Hypertensive Parents Research Articles

HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN OFFSPRING OF NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE PARENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the differences in heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of autonomic nervous system, between offspring of normotensive and hypertensive parents to understand the genetic predisposition of autonomic dysfunction. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional observational study.Two groups of healthy adults, offspring of parents with hypertension (n = 50) and offspring of parents with normal blood pressure (n = 50). Short-term HRV was measured using 5-minute electrocardiogram (ECG). HRV indices such as time and frequency domainwere measured. Data were compared by using independent t-tests, with p < 0.05 being considered as statistically significant. Results:The offspring of parents with hypertension showed significantly lower HRV, with SDNN (30.5 ± 8.2 ms) compared to offspring of parents with normal blood pressure (45.2 ± 7.1 ms, p < 0.001). RMSSD also was significantly lower in offspring of hypertensive group. Low-frequency (LF) power was higher in offspring of parents with hypertension,while high-frequency (HF) power was significantly reduced in them compared to the normotensive group. The LF:HF ratio was higher in offspring of parents with hypertension (2.80 ± 0.85) compared to the normotensive group (1.40 ± 0.60, p < 0.001), indicating sympathovagal imbalance. Conclusion: Offspring of parents with hypertension hadlower HRV, suggesting autonomic dysfunction even in the absence of clinical hypertension. These findings emphasize the potential role of genetic predisposition in the early onset of autonomic dysregulation Further studies are required to understand mechanisms contributing to these differences in HRV.

Comparison of isometric handgrip test among pregnant offspring of hypertensive parents and pregnant offspring of non-hypertensive parents.

A family history of hypertension is one of the important risk factors for the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Offspring of hypertensive parents should be screened for PIH. The isometric handgrip (IHG) test is used to assess autonomic function among them. Autonomic function dysregulation can indicate their predisposition to develop PIH later in the course of pregnancy. To compare the IHG among pregnant offspring of hypertensive parents (Group 1) and non-hypertensive parents (Group 2). This is a cross-sectional study done among 100 pregnant women in the second trimester (50 participants in each group). Blood pressure responses to sustained hand grip for 2 minutes of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were recorded, immediately at the end of the IHG test and after 5 minutes of the IHG test. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the responses in two groups. There is no statistical difference in basal blood pressure and heart rate between the two groups. Group 1 exhibited a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared to Group 2 immediately after 2 minutes of the IHG test. There is a significant increase in SBP after 5 minutes of the IHG in Group 2. Offspring of hypertensive parents have increased sympathetic reactivity and restoration of the blood pressure is significantly less compared to offspring of normotensive parents, which may predispose them for PIH. IHG can be applied as a convenient tool to screen the population who are at risk of PIH in places like primary health centres or field screenings where IHG is one possible option.

Insulin resistance is associated to future hypertension in normotensive salt-sensitive individuals: a 10-year follow-up study.

Salt-sensitive hypertension is associated with insulin resistance in nonobese individuals. However, no data have been reported for normotensive offspring of hypertensive salt-sensitive parents. To evaluate in normotensive salt-sensitive or salt-resistant offspring of hypertensive parents (offSS-HT and offSR-HT, respectively): the possible association between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of developing hypertension in a 10-year follow-up. Forty-one offSS-HT (29 ± 2 years; 20 female) and 36 offSR-HT (25 ± 3 years; 16 female) were followed up for 10 years. Both groups were considered lean. At baseline, creatinine clearance (CrCl), 24 h urinary albumin excretion (UAE), glycemia, and insulinemia were measured before and after 60 and 120 min of glucose overload (75 g). HOMA Index and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Blood pressure (BP) and 24 h urine sodium excretion was measured annually. Postischemic minimum vascular resistance (forearm plethysmography) was assessed at baseline. In offSS-HT, UAE (53 ± 3 mg/min) and CrCl (136 ± 8 ml/min) were higher in offSS-HT than in offSR-HT. (UAE: 12 ± 4 mg.min; p,0.01 and CrCl 107 ± 6 ml.min; P < 0.01). An impaired vasodilatory postischemic response was observed in offSS-HT compared with offSR-HT ( P < 0.01). In offSS-HT glycemia, insulin, AUC at 69 and 120 min post OTG were greater than in offSR-HT, p < 0.02. In offSS-HT, blood pressure rose ( P < 0.01) the 10 years follow-up compared with offSR-HT. Salt sensitivity in the offspring of hypertensive salt-sensitive individuals is associated with insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction and is prone to hypertension over a short period of time.

Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure difference in offspring of normotensive and hypertensive parents among students of tertiary care teaching hospital, Hyderabad

Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure difference in offspring of normotensive and hypertensive parents among students of tertiary care teaching hospital, Hyderabad

Impact of an active lifestyle on cardiovascular autonomic modulation and oxidative stress in males with overweight and parental history of hypertension.

Family history of hypertension is associated with early autonomic dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. These alterations have been found to be reinforced by the overweight factor. Conversely, an active lifestyle is effective in improving the mechanisms regulating blood pressure control. Hence, we ought to investigate the effects of an active lifestyle on the hemodynamic, autonomic and oxidative stress parameters in individuals carrying both family history of hypertension and overweight risk factors. Fifty-six normotensive males were divided into four groups: eutrophic offspring of normotensive parents (EN, n = 12), eutrophic and inactive with hypertensive parents (EH, n = 14), overweight and inactive with hypertensive parents (OH, n = 13), and overweight and physically active with hypertensive parents (OAH, n = 17). Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate (HRV) and blood pressure (BPV) variability indexes. Oxidative stress included pro/antioxidant markers and nitrite concentration. Inactive offspring of hypertensive parents (EH and OH) showed higher LFSBP (vs EN), an indicator of sympathetic outflow to the vasculature and reduced anti-oxidant activity (vs EN), while higher pro-oxidant markers were found exclusively in OH (vs EN and EH). Conversely, the OAH group showed bradycardia, higher vagally-mediated HFabs index (vs OH and EN), lower sympathovagal balance (vs OH) and preserved LFSBP. Yet, the OAH showed preserved pro/antioxidant markers and nitrite levels. Our findings indicates that overweight offspring of hypertensive parents with an active lifestyle have improved hemodynamic, cardiac autonomic modulation and oxidative stress parameters compared to their inactive peers.

Abstract P398: Family History of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension Are Associated With Prevalent Disease in US Americans of South Asian Origin

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease and stroke, CVD) is a major health risk among the South Asian diaspora in the US. Factors like genetics and acculturation can influence the onset and progression of these diseases. Our study investigated the associations of acculturation and family history with CVD and a major CVD risk factor of hypertension (HTN) in US South Asians. Methods: We surveyed 105 US South Asian adult participants recruited at a community event. Respondents provided information on acculturation (measured by the adoption of English spoken at home), and family history of CVD and HTN in parents and siblings. Prevalence of CVD and HTN were compared between those with or without factors of interest. Multivariate logistic regression models were run for family history variables of interest, adjusted for age, gender, and English speaking at home. Results: Participants had median age 54 (range 20-75) years, and 69.2% were male. The Table shows the association of parental and sibling history of CVD and hypertension with having CVD or HTN personally, and the association of home language with these conditions. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression analysis found little attenuation, in that , sibling history of CVD remained significantly associated with personal CVD (p = 0.026), parental history of HTN remained significantly associated with personal HTN (p=0.004) and sibling history of HTN remained significantly associated with personal HTN (p=0.014). Conclusion: Among South Asians in the US, family history in 1st degree relatives, rather than language acculturation, is associated with personal CVD and HTN, suggesting a genetic burden. The stronger association of sibling history rather than parental history of CVD suggests a possible role of environmental or secular factors that siblings may share more than parents and offspring. In this population at high risk of CVD, careful recording of family history may help early prevention strategies.

Effect of parental hypertension on heart rate variability

Background: Nowadays, pre-hypertension is common in young adults, especially children of hypertensive parents who are more prone to it. One of the earliest signs of hypertension is sympathovagal imbalance, which can be detected by heart rate variability (HRV) even at a subclinical stage. This study helps us to analyze HRV among the offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents. Aims and Objectives: The objective is to compare and analyze HRV among offspring of hypertensive parents and normotensive parents. Materials and Methods: 60 healthy young adolescent males (age 18–20 years) were involved in the study. Out of which 30 are offspring of hypertensive parents, 30 are offspring of non-hypertensive parents. HRVs were recorded. Results were tabulated and analyzed by the student “t” test. Results: Low-to-high frequency (LF/HF) ratio, normalized high frequency (HFnu), and normalized low frequency (LFnu) values were compared between offspring of hypertensive parents and normotensive parents. It was found to be significant by the student “t” test [“P” &lt; 0.05]. Conclusion: In my study, an increased LF/HF ratio and LFnu and decreased HFnu were noted in the offspring of hypertensive parents. It denotes a sympathovagal imbalance. The autonomic nervous system can be accurately assessed by HRV, which is helpful for the early diagnosis of hypertension. Early diagnosis of hypertension in high-risk people using HRV is helpful to avoid further cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications.

Association Between Parental BMI and Offspring's Blood Pressure by Mediation Analysis: A Study Using Data From the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

This study analyzed the relationship between parental body mass index (BMI; BMI_p) and hypertension in their adolescent offspring (HTN_a), focusing on the mediating effect of adolescents' BMI (BMI_a). Utilizing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including participants aged 12-18, we conducted a mediation analysis while controlling for confounding factors such as age, sex, physical activity, dietary habits, household income quartile, and parents' alcohol and smoking habits. The study included a total of 5731 participants, of whom 3381 and 5455 participants had data on fathers' and mothers' BMI, respectively. For adolescent systolic blood pressure (SBP_a), the father's BMI (BMI_f) had a significant total effect (β, 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12 to 0.34) and average controlled mediated effect (ACME) (β, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.32), but the average direct effect (ADE) was not significant. The mother's BMI (BMI_m) had a significant total effect (β, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.25), ACME (β, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.28) and ADE (β, -0.08; 95% CI, -0.16 to 0.00). For adolescent diastolic blood pressure, both BMI_f and BMI_m had significant ACMEs (β, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.12 and β, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.12, respectively), BMI_m had a significant ADE (β, -0.09; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.02) but BMI_f had an insignificant ADE and total effect. The study found that parental BMI had a significant effect on SBP_a, mediated through BMI_a. Therefore, a high BMI in parents could be a risk factor, mediated through BMI_a, for systolic hypertension in adolescents, necessitating appropriate management.

APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK FOR PREDICTING HYPERTENSION STATUS AND INDICATORS IN HADEJIA METROPOLITAN

The responsibilities of hypertension or long blood pressure is rapidly increasing worldwide. Jigawa state in Nigeria seems to be one of the most affected states in the country. The frequency of hypertension in Hadejia forms an ongoing section of the overall responsibility in Jigawa state because of its population among local governments in the state. The purpose of this research is to determine the frequency and classification of a case of hypertension in Hadejia. A survey for some factors was conducted to identify which among the factors impact the prevalence of long blood pressure in Hadejia. It can be seen that the overall prevalence of hypertension in the study was found to be 45.97156% and 54.02844% were found to be non-hypertensive among the categories, those who are married have a higher prevalence of 35.07109%. The study produced the results shown in Table 2, which show the frequency of hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients among the categories and the prevalence of hypertension among those categories. Non-diabetic and those whose parents are hypertensive have the same prevalence of 34.12322% whereas those at or below 25 years of age have a less prevalence of 1.421801% of hypertension. Likewise, in Table 4, ANN with 64.3% of accuracy (sensitivity). The outcome for the testing sample performed better with an accuracy of 64.35% than that for the training sample with an accuracy of 70.4%, and the result shows that Age, Diabetics, and parental Hypertension Status are contributing to the prevalence of Hypertension or long blood pressure.

Parental History of Hypertension: A Risk for Autonomic Dysfunction and Metabolic and Vascular Derangement in Normotensive Male Offspring.

Children of hypertensive parents have an increased propensity of developing hypertension, at an age very much prior to their parents. Understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension in such young individuals, especially baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), is necessary. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV), insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, and decreased vasodilatory adipokines, namely, apelin and relaxin, in normotensives may predispose to the onset of hypertension. Thus, this study compared autonomic functions, vascular markers, and metabolic profiles between normotensive male offspring with and without parental hypertension. This analytical cross-sectional study comprised 40 male normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents, aged 18-35 years, recruited as the study group and 40 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched normotensive male offspring with non-hypertensive parents enrolled as controls. Cardiovascular autonomic functions, including BRS, HRV, diastolic blood pressure response to isometric handgrip test (ΔDBPIHG), Valsalva ratio, and metabolic and vascular markers, were assessed. The study group exhibited reduced BRS, HRV, and Valsalva ratio and higher ΔDBPIHG compared to controls, indicating impaired autonomic functions. The study group had higher IR and triglyceride levels and reduced apelin and relaxin levels. BRS showed significant correlations with HRV, Valsalva ratio, ΔDBPIHG, and metabolic and vascular markers. Normotensive male offspring of hypertensive parents exhibit impaired autonomic functions, as evidenced by reduced BRS, HRV, and Valsalva ratio. Additionally, they have higher IR, dyslipidemia, and decreased levels of vasodilatory adipokines, indicating an increased risk for future hypertension development. These findings signify that early identification of hypertensive potential in this high-risk population is warranted, which would enable taking necessary preventive measures.

Acute effect of various dosages of sugar ingestion on vascular function in offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents.

We aimed to study vascular function in healthy men with a parental history of hypertension compared to those without. Acute effect of various dosages of sugar ingestion on vascular function was also investigated in both groups. Thirty-two healthy men were recruited and divided into two groups, offspring of hypertensive parents (OHT) and offspring of normotensive parents (ONT). Participants were orally given 15, 30, and 60 g of sucrose solution compared to water. Peak forearm blood flow (FBF), forearm vascular resistance (FVR), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and oxidative stress markers were measured at baseline and after sucrose intake at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. At baseline, peak FBF was significantly lower (22.40 ± 1.18 vs. 25.24 ± 0.63 ml × dl -1 × min -1 , P < 0.001), FVR was significantly higher (3.73 ± 0.42 vs. 3.30 ± 0.26 mmHg × ml -1 × dl × min, P = 0.002), and PWV was significantly faster (6.31 ± 0.59 vs. 5.78 ± 0.61 m/s, P = 0.017) in OHT than ONT. After each sucrose intake, peak FBF significantly declined and was lowest at 30 min in both groups. The reduction in peak FBF was seen in all doses of sucrose and the higher dose of sucrose intervened, the longer reduction in peak FBF observed. Vascular function was attenuated in healthy men with a family history of hypertension and became worse after sucrose ingestion even at the low dose. Our findings suggest that the ones, especially those with a parental history of hypertension, should reduce sugar consumption as low as possible.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among bank employees in Dhaka city of Bangladesh

: Jobs in the banking sector are perceived challenging and stressful; therefore, the likelihood of hypertension among the bank employees is high. However, no previous study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among the bank employees in Bangladesh. Therefore, in this study, we estimated prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among a sample of bank employees in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from the 180 bank employees selected conveniently. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to observe the factors associated with hypertension. Prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension among the respondents were 24.44% and 32.22%, respectively. Furthermore, more than half of those found with hypertension were previously undiagnosed. We found that bank employees’ sex, family size, monthly salary, parental hypertension, parental diabetes, parental renal disease, and daily meat consumption were the factors significantly associated with hypertension. Our findings indicated that hypertension prevalence among the respondents was higher than that of national prevalence. Awareness build-up and healthy lifestyle is recommended to prevent hypertension associated morbidity and mortality in the future. Further studies could be carried out to identify the causal mechanisms of hypertension and appropriate interventions to address the issue.

Altered baroreflex sensitivity at rest and during Valsalva maneuver in healthy male offspring of hypertensive patients

A family history of hypertension puts young adults at a higher risk of developing hypertension, that too, at an earlier age than their parents. Recent studies suggest that the baroreflex mechanism, which takes care of the short-term regulation of blood pressure (BP), also plays a role in the long-term regulation of BP. Studies have reported decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in hypertensives. Reduced BRS is shown to herald the future occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and helps in risk stratification AIM: Toassess BRS at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver among apparently healthy male offspring (age 18-35 years) of hypertensive patients. We recruited 37 participants whose parents (either/both) were hypertensive in the study group and whose parents (both) were not hypertensive in the control group. We measured basic anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist circumference), cardiovascular parameters (heart rate and BP), short-term heart rate variability, and BRS (at rest and during Valsalva). We found that BRS at rest and BRS during the Valsalva maneuver were reduced among healthy male offspring of hypertensive parents than in healthy male offspring of non-hypertensive parents. Further, HRV indices and Valsalva ratio showed a sympathovagal imbalance in the form of decreased vagal and increased sympathetic activity. The reduced BRS and sympathovagal imbalance in male offspring of hypertensive parents reveal the early risk of developing hypertension in the future.

A study of post exercise hypotension in normotensive offspring of hypertensives after acute exercise.

Post exercise hypotension (PEH) is a well-known entity in hypertensive and borderline hypertensive patients. Since the results are inconsistent in normotensives and there is a genetic predisposition of the individuals to hypertension, we hypothesized that PEH is expected to occur in those normotensives who are offspring of hypertensive parents. In this study, we therefore aimed to compare the magnitude of PEH after an acute bout of moderate intensity continuous exercise (MICE) in the offspring of hypertensives vs. offspring of normotensives. Sixty normotensive participants of both genders (male and female in equal proportion), aged 18-40 yr, were divided into two groups based on their family history of hypertension. The cases (Group 1, n=30) consisted of the normotensives who were offspring of hypertensive parents while the normotensives who were offspring of normotensive parents were taken as the controls (Group 2, n=30). The hypertensive patients were excluded from the study. The individuals underwent a control session (sitting at rest for 5-10 min), followed by a single acute bout of MICE based on the target heart rate (60-70% of maximum heart rate) on a treadmill at the same time of the day (in the morning). The pre- and post-exercise measurements (after 10 min post exercise) of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were taken in all the participants using mercury sphygmomanometer in sitting position on the left arm. The intergroup and intragroup net effects of exercise on BP were compared with P<0.05 considered significant. The mean SBP was reduced by 5 mmHg than the baseline in the offspring of hypertensives (cases) as compared to the controls after exercise (P=0.01). The fall in mean DBP and MAP was insignificant across both the groups, but the magnitude of PEH measured as delta changes (BP before and after exercise) in SBP (~5 mmHg) and MAP (~4 mmHg) were significantly higher for the cases as compared to the controls (P=0.01). PEH occurs in higher magnitude in normotensives who are genetically predisposed to hypertension, such as offspring of hypertensive parents, and may find regular exercise-induced PEH as an important primary preventive tool to prevent or delay the development of hypertension.

Impact evidence of the vitamin D status in hypertensive patients in Morocco.

Vitamin D deficiency is a hot topic as it affects about 50% of the world's population. Beyond its extra-osseous effects, notably on the cardiovascular system. In recent years many epidemiological studies have looked at the role of vitamin D status in modulating blood pressure. It appears that there is an inverse association between serum vitamin D levels and blood pressure. It is in this context that our prospective study on the Moroccan population allows having global knowledge of the association between vitamin D and arterial hypertension. This is a descriptive study of vitamin D status in Moroccan hypertensive patients in whom blood samples were taken for serum 25(OH)D determination. The data collected were anonymised and entered into SPSS software. X2 and ANOVA tests were used to investigate the existence of correlations between vitamin D status and age, age at menopause, body mass index, sex and hypertension. 1015 hypertensive patients were included in this study with a female predominance of 84.2%, mainly over 50 years old in 80.8%, of whom 31.5% were overweight or obese, 13.2% had a hypertensive parent and 70.8% had vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D regulates at least 3% of the human genome with receptors throughout the body, including vascular smooth muscle cells, vascular endothelium and cardiomyocytes, where it acts by vasodilation and by blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to lower blood pressure. There is a relationship between low serum vitamin D levels and high blood pressure. Our study concluded that there is an association between hypovitaminosis D and the pathology of hypertension. However, further randomised studies are needed and in the meantime, clinicians could propose it in the therapeutic arsenal of Moroccan hypertensive patients.

Improved arterial stiffness after combined aerobic and resistance training: correlation with heart rate variability change in prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents.

Prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents are strongly linked to pathological processes of hypertension in later life. It is observed that young adults with high blood pressure (BP) have increased arterial stiffness, which is linked to autonomic anomalies. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of combined resistance and aerobic exercise training on BP, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baP-WV), and heart rate variability (HRV) in prehypertensive young men with hypertensive parents. Thirty prehypertensive males aged 19.6±1.2 years were randomly assigned to either a combined exercise training group (CBT, n=15) or no exercise group (CON, n=15). The CBT group performed combined exercise for 8 weeks, 3 times per week. BP, baP-WV, HRV, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and muscle strength were measured before and after the exercise intervention. Systolic BP (-5.1 mmHg, 3.9% decrease, P<0.05), diastolic BP (-3.9 mmHg, 6.1% decrease, P<0.01), mean arterial pressure (-4.2 mmHg, 4.7% decrease, P<0.05), baPWV (-0.4 m/sec, 3.5% decrease, P<0.01), standard deviation of all RR intervals (+58.5% increase, P<0.05) and very low frequency (VLF) (+34.6% increase, P<0.01), VO2peak (+11.7% increase, P<0.01) and one-repetition maximum leg press (+30.3% increase, P<0.01) were significantly improved in the CBT group after 8 weeks of training versus the CON group. Additionally, a reduction in baPWV was associated with an increase in the VLF power of HRV (r=0.72, P<0.01). These findings indicate that the combined training improves BP, arterial stiffness, vagal activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lower-body muscle strength in prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents.

Association of blood pressure and hypertension between parents and offspring: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

As the number of hypertension cases in the pediatric population is growing, we aimed to investigate the parent-offspring association of hypertension in Korea. We performed a cross-sectional analysis using the data of children and adolescents aged 10–18 years and their parents extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2018). We analyzed the correlation of blood pressure (BP) between offspring and their parents and investigated the odds ratio (OR) of having hypertension in offspring based on parental hypertensive status. A total of 3996 children and adolescents (2224 boys and 1772 girls) aged 10–18 years and their parents (3197 fathers and 3197 mothers) were evaluated. Both boys and girls had positive associations with both parents for systolic and diastolic BP. When neither parent, only the father, only the mother, or both parents were hypertensive, 6.6%, 10.4%, 13.3%, and 25.3% of boys and 6%, 12%, 12.7%, and 22.1% of girls had hypertension, respectively. The risk of having hypertension among offspring was approximately two times higher when one parent was hypertensive and over four times higher when both parents were hypertensive compared to that among controls whose parents were not hypertensive (OR: 2.230, 1.655, and 5.021 in boys with hypertension and 2.321, 2.169, and 4.554 in girls with hypertension in the mother only, the father only, and both parents, respectively). We identified familial aggregation of hypertension in Korea. As there was an increased likelihood of having hypertension in children with parental hypertension, parental hypertension may be utilized as a screening tool for hypertension in children.

Prevalences of cardiometabolic risk and lifestyle factors in young parents: evidence from a German birth cohort study

BackgroundStudies show that parents significantly impact their children’s health through their cardiometabolic risk profile and health behavior. There is only little information about the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and lifestyle factors among new parents yet. The aims of this study are therefore to evaluate the prevalences of cardiometabolic risk factors in parents of infants in Germany and to examine their lifestyle and health behavior.MethodsIn the KUNO-Kids health study, an ongoing birth cohort, parents (n = 930 mothers and 769 fathers) were asked about cardiometabolic risk factors (obesity/hypertension/type 2 diabetes mellitus) and lifestyle factors (dietary/sports/smoking habits/alcohol consumption) during the first year after the birth of their children via questionnaires. Chi-square as well as fisher exact tests were conducted to analyse associations between lifestyle factors and cardiometabolic risk factors.Results34.2% of mothers and 58.5% of fathers were overweight or obese. In 11.8% of the families, at least one parent suffered from hypertension, in 2.4% from type 2 diabetes mellitus. One year after delivery, 8.5% of mothers were smoking, 6.9% showed a risky alcohol consumption (> 10 g/d). 16.0% of fathers were smoking 4 weeks after childbirth, 10.7% showed risky alcohol consumption (> 20 g/d). 21.6% of mothers carried out sports activity for more than 2 h a week then. Parental hypertension was linked to a higher prevalence of risky alcohol consumption, obesity to a lower prevalence of daily fruits consumption.ConclusionsCardiometabolic risk factors were widespread among new parents with obesity and overweight having the highest prevalences. A considerable number of parents also practiced an unhealthy lifestyle showing that there is potential for improvement to promote the healthy development of their children.

Young South Asian women in the United Kingdom show evidence of blunted endothelium-dependent dilatation: implications for future cardiovascular disease.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is higher in South Asians than white Europeans. The offspring of hypertensive parents (OH) have greater risk of hypertension than offspring of normotensive parents (ON). We hypothesized that endothelium-dependent dilatation is already blunted in young South Asians, relative to young white European women, particularly in South Asian OH women. In young white European ON, South Asian ON and OH women (18-25 years old; 10 per group) who were normotensive, we recorded cutaneous perfusion by laser Doppler fluximetry during reactive hyperaemia and iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh), before and after inhibiting NO synthesis (NOS) or/and cyclooxygenase (COX). In these and an additional 135 age-matched South Asian and white European women, physical activity and life-style factors were assessed by questionnaire. ACh-evoked dilatation was blunted in young South Asians, relative to white European women. It was attenuated by NOS or COX inhibition in white European ON; by NOS inhibition only in South Asian ON, but not OH women. After combined NOS and COX inhibition, ACh-evoked dilatations were similar to control ACh responses. Similar findings were made for reactive hyperaemia. Questionnaire data indicated young South Asians have lower physical activity levels, fresh fruit and vegetable intake than white European women, South Asian OH being lower than white European ON, or OH women. Endothelium-dependent dilatation is blunted in young South Asians, relative to white European women, especially in South Asian OH in whom NO-dependent and prostaglandin-dependent dilatation is blunted. We suggest improved diet and greater physical activity could be particularly effective in improving endothelium-dependent dilatation and reducing future CVD risk in young South Asian OH women.

The mediating pathways between parental separation in childhood and offspring hypertension at midlife

Social life course determinants of adult hypertension are relatively unknown. This paper examines how parental separation before age 10 relates to hypertension at age 46. Adjusting for parental confounders and considering the role of adult mediators, we aim to quantify unexplored mediating pathways in childhood using prospectively collected data. Data from the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study are utilised. Hypertension is measured by health care professionals at age 46. Potential mediating pathways in childhood include body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, illness, disability, family socioeconomic status (SES) and cognitive and developmental indicators at age 10. Additionally, we explore to what extent childhood mediators operate through adult mediators, including health behaviours, family SES, BMI and mental wellbeing. We also test for effect modification of the relationship between parental separation and hypertension by gender. Nested logistic regression models test the significance of potential mediating variables. Formal mediation analysis utilising Karlson Holm and Breen (KHB) method quantify the direct and indirect effect of parental separation on offspring hypertension at midlife. There was an association between parental separation and hypertension in mid-life in women but not men. For women, family SES and cognitive and behavioural development indicators at age 10 partly mediate the relationship between parental separation and hypertension at age 46. When adult mediators including, health behaviours, family SES, BMI and mental wellbeing are included, the associations between the childhood predictors and adult hypertension are attenuated, suggesting that these childhood mediators in turn may work through adult mediators to affect the risk of hypertension in midlife. We found family SES in childhood, cognitive and behaviour development indicators at age 10, including disruptive behaviour, coordination and locus of control in childhood, to be important mediators of the relationship between parental separation and midlife hypertension suggesting that intervening in childhood may modify adult hypertension risk.