Elevated nocturnal blood pressure assessed by ambulatory automatic monitoring during a stay at high altitude
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J C Barthélémy1, J R Lacour, F Roche
1Laboratoire de Physiologie, GIP-Exercise, Faculté de Médecine Jacques Lisfranc, Saint-Etienne, France.
Insights
High altitude exposure in children increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the night. This study monitored blood pressure in boys at sea level and high altitudes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Understanding how high altitude affects children's cardiovascular systems is crucial for their health.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the specific arterial blood pressure responses in children during prolonged high-altitude exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the arterial blood pressure changes in healthy children during a 3-week stay at high altitude (4200 m).
- To assess the impact of altitude on both nocturnal and diurnal blood pressure patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an auscultatory automatic ambulatory pressuremeter for objective blood pressure monitoring.
- Monitored 10 healthy boys (aged 10.5 years) at sea level, 2100 m, and 4200 m.
- Conducted 24-hour monitoring with measurements every 10 minutes at each altitude level.
Main Results:
- Nocturnal systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly increased with higher altitudes.
- Daytime blood pressure trends were also observed, though nocturnal changes were more pronounced.
- Ambulatory monitoring minimized environmental and medical influences on the data.
Conclusions:
- High altitude exposure independently elevates arterial blood pressure in healthy children, particularly during nighttime.
- These findings highlight the physiological impact of altitude on pediatric cardiovascular regulation.
- Further research is warranted to understand long-term implications and potential interventions.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to explore, in healthy children, the arterial blood pressure response to a 3-week stay at high altitude (4200 m). An auscultatory automatic ambulatory pressuremeter was used to avoid undue environmental influence on the measurement. The blood pressure was monitored three times in a group of ten boys, aged 10.5 (CI 0.9 years): at sea level (control values), at an altitude of 2100 m after at least 24 h of acclimatization and after at least 24 h at 4200 m altitude. Each period of monitoring extended over 24 h with 10-min intervals between successive measurements. Arterial blood pressure was evaluated separately for the night and day periods. Nocturnal recordings revealed an increase with altitude in systolic as well as in the diastolic blood pressure. Because of the technique used to gather data, this is thought to have represented an independent effect of altitude without interference from the medical environment or diurnal activity.