Is Nocturnal Systolic Blood Pressure Rise Associated with Central Hemodynamics and Arterial Stiffness?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess central hemodynamics and parameters of arterial stiffness of cases with nocturnal blood pressure rise.

MATERIAL and METHODS: In this retrospective study, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring of 252 hypertensive patients was performed with the Mobil-O-Graph Arteriograph.

RESULTS: 174 (%69.0) out of 252 patients were female and 78 (%31) were male and the mean age was 54.5±14.4. When Pearson’s correlation test was performed, the nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP) decline was associated with age (r=-0.169, p=0.008), diurnal pulse wave velocity (PWV) (r=-0.179, p=0.005), nocturnal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decline (r=0.790, p<0.001), nocturnal central SBP (r=-0.410, p<0.001), and nocturnal augmentation index (Aix@75) (r=-0.215, p=0.001). When patients were divided into three groups as 10 % or more nocturnal SBP decline, less than 10 % nocturnal SBP decline and nocturnal SBP increase, there were statistically signifi cant differences regarding nocturnal pulse pressure (p<0.001), nocturnal DBP decline (p<0.001, nocturnal Aix@75 (p<0.001), and nocturnal peripheral resistance (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: We believe that strict follow up of conventional risk factors causing arterial stiffness in patients with less than 10 % nocturnal BP decline or increase and also the use of chronotherapy may be useful.