[Blood pressure variability--clinical implications]

Evaluation of blood pressure variability (BPV) calculated with the value of standard deviation in 24-hour blood pressure measurement may be of important clinical significance. The so far carried out studies have indicated that BPV affects the development of vascular changes, left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to other causes. However, BPV is affected by diverse factors such as age, body mass, arterial blood pressure value, pulse pressure, physical activity, emotional state, diabetes, hyperlipidemia. Having taken them into account, the prognostic value of BPV diminishes in the development of organ damage. In majority of studies, daily blood pressure variability was demonstrated to be the best indicator of vascular changes progression, while 24-hour variability correlated with night decrease of blood pressure. In young and middle-aged subjects the residual BPV calculated with Fourier spectral analysis had a prognostic value. So far, there have not been any convincing evidence that the decrease of variability with the application of pharmacotherapy delays organ damage progression.