Circadian Blood Pressure Variations in Postmenopausal Females with Hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Hypertension Research

Background:

• Abnormal nocturnal blood pressure (BP) decline predicts cardiovascular events like carotid plaque and lacunar infarction in hypertensive patients.
• Understanding BP dipping patterns is crucial for managing hypertension, especially in vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate blood pressure (BP) dipping patterns in postmenopausal females with hypertension.
• To determine the association between menopause age and BP dipping, specifically the reverse-dipper pattern.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) to assess nocturnal systolic BP (SBP) decline.
• Included 163 postmenopausal females diagnosed with hypertension.
• Employed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of the reverse-dipper BP pattern was 32.3% in women menopausal in their 40s and 40% in their 50s.
• Menopause age was identified as an independent risk factor for BP reverse dipping (OR 1.148, P = 0.020).
• Menopause age showed a negative correlation with the decline rate of nocturnal SBP (r = -0.159) and diastolic BP (r = -0.161).

Conclusions:

• Menopause age is a significant risk factor for developing a reverse-dipper BP pattern in postmenopausal women with hypertension.
• Earlier menopause may be associated with a higher risk of abnormal nocturnal BP dipping.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering menopausal age in hypertension management for postmenopausal women.