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Blood pressure variability in patients with diabetes mellitus

Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar1, Azizi Ayob, Noriah Mohd Noor

  • 1International Islamic University of Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Pahang, Malaysia. rafidahhanim@usim.edu.my

Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals
|August 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus exhibit increased blood pressure variability and reduced small artery compliance. Hyperglycemia may contribute to these vascular changes, leading to blood pressure fluctuations.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular physiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Vascular medicine

Background:

  • Reduced arterial compliance is noted in diabetes mellitus, but its link to atherosclerosis and vessel wall thickness is unclear.
  • Blood pressure variability in diabetic patients remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare blood pressure variability and arterial compliance between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and matched controls.
  • To investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on vascular function in diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Noninvasive 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in 18 diabetic patients and 18 controls.
  • Measurement of arterial compliance (small and large arteries).
  • Matching of control subjects for sex, age, and weight.

Main Results:

  • Diabetic patients showed significantly higher 24-hour systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure variability compared to controls.
  • Increased blood pressure variability was observed during daytime but not nighttime in diabetic patients.
  • Diabetic patients exhibited significantly reduced small artery compliance, with no differences in large artery compliance, cardiac output, or systemic vascular resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with elevated blood pressure variability, particularly during the day.
  • Small artery compliance is diminished in diabetic patients, suggesting hyperglycemia's potential role in vascular dysfunction.
  • These findings highlight the impact of hyperglycemia on vascular compliance and blood pressure fluctuations.

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