Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure Research Articles

Abstract P202: The Effects of Sodium (Na) Reduction and the Dash Diet on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Black and Non-Black Individuals: Results From the DASH-Na Trial

Background: Black individuals compared to White individuals tend to have higher nighttime BP. It has been hypothesized that lifestyle changes will reduce and potentially eliminate this disparity. Objectives: To determine the effect of reduced Na and the DASH diet, alone and combined, on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in Blacks (B) and Non-Blacks (NB, mostly white). Methods: Participants (n=335, 58% B) were randomly assigned to eat a control diet or the DASH diet. On their assigned diet, each participant had three, randomly ordered, 30d feeding periods with different Na levels (low, medium, and high). ABP was measured at the end of each period. Results: Before feeding, mean office SBP was similar in B and NB (135.5 and 134.5 mmHg, respectively). On the reference diet (control diet with high Na), daytime and nighttime SBP were higher in B than NB adults (Table). Compared to the ref diet, reducing Na and consuming the DASH diet, alone and combined, substantially lowered daytime and nighttime systolic ABP in Black and Non-Black individuals. The DASH diet combined with low Na reduced daytime SBP in B and NB with no significant B-NB difference, i.e. no racial disparity in daytime SBP; otherwise, B-NB differences were present in daytime SBP for Na reduction alone and DASH diet alone. For nighttime SBP, there was a consistent pattern such that Na reduction alone, DASH diet alone, and the DASH diet with low Na reduced nighttime SBP in B and NB, but in each case, B had significantly higher nighttime SBP levels than NB. For DBP, Na reduction alone, DASH diet alone, and combined DASH with low Na reduced daytime and nighttime BP in B and NB, but significant B-NB differences persisted (data not shown). Conclusions: Reducing dietary Na and consuming the DASH diet, alone and combined, substantially lowered ABP in Black and Non-Black individuals. However, racial disparities in ABP mostly persisted. These results highlight the importance of implementing both the DASH diet and Na reduction as a means to reduce BP throughout the day, regardless of racial background.

Abstract 14531: Higher Urban Health Index is Associated With Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure in People Living in Southeast United States

Introduction: Hypertension is common in the Southeastern (SE) United States (US), which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosing hypertension and provides better information on cardio- and cerebrovascular risk than office blood pressure (BP). However, the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) and their influence on BP elevation has been scarcely examined on a neighborhood level. The Urban Health Index (UHI), developed by the World Health Organization, has the potential to measure disparities in SDOH at the small areal level and examine inequalities in health outcomes. Hypothesis: Higher UHI is associated with lower blood pressure. Methods: We analyzed data using a longitudinal cohort established in 1989 with 724 individuals (age 5-16 in 1989, 50.8% females, 47.1% African Americans) from the Central Savannah River Area. A census tract level UHI was calculated using indicators of employment, income, and educational attainment. The UHI is a unitless and continuous measure (between 0 and 1). The relationship between UHI (2000 and 2010 data) and ABP was examined using a linear regression model, adjusted for age, sex, race, and family socioeconomic status. Results: Higher UHI was associated with lower ABP, with a 3.15 mmHg and 2.72 mmHg drop in 24-hour systolic and diastolic ABP with 1 unit increase in UHI, respectively (2000 data; p=0.010; p=0.020). The 2010 data showed similar trends, with an increase in UHI linked to a 2.66 mmHg decrease in mean 24-hour systolic ABP (P=0.042), with the diastolic ABP reduction (1.74 mmHg) in the same direction though not statistically significant (p=0.088). Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to delineate the correlation of ABP with UHI. Our results show that a higher UHI is associated with lower systolic and diastolic ABP, underscoring the influence of aggregate indicators of SDOH on individual health outcomes. Our results support the utility of the UHI as a tool to inform health policymakers on disparities on a sub-county level thereby informing targeted interventions to address these disparities.

Doing it all: Effects of Family Responsibilities and Marital Relationship Quality on Mothers' Ambulatory Blood Pressure.

The shared provider responsibility between married couples does not translate to equally shared division of childcare (CC) and household labor. While some marriages contain highly positive aspects, marriages may also simultaneously contain both positive and negative aspects. The negativity in these relationships can negate the positivity and could potentially lead to the detriment of mothers' health. We examined mothers' ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) associated with their marital relationship quality and perceived equity with her spouse on CC and household tasks. We investigate these associations using a mixed multilevel model analysis on a sample of 224 mothers in heterosexual marriages, all of whom had children under the age of 18 years currently living in the home. Mothers' perception of equity in the division of CC responsibilities contributed to lower ABP. Additionally, mothers in supportive marital relationships (low negativity and high positivity) had lower ABP than those in ambivalent relationships (both high negativity and positivity). There was a crossover interaction such that the effect of relationship quality on ABP was moderated by the perception of equity in the division of CC. For mothers who report doing all the CC, they had lower ABP if they had a supportive marital relationship compared with mothers in ambivalent relationships. Whereas mothers who report more equity in CC and have a supportive relationship have higher ABP compared with mothers in ambivalent relationships. This study has implications related to dynamics within marital relationships. These results demonstrate important relational influences on mothers' ABP.

Ambulatory diastolic blood pressure: a marker of comorbidity in elderly fit hypertensive individuals?

BACKGROUNDMasked diastolic hypotension is a new blood pressure (BP) pattern detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in elderly hypertensives. The aim of this study was to relate ABPM and comorbidity in a cohort of fit elderly subjects attending an outpatient hypertension clinic.METHODSComorbidity was assessed by Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and CHA2DS2VASc score. All subjects evaluated with ABPM were aged ≥ 65 years. CCI and CHA2DS2VASc score were calculated. Diastolic hypotension was defined as mean ambulatory diastolic BP < 65 mmHg and logistic regression analysis was carried out in order to detect and independent relationship between comorbidity burden and night-time diastolic BP < 65 mmHg. RESULTSWe studied 174 hypertensive elderly patients aged 72.1 ± 5.2 years, men were 93 (53.4%). Mean CCI was 0.91 ± 1.14 and mean CHA2DS2VASc score of 2.68 ± 1.22. Subjects with night-time mean diastolic values < 65 mmHg were higher in females [54.7% vs. 45.3%, P = 0.048; odds ratio (OR) = 1.914, 95% CI: 1.047−3.500]. Logistic regression analysis showed that only CHA2DS2VASc score was independently associated with night-time mean diastolic values < 65 mmHg (OR = 1.518, 95% CI: 1.161−1.985; P = 0.002), but CCI was not. CONCLUSIONSABPM and comorbidity evaluation appear associated in elderly fit subjects with masked hypotension. Comorbid women appear to have higher risk for low ambulatory BP.

CD-19 CART therapy and orthostatic hypotension: a single center retrospective cohort study

BackgroundChimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapy is a form of cellular immunotherapy used to treat hematologic malignancies. Major adverse cardiovascular events have been seen in CART patients who have high grade CRS, higher baseline creatinine, and troponin elevation. However, the incidence and factors associated with orthostatic hypotension after CART therapy have not previously been reported in the literature.MethodsWe looked at patients who underwent CD-19 directed CART therapy at UPMC Shadyside hospital from April 1st 2018 to December 1st 2020. Patients were classified as having orthostatic hypotension if they had recorded orthostatic vital signs that were positive or provider notes indicated that vitals had been taken and were positive in the time period from discharge to 3 months post-CART. Data was analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression.Results79% of patients had orthostatic hypotension after discharge from their CART hospitalization and 64% of those patients were symptomatic. Older age, lower BMI, lower ambulatory diastolic blood pressure and grade 2 CRS were associated with orthostatic hypotension in the univariate analysis. Older age and lower ambulatory systolic blood pressure were associated with orthostatic hypotension in the multivariate analysis. Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension was associated with a history of hypertension in both the univariate and multivariate analysis. Patients with symptoms also had a higher pre-CART ejection fraction but this association was not seen in the regression model.ConclusionThere is a high incidence of orthostatic hypotension after CART therapy even after discharge. Therefore, orthostatic vitals signs and associated symptoms should be assessed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Older patients and patients with lower BMIs, lower ambulatory blood pressures, grade 2 CRS, or a history of hypertension may need closer monitoring.

Home and ambulatory blood pressure levels below target range and clinical effort to detect this condition: a population-based study in older treated hypertensives.

With implementation of stricter blood pressure (BP) treatment targets, potential for excessive BP lowering becomes an important issue, especially in older patients. Assess the magnitude, indicators and detection effort of BP levels below-target-range (BTR-BP) recommended by the European hypertension guidelines in older treated hypertensive patients (130-139/70-79mmHg). Cross-sectional, retrospective study (Seniors-ENRICA-2 cohort). General population. 1,329 treated hypertensive patients aged ≥65, assessed with three home casual BP measurements and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Based on the European hypertension guidelines and the literature, BTR-BPs were defined as mean BP <130/70, <125/65, <130/70 and <110/55mmHg, for casual BP, 24-hour BP, daytime BP and nighttime BP, respectively, and hypotension as <110/70, <105/65, <110/70 and <90/55mmHg, respectively. Participants' mean age was 72 ± 4.4 (50.3%, women). Based on casual BP, 7.2% of patients were in target range (130-139/70-79mmHg), 44.3% in BTR-BP (<130/70) and 20.8% hypotensive (<110/70). Some 44.9, 54.9 and 22.0% of patients were in BTR-BP for 24-hour BP, daytime BP and nighttime BP, respectively, and 11.0, 21.1 and 5.6%, respectively, were hypotensive. The number of patients needed for ABPM to detect one case of 24-hour-, daytime-, and nighttime-BTR-BP was 3, 2 and 5, respectively, and 10, 5 and 18, respectively, for detecting one hypotensive case. Cardiovascular disease and female sex were associated with both BTR-BP and hypotension, and the number of antihypertensive drugs was only associated with hypotension. BTR-BP levels were common in older treated patients at home and in everyday life, more frequent than many trials report, and daytime ABPM is highly size-efficient for detecting the low ambulatory BP conditions.

The Association of Orthostatic Hypotension With Ambulatory Blood Pressure Phenotypes in SPRINT.

Clinic blood pressure (BP) when measured in the seated position, can miss meaningful BP phenotypes, including low ambulatory BP (white coat effects [WCE]) or high supine BP (nocturnal non-dipping). Orthostatic hypotension (OH) measured using both seated (or supine) and standing BP, could identify phenotypes poorly captured by seated clinic BP alone. We examined the association of OH with WCE and night-to-daytime systolic BP (SBP) in a subpopulation of SPRINT, a randomized trial testing the effects of intensive or standard (<120 vs. <140 mm Hg) SBP treatment strategies in adults at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. OH was assessed during follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months) and defined as a decrease in mean seated SBP ≥20 or diastolic BP ≥10 mm Hg after 1 min of standing. WCE, based on 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring performed at 27 months, was defined as the difference between 27-month seated clinic and daytime ambulatory BP ≥20/≥10 mm Hg. Reverse dipping was defined as a ratio of night-to-daytime SBP >1. Of 897 adults (mean age 71.5±9.5 years, 29% female, 28% black), 128 had OH at least once. Among those with OH, 15% had WCE (vs. 7% without OH). Moreover, 25% of those with OH demonstrated a non-dipping pattern (vs. 14% without OH). OH was positively associated with both WCE (OR=2.24; 95%CI: 1.28, 4.27) and reverse dipping (OR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.31, 3.99). The identification of OH in clinic was associated with two BP phenotypes often missed with traditional seated BP assessments. Further studies on mechanisms of these relationships are needed. Trial Number NCT03569020.

Abstract P172: Orthostatic Hypotension And 24-hr Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring In The Sprint Trial

Background: Clinic blood pressure (BP) is measured in the seated position, which can miss important home BP phenotypes such as low ambulatory BP (white coat effects) or high supine BP (nocturnal non-dippers). Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is determined based on BP measurements in both seated (or supine) and standing positions, and thus could theoretically identify these important phenotypes in clinic. Objective: To determine the association of OH with white coat effects or night-to-daytime systolic BP (SBP) Methods: SPRINT was a randomized trial testing the effects of intensive (&lt;120 mmHg) or standard (&lt;140 mmHg) SBP treatment strategies in adults at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. OH was assessed at 6, 12, or 24-mths and defined as a decrease in standing and mean seated SBP ≥20 or DBP ≥10 mmHg after 1 min of standing. White coat effects, based on 24-hr ambulatory BP monitoring performed at the 27-mth visit (every 30-minutes), were defined as the difference between 27-mth seated clinic and ambulatory BP ≥ 20/≥10 mmHg. SBP dipping ratio was defined as the ratio of night-to-daytime SBP &gt;0.9. Results: Of 897 adults (mean age 71.5 [SD, 9.5] yrs, 28.7% female, 28.0% black), 128 had OH at least once. Among those with OH, 14.8% had white coat effects versus 7.2% among those without OH. Moreover, 68.8% of those with OH demonstrated non-dipping patterns versus only 52.0% of those without OH. OH was positively associated with both white coat effects (OR=2.24; 95% CI: 1.28, 4.27) and higher night-to-daytime SBP (β=0.04; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.06) ( Table ). Conclusions: Clinic-based assessments of OH may be a useful tool for identifying BP phenotypes often missed with traditional seated BP assessments.

Cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and ambulatory blood pressure in adolescents.

This study examined the association of cardiorespiratory fitness (fitness) and adiposity (Body Mass Index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]) with ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and tested the moderating effect of adiposity on the association between fitness and ABP. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 370 adolescents aged 11-16 years. Fitness was assessed by a height-adjusted step test and estimated by heart rate recovery, defined as the difference between peak heart rate during exercise and heart rate two minutes postexercise. Adiposity was measured using dichotomized values for percentiles of BMI (≥85th) and WC (≥50th). ABP was measured every 30-60 minutes over 24 hours on a school day. Mixed-effects regression analysis was used. Each unit increase in fitness was associated with a decrease of systolic blood pressure (SBP) [-0.058 mmHg, P=0.001] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [-0.043 mmHg, P<0.001] after adjustment for WC and covariates. Each unit increase in fitness was associated with a decrease in SBP [-0.058 mmHg, P=0.001] and DBP [-0.045 mmHg, P<0.001] after adjustment for BMI and covariates. Fitness and BMI≥85th percentile (or WC ≥ 50th percentile) interactions were not associated with ABP after adjustment for covariates. Our findings indicate a small but statistically significant inverse effect of fitness on ABP in adolescents. No evidence of a modifying effect of adiposity on this association suggesting that fitness and weight management have essential roles for maintaining lower ABP in adolescents.

Between-person and within-person approaches to the prediction of ambulatory blood pressure: the role of affective valence and intensity.

Identifying momentary influences on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) will help explain ABP variability; however, most research only examines aggregate ABP at the between-person level. This study used within-person methods to examine whether affective dimensions-valence and arousal-differentially predicted momentary ABP levels. A community sample (n=39) wore an ABP cuff that took BP measurements every 20min for 24h. At each measurement, participants reported levels of valence and arousal on electronic diaries. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the effects of momentary and person-averaged levels of valence and arousal on ABP. Greater momentary negative valence and arousal predicted higher systolic BP compared to more positive or lower arousal assessments; higher averaged levels of arousal predicted higher DBP. The results suggest the independence of the effects of valence and arousal on BP. These findings have important implications for designing interventions to lower ABP.

Marital status, dipping and nocturnal blood pressure

Blood pressure normally declines during the night ('dipping'); a blunted nocturnal decline is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Marriage may be associated with lower ambulatory blood pressure, although this may be confounded by socio-economic and dietary factors. We examined the association of marital status with nocturnal dipping and night-time SBP amongst individuals on a controlled diet. We analysed 325 individuals enrolled in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension trial who had available 24-h SBP data and who ingested a control diet. Logistic and linear regression models were fit to estimate the association of marital status with nocturnal dipping and mean night-time SBP. Of the 325 individuals, 52.9% were men, the average age was 45.1 years and 48.9% reported being married. Compared with nonmarried individuals, those who were married had greater adjusted odds of dipping [odds ratio (OR) 2.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-4.03; P = 0.01]. In adjusted models, being married was associated with lower night-time SBP (-2.4 mmHg; 95% CI -3.8 to -0.9 mmHg; P = 0.002), with the suggestion of a greater association in married men compared with married women (-3.1 vs. -1.7 mmHg); there was less difference for married nonblacks compared with married blacks (-2.7 and -2.4 mmHg, respectively). Being married is independently associated with a greater likelihood of nocturnal dipping and with lower night-time SBP among individuals participating in a controlled dietary intervention; the association was particularly strong in married men. Marital status is a variable that may be considered in future analyses of ambulatory blood pressure.

Maladaptive rumination moderates the effects of written emotional disclosure on ambulatory blood pressure levels in females

Written emotional disclosure (WED) has beneficial effects on health outcomes. However, its effectiveness is influenced by a number of variables. This exploratory study tested whether trait rumination, which comprises brooding, a maladaptive component, and reflection, an adaptive component, moderated the effects of WED on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in female participants.Fifty-two participants were randomized to write about their most stressful/traumatic life experience(s) or non-emotive topics, for 20 minutes, on 3 consecutive days. Two weeks and 14 weeks later, ABP was recorded over a single day.Using hierarchical linear modelling, an effect of condition was found at 2 weeks but not at 14 weeks indicating that higher levels of ABP were observed following WED. There was also a significant condition by brooding interaction at two weeks such that higher ABP was observed in low brooders in the WED condition compared with low brooders in the control condition. However, within the WED condition, the lowest ABP was exhibited by participants high in brooding.The findings indicated that WED led to short-lived increases in ABP which disappeared in the medium term. Researchers ought to build upon this exploratory study and investigate further the potential moderating role of brooding within WED. Individual differences in brooding may account for (some of) the mixed and inconsistent findings in past WED research.

Hypertension Analysis of Stress Reduction Using Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga: Results From the Harmony Randomized Controlled Trial

The HARMONY study was a randomized, controlled trial examining the efficacy of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for blood pressure (BP) lowering among unmedicated stage 1 hypertensive participants. Participants diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension based on ambulatory BP were randomized to either immediate treatment of MBSR for 8 weeks or wait-list control. Primary outcome analysis evaluated whether change in awake and 24-hour ambulatory BP from baseline to week 12 was significantly different between the 2 groups. A within-group before and after MBSR analysis was also performed. The study enrolled 101 adults (38% male) with baseline average 24-hour ambulatory BP of 135±7.9/82±5.8mm Hg and daytime ambulatory BP of 140±7.7/87±6.3 mmHg. At week 12, the change from baseline in 24-hour ambulatory BP was 0.4±6.7/0.0±4.9mm Hg for the immediate intervention and 0.4±7.8/-0.4±4.6mm Hg for the wait-list control. There were no significant differences between intervention and wait-list control for all ambulatory BP parameters. The secondary within-group analysis found a small reduction in BP after MBSR compared with baseline, a finding limited to female subjects in a sex analysis. MBSR did not lower ambulatory BP by a statistically or clinically significant amount in untreated, stage 1 hypertensive patients when compared with a wait-list control group. It leaves untested whether MBSR might be useful for lowering BP by improving adherence in treated hypertensive participants. NCT00825526.

Antihypertensive efficacy of angiotensin receptor blockers as monotherapy as evaluated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: a meta-analysis

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are available in different dosages and it is common clinical practice to uptitrate if blood pressure goal is not achieved with the initial dose. Data on the incremental antihypertensive efficacy with uptitration are scarce. It is also unclear if antihypertensive efficacy of losartan is comparable with other ARBs. We systematically reviewed PubMed/EMBASE/Cochrane databases for all randomized clinical trials until December 2012 reporting 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) for most commonly available ARBs in patients with hypertension. Reduction in ABP with ARBs was evaluated at 25% of the maximum (max) dose, 50% of the max dose, and at the max dose. Comparison was made between 24 h BP-lowering effect of losartan 50 and 100 mg and other ARBs at 50% max dose and the max dose, respectively. Sixty-two studies enrolling 15 289 patients (mean age 56 years; 60% men) with a mean duration of 10 weeks were included in the analysis. Overall, the dose-response curve with ARBs was shallow with decrease of 10.3/6.7 (systolic/diastolic), 11.7/7.6, and 13.0/8.3 mmHg with 25% max dose, 50% max dose, and with the max dose of ARBs, respectively. Losartan in the dose of 50 mg lowered ABP less well than other ARBs at 50% max dose by 2.5 mmHg systolic (P < 0.0001) and 1.8 mmHg diastolic (P = 0.0003). Losartan 100 mg lowered ABP less well than other ARBs at max dose by 3.9 mm Hg systolic (P = 0.0002) and 2.2 mmHg diastolic (P = 0.002). In this comprehensive analysis of the antihypertensive efficacy of ARBs by 24 h ABP, we observed a shallow dose-response curve, and uptitration marginally enhanced the antihypertensive efficacy. Blood pressure reduction with losartan at starting dose and at max dose was consistently inferior to the other ARBs.

Absorption in Self-Selected Activities Is Associated With Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure but Not for High Trait Ruminators

A range of nonpharmacological interventions (e.g., meditation) have positive effects on blood pressure (BP) but tend to have poor adherence. These interventions may lower BP partly by absorbing and directing attention away from one's negative thoughts. We hypothesized that recurring self-selected activities (SSAs) that are attentionally absorbing may similarly lower BP. We examined the effect of reported engagement in SSAs during the previous month prior to participation on ambulatory BP (ABP) and whether those prone to rumination were less likely to show these effects. Participants (n = 38) reported engagement in SSAs and how absorbing they were, responded to trait rumination and perceived stress questionnaires, wore an ABP monitor for 24 hours, and at each ABP measurement answered electronic diary questions assessing activity levels, affect, social interactions, and caffeine and tobacco use. Regression analyses tested whether the reported absorption of SSAs, trait rumination, and their interaction predicted daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic ABP. Greater absorption predicted lower daytime and nighttime ABP (bs = -18.83 to -8.79; Ps < .05), but this relationship was moderated by trait rumination (bs = 3.72 to 9.97; Ps < .05). Follow-up analyses revealed that absorption was unrelated to ABP for those with high trait rumination but that more absorption predicted lower ABP for those less prone to rumination. Our results suggest that regular engagement in absorbing SSAs is related to lower ABP. These findings have implications for the development of nonpharmacological interventions and suggest SSAs may serve as an adjuvant intervention strategy to lower BP.

Effect of polyphenol-rich grape seed extract on ambulatory blood pressure in subjects with pre- and stage I hypertension

Dietary polyphenols, such as those from grape products, may exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, including anti-hypertensive effects. We investigated the effect of a specific grape seed extract (GSE) rich in low-molecular-weight polyphenolic compounds on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in untreated subjects with pre- and stage I hypertension. In addition, potential mechanisms that could underlie the hypothesised effect of GSE on blood pressure (BP), and platelet aggregation, were explored. The study was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, parallel-group intervention study including seventy healthy subjects with systolic BP between 120 and 159 mmHg. A 1-week run-in period was followed by an 8-week intervention period, during which subjects consumed capsules containing either 300 mg/d of GSE or a placebo (microcrystalline cellulose). Before and after the intervention, daytime ABP readings, 24 h urine samples and fasting and non-fasting blood samples were taken. The mean baseline systolic BP was 135.8 (SE 1.3) mmHg and diastolic BP was 81.5 (SE 0.9) mmHg. BP values were modestly, but not significantly, affected by the polyphenol-rich GSE treatment v. placebo with an effect of - 3.0 mmHg for systolic BP (95% CI - 6.5, 0.5) and - 1.4 mmHg for diastolic BP (95% CI - 3.5, 0.6). Vasoactive markers including endothelin-1, NO metabolites and asymmetric dimethylarginine, plasma renin activity and platelet aggregation were not affected by the GSE intervention. Our findings show that consumption of polyphenol-rich GSE does not significantly lower ABP in untreated subjects with pre- and stage I hypertension.

Low ambulatory blood pressure as predictor of cognitive decline in older subjects with dementia or mild cognitive impairment

Low ambulatory blood pressure as predictor of cognitive decline in older subjects with dementia or mild cognitive impairment

Knowing your partner is not enough: spousal importance moderates the link between attitude familiarity and ambulatory blood pressure

Close relationships have been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. More research is needed, however, on the social and biological processes responsible for such links. In this study, we examined the role of relationship-based attitudinal processes (i.e., attitude familiarity and partner importance) on ambulatory blood pressure during daily life. Forty-seven married couples completed a questionnaire regarding their own attitudes, perceptions of their partner's attitudes, and perceptions of partner importance. They also underwent a 1-day ambulatory assessments of daily spousal interactions and blood pressure. Partner importance was related to better interpersonal functioning (e.g., partner responsiveness) and lower ambulatory systolic blood pressure. More interestingly, partner importance moderated the links between attitude familiarity and both ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This statistical interaction revealed that simply knowing a partner's attitudes was not enough as partner knowledge was primarily related to lower ambulatory blood pressure when they were also viewed as more important. These data are discussed in light of how attitude familiarity and spousal importance may jointly influence health outcomes and the social-cognitive mechanisms potentially responsible for such links.

Effect of valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide, and their combination on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure response in elderly patients with systolic hypertension

Stage 2 hypertension often requires combination antihypertensive therapy. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a useful tool for studying antihypertensive drugs and their combinations. This multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, prompted-titration study of patients of at least 70 years of age with systolic hypertension compared the efficacy of valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide, and their combination on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) reduction. After a 3-14-day washout, patients with systolic blood pressure of 150-200 mmHg were randomized (1 : 1 : 1) to initially receive once-daily valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide 160/12.5 mg combination therapy, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg monotherapy, or valsartan 160 mg monotherapy. Prompted uptitration of patients in whom BP was more than or equal to 140/90 mmHg was performed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. ABPM was performed at baseline and weeks 4 and 16 (study end). In this ABPM substudy (n=108), initiation of treatment with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide lowered ABP more effectively than either monotherapy throughout the daytime, night-time, and 24-h monitoring periods, as well as during the last 4 and 6-h dosing periods. Twenty-four-hour ABP was reduced from 141.1/76.5 mmHg at baseline to 125.8/69.2 mmHg at week 4 (primary time point) with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide compared with reductions from 142.2/78.7 to 139.1/77.5 mmHg with hydrochlorothiazide and 142.2/78.3 to 136.4/75.1 mmHg with valsartan (all P<0.01 in favor of combination therapy). In the overall study, tolerability was similar among the three treatment groups. In elderly hypertensives, starting combination therapy with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide provides more effective 24-h blood pressure control than the monotherapy components, with few therapy-related side-effects.

Response to Referral of Women to Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

We thank Drs Ben-Dov and Bursztyn1 for their insightful comments on our work.2 In their study of 3975 patients,3 they noticed that women (53.4%) and men experienced similar mortality rates, amounting to 11.2 and 10.8 deaths per thousand patient-years, respectively. Because women were on average 6 years older than men, Ben-Dov and Bursztyn explained the similarity in the mortality rates by referral bias in women, who, compared with men, had lower ambulatory blood pressure, a greater white-coat effect, and were treated more frequently (62% versus 53%).2 Unfortunately, the article by Ben-Dov and Bursztyn did not report sex-specific hazard ratios (HRs) for a given increase in blood pressure.3 Because in Ben-Dov's study women had the same death rate as men but at …