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Forearm haemodynamics in obese normotensive and hypertensive subjects
J M Raison1, M E Safar, F A Cambien
1Diagnosis Center, Broussais Hospital, Paris, France.
Insights
Obese hypertensive patients exhibit a hyperkinetic forearm circulation with lower vascular resistance compared to non-obese hypertensive individuals. This suggests obesity alters forearm hemodynamics in hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Hypertension Research
- Obesity Medicine
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Obesity is increasingly prevalent and linked to cardiovascular complications.
- Understanding forearm hemodynamics in hypertension and obesity is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate forearm hemodynamics in normotensive and hypertensive men with varying obesity status.
- To compare forearm vascular resistance and blood flow between obese and non-obese hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- Pulsed Doppler flowmetry was used to assess forearm hemodynamics in 83 men.
- Participants were categorized into four groups: non-obese normotensive, obese normotensive, non-obese hypertensive, and obese hypertensive.
- Blood flow, forearm volume, blood flow velocity, and vascular resistance were measured.
Main Results:
- Obese subjects (normotensive and hypertensive) had significantly higher absolute blood flow (ml/min) than non-obese subjects.
- Forearm vascular resistance was significantly higher in non-obese hypertensive patients.
- Obese hypertensives demonstrated higher blood flow velocity and absolute blood flow, but lower vascular resistance compared to non-obese hypertensives.
Conclusions:
- Forearm vascular resistance in hypertension is elevated exclusively in non-obese individuals.
- Obese hypertensive patients exhibit a hyperkinetic forearm circulation characterized by increased blood flow and velocity, and decreased vascular resistance.
Abstract:
Forearm haemodynamics using pulsed Doppler flowmetry were studied in 83 men: 15 non-obese and eight obese normotensive subjects; 30 non-obese and 30 obese hypertensive patients. Mean ages were similar in the four subgroups. The blood pressure of normotensives and hypertensives was identical in obese and non-obese subjects. Blood flow, expressed in ml/min, was significantly higher in obese subjects, whether normotensive or hypertensive. However, when blood flow was expressed per unit litre of forearm volume, it was similar in the four subgroups. Forearm vascular resistance, whether expressed as absolute or normalized values, was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in non-obese hypertensives. When obese and non-obese hypertensives were compared, the former were characterized by higher values of blood flow velocity and blood flow, and lower values of vascular resistance, whether absolute or normalized values were used. This study shows firstly that forearm vascular resistance in hypertensives is increased exclusively in non-obese subjects, and secondly that obese hypertensives, when compared with non-obese hypertensives, are characterized by a hyperkinetic forearm circulation.