Diurnal Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Hypertensive Patients with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

3.2K

Yang-Kun Chen1, Zhuo-Xin Ni1, Wei Li1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Donguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, South Medical University), Dongguan, 523000 Guangdong Province, China.

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases : the Official Journal of National Stroke Association
|February 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Blood pressure variability, not heart rate variability, is linked to cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Reduced nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP) fall and abnormal dipping patterns indicate a higher CSVD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common condition, but its link to autonomic dysfunction is not fully understood.
  • Investigating the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) in CSVD is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between CSVD and BPV and HRV.
  • To determine if autonomic dysfunction markers predict CSVD development or progression.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 50 CSVD patients and 50 matched controls.
  • Utilized 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings.
  • Assessed various BPV indices, including mean blood pressure, coefficient of variation, weighted standard deviation, and nocturnal blood pressure dipping patterns.

Main Results:

  • CSVD patients exhibited significantly higher 24-hour mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as elevated daytime and nocturnal blood pressure.
  • A significantly lower nocturnal systolic blood pressure fall rate was observed in CSVD patients, with increased likelihood of non-dipper and reverse-dipper patterns.
  • No significant differences in heart rate variability were found between groups, but specific blood pressure variability indices strongly correlated with CSVD presence.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced nocturnal systolic blood pressure fall rate is a significant indicator associated with cerebral small vessel disease.
  • Hypertensive patients with non-dipper and reverse-dipper blood pressure patterns face a substantially higher risk of developing CSVD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressure variationCerebral small vessel diseaseHeart rate variabilityStroke

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow Autoregulation in the Rat Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry07:12

Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow Autoregulation in the Rat Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry

Published on: January 19, 2020

9.6K
Assessing Cerebral Autoregulation via Oscillatory Lower Body Negative Pressure and Projection Pursuit Regression11:26

Assessing Cerebral Autoregulation via Oscillatory Lower Body Negative Pressure and Projection Pursuit Regression

Published on: December 10, 2014

12.6K

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
191
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
3.5K
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
331
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response01:15

Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response

Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
215
Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure

The neural regulation of blood pressure involves intricate interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system, ensuring adequate perfusion of tissues. This regulation primarily occurs through baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes, involving both short-term and long-term mechanisms.
Baroreceptor Reflex
Baroreceptors, located in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch, detect changes in blood pressure. When blood pressure rises, these stretch-sensitive receptors...
6.0K
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
5.8K