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Decreased fibrinolytic activity and increased platelet function in hypertension. Possible influence of calcium
Insights
Mild hypertension is linked to increased platelet aggregation and decreased fibrinolytic activity. The calcium antagonist isradipine improved these factors, potentially reducing thromboembolic disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Mild hypertension is associated with altered platelet function and fibrinolysis.
- Platelet aggregation and fibrinolytic activity are crucial in cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate platelet aggregability and fibrinolytic activity in mild hypertension.
- To evaluate the effects of isradipine on these parameters in hypertensive patients.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of 12 hypertensive patients with 12 healthy controls for platelet aggregation and tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity.
- Treatment of hypertensive patients with isradipine for 12 months with follow-up assessments.
Main Results:
- Hypertensive patients showed increased platelet aggregation (lower ADP threshold) and decreased t-PA activity compared to controls.
- Isradipine treatment led to decreased platelet aggregation and increased t-PA activity in hypertensive patients.
Conclusions:
- Mild hypertension is characterized by enhanced platelet aggregation and reduced fibrinolytic activity.
- Isradipine may offer protection against thromboembolic diseases beyond its blood pressure-lowering effects by modulating platelet function and fibrinolysis.
Abstract:
Twelve patients with mild hypertension were compared, after 14 days of placebo, with an age- and gender-matched group of 12 healthy volunteers for platelet aggregability and fibrinolytic activity. Following this, 10 of the 12 hypertensives were treated with the calcium antagonist isradipine for 12 months. Blood was drawn for determinations of platelet aggregation and fibrinolytic activity after two weeks and 12 months of treatment. Platelet aggregation tended to increase in the hypertensives compared with controls, indicated by a lowering of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) threshold value for irreversible aggregation. Tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity was significantly decreased in hypertensives compared to controls (P less than .05). During therapy, platelet aggregation decreased and t-PA activity increased (P less than .05). The present data suggest that fibrinolytic activity is decreased and platelet aggregation increased in mild hypertension. Besides the blood pressure-lowering effect, isradipine may protect against thromboembolic diseases by modifying platelet function and fibrinolytic activity.