B038: Essential hypertension and arterial wall stiffness

• Published in: American journal of hypertension 2000-04, Vol.13 (S2), p.200A-201A
• Main Authors: Ceballos-Atienza, R., Gil-Extremera, B., Hoyo Rodríguez, F.J., Sánchez Muñoz, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225; 1879-1905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0895-7061(00)00699-3

Objectives: The pulse wave reflects the dynamics of the vessel wall. We studied the influence of essential hypertension on arterial wall stiffness. Method: In 20 subjects with untreated essential hypertension (EH) and 30 normotensive (NH) control matched for age and sex and distensibility coefficients (DC) of right carotid arteries (CA) and the right femoral artery (FA), were measured ultrasonographically system. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with a OMRON 705 system. A subject was considered as hypertensive when on three separate occasions in five minutes each one BP exceded 160/90mm Hg. Results: Sex distribution was similar in both groups; mean age was 41.3 ± 10.1 years old in the group of EH and in the group of N controls 42.2 ± 9.7 years. There was a significant difference in BP (EH: 166 ± 17.7 and 108 ± 13 mm Hg vs 131 ± 16.5 mm Hg and 80 ± 5.5 mm Hg; p < 0.0001). Also a samll but significant difference in LDL-cholesterol (5.3 ± 0.9 mmol/l vs 4.8 ± 1.0 mmol/l; p < 0.05) was found. The DC is significant in right CA and FA (EH: 13.5 ± 6.0 and 7.0 ± 2.5 vs 21.1 ± 5.8 and 10.6 ± 3.3 respectly; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The diameters of both elastic CA were increased in EH, while no differences were seen in the muscular FA. DC of all investigated arteries were decreased in EH, which means stiffning of the arteries. The samll but significant difference in LDL-cholesterol level may have influenced our results.