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Association of white blood cell count with systolic blood pressure within the normotensive range

R H Orakzai1, S H Orakzai, K Nasir

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Journal of Human Hypertension
|March 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) within the normal range, even below 140 mm Hg, is linked to higher white blood cell (WBC) counts. This suggests inflammation may play a role in cardiovascular disease risk even in individuals without diagnosed hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Inflammation Research
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hypertension and inflammation are key contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Even systolic blood pressure (SBP) within the high-normal range is associated with increased CVD risk.
  • The relationship between elevated SBP in the normotensive range and inflammatory markers like white blood cell (WBC) count requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) within the normotensive range (<140 mm Hg) and white blood cell (WBC) count.
  • To determine if higher SBP levels within the normal range correlate with increased markers of inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 3484 asymptomatic white individuals without hypertension (SBP <140 mm Hg).
  • Participants categorized into three SBP groups: <120 mm Hg, 120-129 mm Hg, and 130-139 mm Hg.
  • Elevated WBC count defined as ≥75th percentile (8.35 x 10^9 cells/L); multivariate regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders.

Main Results:

  • Mean WBC count showed a linear increase across higher SBP categories (P=0.02 for trend).
  • Prevalence of elevated WBC count also increased linearly with higher SBP categories (22% to 28%, P=0.02).
  • Participants with SBP 130-139 mm Hg had significantly higher WBC counts (regression coefficient: 2.64, P=0.001) and increased odds of elevated WBC (OR: 1.50, P=0.001) compared to those with SBP <120 mm Hg.

Conclusions:

  • Higher systolic blood pressure within the normotensive range is associated with elevated white blood cell counts.
  • This association suggests a potential role for inflammation in individuals with high-normal SBP and their associated cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking high-normal SBP, inflammation, and CVD risk.

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