Cold Pressor Test in Primary Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hypertension Research
• Clinical Investigation

Background:

• Primary hypertension is a significant global health concern.
• The cold pressor test (CPT) is a physiological stressor used to evaluate cardiovascular responses.
• Understanding patient characteristics associated with positive CPT responses is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize patients with primary hypertension exhibiting a positive response to the cold pressor test (CPT).
• To identify clinical factors and outcomes associated with positive CPT results in hypertensive patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 48 hospitals from November 2018 to November 2019.
• Cold pressor test (CPT) performed on patients with primary hypertension.
• Demographic data, complications, and 12-month follow-up for mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure hospitalization were collected.

Main Results:

• 30.7% of patients had a positive CPT.
• Positive CPT group showed lower blood pressure control, higher prevalence of high-salt diet, diabetes, hyperuricemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid plaques, coronary heart disease, and heart failure.
• A high-salt diet was correlated with positive CPT (OR=1.228).
• Diuretic use improved blood pressure control in the positive CPT group (54.6% vs 42.6%).
• Heart failure incidence was higher in the positive CPT group (7.35% vs 5.01%) after 12 months.

Conclusions:

• Positive CPT responders in primary hypertension exhibit poorer blood pressure control and elevated heart failure risk.
• High-salt diet preference may contribute to positive CPT responses.
• Diuretics are effective in improving blood pressure control for patients with positive CPT responses.