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Published on: May 3, 2018

[Blood pressure variability correlates with target-organ damage in elderly patients with hypertension]

Qing-qiong Zhang1, Xin-jun Zhang, Bin-bin Chang

  • 1Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical Science Edition
|April 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure variability (BPV) is common in elderly hypertensive patients and predicts target-organ damage. This study found increased BPV correlated with carotid artery intima-media thickness, left ventricular mass index, and microalbuminuria.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Hypertension Research

Context:

  • Elderly hypertensive patients often exhibit elevated blood pressure variability (BPV).
  • Understanding the link between BPV and target-organ damage is crucial for managing hypertension in older adults.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and target-organ damage in elderly hypertensive patients.
  • To determine if BPV is an independent predictor of organ damage.

Summary:

  • This study included 197 elderly patients, comparing 146 hypertensive individuals with 51 controls.
  • Measurements included 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (SBPV/DBPV), daytime (d SBPV/DBPV), and nighttime (n SBPV/DBPV) variability.
  • Hypertensive patients showed significantly higher 24-hour SBPV and d SBPV. Higher BPV correlated with increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and microalbuminuria (MA).
  • Multivariable regression confirmed 24-hour SBPV as an independent predictor of IMT, LVMI, and MA.

Impact:

  • Findings highlight BPV as a significant risk factor for target-organ damage in elderly hypertensive patients.
  • This underscores the importance of monitoring and managing BPV in this population to prevent cardiovascular complications.
  • The study provides evidence for BPV as a key indicator for assessing organ damage risk in geriatric hypertension.
Abstract

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