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Blood Pressure Load: An Effective Indicator of Systemic Circulation Status in Individuals With Acute Altitude
Renzheng Chen1,2, Xiaowei Ye1,2, Mengjia Sun1,2
1Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
|January 20, 2022
Summary
High altitude exposure increases blood pressure (BP) and BP load in individuals with acute mountain sickness (AMS). These BP load variations are significant indicators of AMS and systemic circulation status at altitude.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Acute high altitude (HA) exposure commonly causes blood pressure (BP) fluctuations.
- Elevated BP has been linked to acute mountain sickness (AMS).
- BP load is a potentially significant clinical marker for systemic circulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HA-induced BP changes in AMS patients versus healthy individuals.
- To explore the relationship between 24-hour ambulatory BP parameters (level, variability, load) and AMS.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-nine participants ascended to 4,100 m.
- 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and echocardiography were performed.
- The 2018 Lake Louise questionnaire assessed AMS severity.
Main Results:
- The AMS group showed significantly higher 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP variations compared to the non-AMS group.
- Mean 24-hour cumulative BP load (cBPL) variations were significantly greater in the AMS group.
- 24-hour mean cBPL variations were identified as independent risk factors for AMS and correlated with AMS scores.
Conclusions:
- AMS patients exhibit greater BP and BP load changes following altitude exposure.
- Elevated BP load variations are strongly associated with AMS.
- BP load serves as an effective indicator of systemic circulation status in AMS.
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