Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and Assessment
10:31

An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and Assessment

Published on: April 20, 2018

Evidence for no global effect of metabolic syndrome per se on early hypertensive sequelae

Costas Tsioufis1, Dimitris Tsiachris, Kyriakos Dimitriadis

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece. ktsioufis@hippocratio.gr

Journal of Hypertension
|March 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic syndrome (MS) in hypertensive patients does not worsen cardiac structure or arterial stiffness beyond blood pressure effects. However, MS independently predicts glomerular damage, indicated by increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal damage.
  • Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
  • The impact of MS on target organ damage in hypertensive individuals requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components on cardiovascular and renal damage markers in essential hypertensive patients.
  • To determine if MS independently predicts organ damage beyond the effects of blood pressure.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 651 untreated, non-diabetic hypertensive patients from the 3H Study.
  • Assessment of left ventricular mass (indexed for body surface area and height), diastolic function (conventional and tissue Doppler imaging), arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), and microalbuminuria (albumin-to-creatinine ratio).
  • Statistical analysis including multiple regression to identify independent predictors of organ damage.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic syndrome was present in 30.9% of hypertensive patients.
  • Hypertensives with MS showed a higher prevalence of microalbuminuria and increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio.
  • Left ventricular mass indexed for height was higher in MS patients, but cardiac adaptations and arterial stiffness were similar between groups with and without MS, suggesting haemodynamic load as the primary driver.
  • MS was an independent predictor of increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio and microalbuminuria, indicating renal glomerular impact.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic syndrome does not exacerbate cardiac adaptations or aortic stiffness in hypertension beyond the effects of haemodynamic load.
  • The detrimental effect of MS in hypertensive individuals is primarily confined to the renal glomerulus.
  • Blood pressure components significantly influenced all studied indices of organ damage.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...