PREHYPERTENSIVES.

Although changes in dietary sodium intake alter blood pressure (BP) in salt-sensitive individuals, pathophysiological mechanisms are still unknown. It has been reported that uromodulin is involved in sodium tubular transport, and genome-wide association studies pointed to UMOD gene as one of the most important gene candidates for arterial hypertension. Our aim was to analyze urinary uromodulin, salt intake and BP in 326 young middle-aged subjects (mean age 36±8 years, 49.4% male). In a subgroup of 175 individuals, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiogram were performed. Uromodulin was determined by ELISA. According to the JNC-7 criteria, subjects were classified as optimal BP (n=103, men 72%), prehypertension (PHT) (n=143, men 43%) and hypertension (HT) (n= 80, men 38%). There were no differences in age, salt intake, estimated glomerular filtration rate, sodium excretion and uromodulin among BP groups. However, in PHT subjects, uromodulin was positively associated with fractional sodium excretion and negatively with 24-h sodium excretion and diastolic BP dip. These findings point to the effect of uromodulin on sodium reabsorption along the nephron and consequently circadian BP alteration in prehypertensives.

Correlation between Blunted Nocturnal Decrease in Diastolic Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress: An Observational Study.

An impaired nocturnal decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increases the blood pressure (BP) load, which is a main factor in endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and arterial stiffness. We aimed to quantify some markers of oxidative stress in hypertensive patients, to compare their levels between individuals with dipper and non-dipper DBP profiles, and to assess their correlation with the nocturnal DBP (nDBP) dipping. It was an observational study that included patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of essential hypertension who consented to participate. The collected variables were some indices of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory variables. Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced thiols, together with serum vitamin E, vitamin A, copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels were assessed as oxidative stress markers. We recruited 248 patients with a median age of 56 years (56% women). The percentage of nDBP dipping showed a weak positive correlation with reduced thiol, vitamin E, and vitamin A levels; and a weak negative correlation with Cu levels. We also found a negative correlation between nDBP dipping and the TBARS/Thiol, TBARS/Vitamin E, and TBARS/Vitamin A ratios. After multivariate analysis, we found that increased TBARS/Thiol ratio and serum Cu levels were associated with a higher risk of a non-dipper DBP profile. As in other situations of increased cardiovascular risk, an impaired nDBP decrease may coincide with abnormalities in redox status.

Subjective social status and nocturnal blood pressure dipping

ObjectiveLow social status has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Subjective social status (SSS), which represents one's perceived position in a social hierarchy, has been suggested to predict health outcomes beyond objective measures of socioeconomic status. The present study examined if lower SSS is related to reduced nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a community sample of 53 healthy adults underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. All participants provided information on SSS and objective measures of socioeconomic status (i.e., education, occupation, and income). SSS was measured in comparison to others in the country (national SSS) as well as in comparison to one's social environment (local SSS) using the German versions of the MacArthur Scales. ResultsAnalyses found that participants with low local SSS exhibited attenuated nocturnal diastolic blood pressure dipping (β = 0.29, 95% CI [0.01, 0.57], p = .043) and mean arterial pressure dipping (β = 0.29, 95% CI [0.01, 0.57], p = .041). These associations remained significant after adjusting for objective socioeconomic status. No significant associations between national SSS and cardiovascular measures were observed. ConclusionIn conclusion, one's perceived social position in the social environment (i.e., local SSS) is associated with nocturnal BP dipping. Therefore, local SSS may be an important psychosocial factor linking social inequality and cardiovascular health.

Reduced Blood Pressure Dipping Is A Risk Factor for the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Children.

Background: Elevated blood pressure and proteinuria are well-established risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in children. This study aimed to analyze risk factors for CKD progress, emphasizing detailed ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) data. Methods: In 55 children with CKD II–V, observed for ≥1 year or until initiation of kidney replacement therapy, we analyzed ABPM, clinical, and biochemical parameters. Results: At the beginning, the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 66 (interquartile range—IQR: 42.8–75.3) mL/min/1.73 m2, and the observation period was 27 (16–36) months. The mean eGFR decline was 2.9 ± 5.7 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. eGFR decline correlated (p < 0.05) with age (r = 0.30), initial proteinuria (r = 0.31), nighttime systolic and mean blood pressure (r = 0.27, r = 0.29), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure dipping (r = −0.37, r = −0.29). There was no relation between mean arterial pressure during 24 h (MAP 24 h Z-score) and eGFR decline and no difference in eGFR decline between those with MAP 24 h < and ≥50 th percentile. In multivariate analysis, systolic blood pressure dipping (beta = −0.43), presence of proteinuria (beta = −0.35), and age (beta = 0.25) were predictors of eGFR decline. Conclusions: Systolic blood pressure dipping may be a valuable indicator of CKD progression in children.

Abstract 088: Comparison Of 24-hour Blood Pressure Tracking Between A Commercially Available Cuffless Wearable Device And Standard Ambulatory Monitoring

Introduction: Cuffless blood pressure (BP) monitoring offers great potential in assessing 24-hour BP without user disturbance. Despite the myriad of commercially available cuffless BP devices, it is uncertain whether these devices can accurately track BP changes during usual daily activities and sleep as with standard 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Hypothesis: A commercially available cuffless wearable BP device, previously demonstrated to have good accuracy for seated BP, can track 24-hour BP changes as well as standard ABPM. Methods: We included 45 individuals (36 hypertensive, 15 female, age 58±14 years [mean±SD]) in two centres (Perth, Australia; Athens, Greece). Participants used a cuffless wearable BP device (Aktiia, Switzerland) continuously for 7-10 days and 24-hour ABPM (MicroLife WatchBP O3, Switzerland) on the first and the last day of cuffless BP monitoring. Daily 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP values were averaged across the total study days for the cuffless device and across the two ABPM days. Results: Compared to ABPM, the cuffless device reported higher 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) by 6.8 mmHg, 95% CI [3.7, 9.7], higher daytime SBP by 3.8 mmHg [1.0, 6.7], and higher nighttime SBP by 17.5 mmHg [13.6, 21.4] (all p≤0.01). Cuffless 24-hour diastolic BP (DBP) was comparable with ABPM (difference 1.2 mmHg, 95% CI [-1.0, 3.5]), as was daytime DBP (difference -0.8 mmHg, [-3.0, 1.3]) (both p≥0.27), but nighttime DBP was higher by 9.2 mmHg, [6.3, 12.2] (p&lt;0.001). Nighttime dip in SBP (-5.1 mmHg, 95% CI [-13.7, 3.6]) and DBP (-3.8 mmHg, [-11.6, 4.2]) as measured by the cuffless device were substantially less than ABPM (SBP dip: -18.0 mmHg, [-35.5, -1.2]; DBP dip: -13.8 mmHg, [-27.2, -0.8]). The cuffless device identified 44 nighttime non-dippers (defined as a relative dip &lt; 10%) for SBP and 42 non-dippers for DBP, compared to 10 non-dippers for both SBP and DBP as identified by ABPM (both comparisons p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: A commercially available cuffless wearable BP device was unable to adequately track diurnal BP variation and considerably overestimated average SBP over 24 hours as compared to standard ABPM.

The Correlation Between ABPM Parameters and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Pediatric Essential Hypertension.

ObjectiveTo explore the association of dipping pattern and blood pressure load with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in pediatric essential hypertension.Materials and MethodsThrough an echocardiography monitor and an ambulatory blood pressure monitor of 425 children and adolescents diagnosed with essential hypertension with no treatment received, we identified 140 cases of LVH. Grouping patients according to LVH (LVH, N = 140; n-LVH, N = 285), we further evaluated their ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) parameters by comparing dipping patterns between groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of blood pressure load on LVH.ResultsNo significant difference was found in systolic or diastolic blood pressure dipping patterns between groups (P = 0.161, P = 0.139). However, compared to the n-LVH group, the LVH group presented significant elevated nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P < 0.05), while nighttime DBP remained stable (P = 0.391), resulting in higher daytime and nighttime SBP loads, higher nighttime DBP load, and higher 24-h SBP load (P < 0.05). Notably, our multivariable logistic regression has shown that this trend of 24-h SBP load acts independently as a critical risk factor for LVH.ConclusionCollectively, we observed a correlation between BP load and LVH in pediatric hypertension. Our data demonstrated that SBP load has a more significant weight in LVH progression, and 24-h SBP load, in particular, acts as a critical early prognostic parameter for LVH in pediatric hypertension.

MEAN PLATELET VOLUME IS A PREDICTOR OF BLOOD PRESSURE NORMALIZATION IN PEDIATRIC HYPERTENSION

Arterial hypertension in adolescents is a risk factor for elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular sequelae in adult life. The study aimed to analyze factors influencing blood pressure tracking in pediatric patients with primary hypertension (PH).We analyzed retrospectively 77 children with primary hypertension (53 boys, 24 girls, 13.9 ± 2.7 years) and observation period at least 12 months, in whom we assessed clinical data, anthropometric parameters, office blood pressure, ABPM, and biochemical data, including markers of subclinical inflammation: mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR).At the onset of the observation, all patients had arterial hypertension - newly diagnosed (n = 51) or already treated with antihypertensive drugs (n = 26). The observation period was from 1 to 5.25, mean: 2.1 ± 1.0 years. Blood pressure (BP) normalized in 13 (16.9%) patients; seven were previously treated with antihypertensive medications. Patients in whom BP normalized compared to those with sustained hypertension were not-significantly younger (12.9 ± 3.1 vs. 14.1 ± 2.6 [years], p = 0.171), had higher birth weight (3866 ± 425 vs. 3163 ± 614 [g], p = 0.024) and lower initial MPV (9.2 ± 1.4 vs. 10.1 ± 1.3 [fL], p = 0.041) and lower BMI Z-score (0.5 ± 1.0 vs. 1.2 ± 1.2, p = 0.047) and total cholesterol (143.4 ± 26.0 vs. 167.6 ± 33.6 [mg/dL], p = 0.047) after the observation period. Z-score of systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the end of observation correlated with initial values of: BMI Z-score (R = 0.248, p = 0.032), MPV (R = 0.237, p = 0.046), PLR (R = 0.240, p = 0.044), and with nighttime diastolic BP dipping in ABPM (R = -0.309, p = 0.009). SBP Z-score at the end of the observation period also correlated with Z-scores of body weight and BMI (R = 0.327, p = 0.004; R = 0.384, p<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (R = 0.297, p = 0.031) at the end of observation and with the increase in body weight during the observation period (R = 0.384, p < 0.001). At the end of the observation period, the Z-score of diastolic blood pressure correlated with MPV (R = 0.371, p = 0.003).1. The chance of normalization of blood pressure in pediatric patients with primary hypertension is influenced by birth weight, body mass loss, and degree of subclinical inflammation.2. Mean platelet volume might serve as a predictor of blood pressure change in pediatric patients with primary hypertension.

Nighttime Blood Pressure Dipping is Attenuated in Young and Apparently Healthy Black Adults Compared to White Adults

In America, Black adults are 30% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to White adults, and more than half of this racial disparity in CVD‐related mortality may be attributed to the substantially greater prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in Black adults. Furthermore, compared to White adults with hypertension, Black adults with hypertension are less likely to exhibit a nocturnal reduction in BP (i.e., “dipping”). Importantly, non‐dipping BP is associated with target organ damage and increased CVD risk. However, it is unclear whether young and apparently healthy Black adults exhibit reduced BP dipping compared to their White peers.PURPOSETherefore, the purpose of this preliminary investigation was to determine whether there are racial differences in BP dipping using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), including 24‐hour‐, daytime‐, and nighttime‐BP, in young and apparently healthy Black and White adults.METHODSWe obtained clinical BP and 24‐hour ABPM readings in 10 self‐identified White adults (5M/5F; age: 21.6±4.4 yrs; BMI: 23.8±2.9 kg/m2; Mean±SD) and 7 self‐identified Black adults (3M/4F; age: 21.7±3.5 yrs; BMI: 25.1±2.8 kg/m2). The ABPM monitors were programmed to record BP every 20 and 30 minutes during each participants daytime‐ and nighttime‐period, respectively. True daytime‐ and nighttime‐BP periods were adjusted during analysis based upon participant activity logs. We defined “non‐dipping” as a failure to achieve a dipping ratio of &lt;0.90 (night‐to‐day BP ratio). BP data were compared using independent t‐tests and the Fisher’s exact test was used to compare dipping frequency between races (α=0.05).RESULTSClinically measured BP (systolic/diastolic) was not different (P&gt;0.05) between White (117±9/67±6 mmHg) and Black (124±12/70±9 mmHg) adults. There was also no difference (P&gt;0.05) in 24‐hour‐BP between White (117±11/66±7 mmHg) and Black (114±14/63±7 mmHg) adults. Likewise, daytime‐BP was not different (P&gt;0.05) between White (122±12/71±8 mmHg) and Black (116±14/66±8 mmHg) participants, nor was there a difference in nighttime‐BP (P&gt;0.05) between White (102±9/51±4 mmHg) and Black (105±13/54±7 mmHg) adults. However, systolic BP dipping was attenuated (P=0.04) in Black (0.90±0.05) compared to White (0.84±0.07) adults. Non‐dipping of systolic BP was observed in 5 of 7 Black participants and 2 of 10 White participants (P=0.06). Diastolic BP dipping in Black adults was 0.79±0.06 and White adults was 0.73±0.09 (P=0.05). Non‐dipping of diastolic BP was observed in 1 of 7 Black participants and 1 of 10 White participants (P=1.00).CONCLUSIONSThese preliminary data suggest that despite similar clinical and 24‐hour ambulatory BP compared to White adults, young and apparently healthy Black adults exhibit impaired BP dipping, which may contribute to increased likelihood of CVD.

Aerobic exercise training improves nocturnal blood pressure dipping in medicated hypertensive individuals.

The absence of nocturnal blood pressure (BP) reduction at night in hypertensive individuals is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of an aerobic training intervention on nocturnal BP dipping in medicated hypertensive individuals. At baseline, hypertensive individuals under pharmacological treatment underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and a morning urine sample to analyze albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). Then, participants were divided into nocturnal dippers ( N = 15; 59 ± 6 years) and nondippers ( N = 20; 58 ± 5 years) according to a day-to-night BP reduction of >10% or <10%, respectively. Next, participants underwent a 3-weekly, 4-month aerobic interval training intervention. Follow-up measurements revealed a reduction in daytime diastolic BP in dippers and nondippers ( Ptime < 0.001), whereas nighttime systolic BP was reduced only in nondippers ( P = 0.004). Regarding dipping pattern, nocturnal systolic BP dipping increased after training in nondippers (5 ± 3 to 9 ± 7%; P = 0.018), whereas in dippers, there was a decrease in nocturnal dipping after training (14 ± 4 to 10 ± 7%, P = 0.016). Nocturnal diastolic BP dipping did not change in nondippers (8 ± 5 to 10 ± 7%; P = 0.273) but decreased in dippers (17 ± 6 to 12 ± 8%; P = 0.004). In addition, UACR was significantly reduced in both groups after training ( Ptime = 0.020). Aerobic exercise training is associated with nocturnal BP dipping as nighttime BP was lower than before the program in medicated hypertensive individuals with an initial nondipping phenotype. The lack of improvement in individuals with a dipping phenotype warrants further investigation to discern whether dipping phenotypes influence BP responses to exercise training.

Non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure correlates with obstructive sleep apnoea severity in normotensive subjects and may reverse with therapy.

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is strongly associated with systemic hypertension, but there are limited data on the relationship with blood pressure (BP) in normotensive subjects. Here, we examined the relationship of OSA with nocturnal BP in a documented diurnal normotensive cohort, explored potential intermediate pathways and assessed the effects on BP of continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy.Methods65 males referred for assessment of possible OSA and normotensive on 24-hour BP monitoring underwent overnight inpatient polysomnography (age 41±7 years, body mass index (BMI) 34±6 kg·m−2, apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) 14 (interquartile range 5–26)). Urine and serum were assessed for markers of sympathetic activation, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system activity, oxidative stress, endothelial function and systemic inflammation. In a subset of patients, 24-hour BP monitoring was repeated after CPAP therapy.ResultsWithin this normotensive cohort, night-time systolic and diastolic BP and nocturnal BP dip were highest in the fourth OSA severity quartile (p<0.05). Nocturnal BP dip correlated with AHI (r=−0.327, p<0.05) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (r=−0.371, p<0.05), but only ODI was an independent predictor of BP dip (B=–0.351, p<0.01) and non-dipping status (B=0.046, p<0.05). Overnight urinary norepinephrine correlated with nocturnal systolic BP (r=0.387, p<0.01) with a trend towards correlation with systolic dipping (p=0.087). In 20 CPAP-treated patients, night-time systolic BP decreased (p<0.05) and mean nocturnal BP dip increased (p≤0.05).ConclusionIn this normotensive cohort, OSA severity was associated with higher nocturnal BP, which improved following CPAP therapy, and intermittent hypoxia was the most important OSA-related variable in this relationship.

Prevalence and characteristics of isolated nocturnal hypertension in the general population.

Background/AimsAscertaining the prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INHT) in the general population and identifying the characteristics of patients with INHT may be important to determine patients who should receive 24- hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of INHT in the general population.MethodsOf 1,128 participants (aged 20 to 70 years), we analyzed 823 who had valid 24-hour ambulatory BP measurements and were not on antihypertensive drug treatment.ResultsThe prevalence of INHT in the study was 22.8%. Individuals with INHT had a higher office, 24-hour, and daytime and nighttime ambulatory systolic and diastolic BPs compared to individuals with sustained day-night normotension. INHT was more prevalent in individuals with masked hypertension (MH) than in those with sustained hypertension (59.8% vs. 15.6%, p < 0.001). Among individuals with INHT, 92.6% had MH. Among individuals with office BP-based prehypertension, 34.5% had both INHT and MH. The prevalence of INHT was highest in individuals with office BP-based prehypertension. INHT was an independent determinant of MH after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP, systolic and diastolic BP dipping, and systolic and diastolic BP non-dipping.ConclusionsThe present study showed that INHT is not uncommon and is a major determinant of MH. Our findings strongly suggest the use of 24-hour ambulatory BP measurement for individuals within the prehypertension range of office BP owing to the high prevalence of INHT and MH in this population.

Nocturnal blood pressure dip and parapapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout in normal-tension glaucoma

Choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) implies compromised optic nerve head perfusion in glaucoma patients. However, there are conflicting findings whether office-hour systemic blood pressure (BP) is related to the presence of CMvD. The present study investigated which systemic BP parameters, derived from 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), are associated with CMvD as assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). This study included 88 eyes of 88 NTG patients who underwent 24-h ABPM and OCT-A imaging. Various systemic BP parameters associated with the presence of CMvD were evaluated using logistic regression analyses. CMvD was detected in 38 NTG eyes (43.2%). NTG eyes with CMvD had nighttime diastolic BP (DBP) dip of greater magnitude and longer duration than eyes without CMvD. In multivariate logistic regression, worse VF mean deviation (MD) (odds ratio [OR] 0.786; P = 0.001), greater nighttime DBP dip “%” (OR 1.051; P = 0.034), and higher daytime peak IOP (OR 1.459; P = 0.013) were significantly associated with the presence of CMvD. Based on our findings that the eyes with CMvD are closely associated with having nighttime DBP dip, NTG patients with CMvD should be recommended to undergo 24-h ABPM.