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Relationship between left ventricular mass index and 24-h urinary free cortisol and cortisone in essential arterial

D Duprez1, M De Buyzere, M Paelinck

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital, Gent, Belgium.

Journal of Hypertension
|December 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

In essential hypertension, elevated cortisol levels are linked to increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI), indicating cardiac hypertrophy. This relationship exists independently of arterial blood pressure in untreated patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Non-hemodynamic factors, such as elevated cortisol, can contribute to cardiac hypertrophy.
  • Cushing's syndrome demonstrates a link between high cortisol and ventricular hypertrophy, alongside increased aortic pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cortisol/cortisone levels and left ventricular mass index (LVMI).
  • To examine this relationship in patients with essential arterial hypertension, with and without echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Main Methods:

  • Eighteen untreated essential hypertension patients and 13 normotensive controls were enrolled.
  • Echocardiography assessed left ventricular dimensions.
  • 24-hour urinary free cortisol and cortisone concentrations evaluated cortisol production.

Main Results:

  • LVMI correlated significantly with 24-hour urinary free cortisol (r=0.61) and cortisone (r=0.60).
  • Patients with LVH exhibited higher daytime blood pressure, LVMI, and urinary cortisol.
  • Cortisol and cortisone levels did not correlate with LVMI in the control group.

Conclusions:

  • A significant relationship exists between LVMI and cortisol production in untreated hypertension.
  • This association is independent of arterial blood pressure levels.
Abstract

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