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Creatine kinase activity and blood pressure in a normal population: the Tromsø study

Stein H Johnsen1, Hallvard Lilleng, Tom Wilsgaard

  • 1Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. sh_johnsen@live.no

Journal of Hypertension
|November 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Creatine kinase (CK) activity is linked to higher blood pressure in a large Norwegian population. This suggests CK may be a factor in hypertension, regardless of ethnicity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The etiology of primary hypertension remains largely unknown.
  • Previous observations in Black and multiethnic populations suggest a potential link between genetically high tissue creatine kinase (CK) activity and hypertension.
  • This study investigates if this association holds true in a Caucasian population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between creatine kinase (CK) activity and blood pressure in a large, normal Caucasian population.
  • To determine if CK is an independent factor associated with blood pressure.
  • To assess if the CK-blood pressure relationship is independent of ethnicity.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 12,776 men and women aged 30-87 in Tromsø, Norway.
  • Linear regression was used to model the association between creatine kinase (CK) and blood pressure.
  • Statistical adjustments were made for age, sex, BMI, glucose, creatinine, physical activity, and alcohol consumption.

Main Results:

  • Creatine kinase (CK) was independently associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
  • A one-unit increase in log CK correlated with a 3.3 mmHg rise in systolic and a 1.3 mmHg rise in diastolic blood pressure.
  • The association between CK and blood pressure was independent of antihypertensive medication.

Conclusions:

  • Creatine kinase (CK) activity is associated with blood pressure in a Caucasian population.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that CK may be an independent factor in primary hypertension.
  • The observed association suggests a potential biological mechanism linking CK to blood pressure regulation.
Abstract

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