Existence of an Endogenous Circadian Blood Pressure Rhythm in Humans That Peaks in the Evening

RATIONALE:Blood pressure (BP) usually decreases during nocturnal sleep and increases during daytime activities. Whether the endogenous circadian control system contributes to this daily BP variation has not been determined under appropriately controlled conditions. OBJECTIVE:To determine whether the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Circulation research 2011-04, Vol.108 (8), p.980-984
Main Authors: Shea, Steven A, Hilton, Michael F, Hu, Kun, Scheer, Frank A.J.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Blood Pressure - physiology
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory - methods
Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology
Circadian Rhythm - physiology
Female
Humans
Male
Time Factors
Young Adult
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Summary:RATIONALE:Blood pressure (BP) usually decreases during nocturnal sleep and increases during daytime activities. Whether the endogenous circadian control system contributes to this daily BP variation has not been determined under appropriately controlled conditions. OBJECTIVE:To determine whether there exists an endogenous circadian rhythm of BP in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS:In 28 normotensive adults (16 men), we assessed BP across 3 complementary, multiday, in-laboratory protocols performed in dim light, throughout which behavioral and environmental influences were controlled and/or uniformly distributed across the circadian cycle via(1) a 38-hour “constant routine,” including continuous wakefulness; (2) a 196-hour “forced desynchrony” with 7 recurring 28-hour sleep/wake cycles; and (3) a 240-hour forced desynchrony with 12 recurring 20-hour sleep/wake cycles. Circadian phases were derived from core body temperature. Each protocol revealed significant circadian rhythms in systolic and diastolic BP, with almost identical rhythm profiles among protocols. The peak-to-trough amplitudes were 3 to 6 mm Hg for systolic BP and 2 to 3 mm Hg for diastolic BP (always P
ISSN:0009-7330
1524-4571
DOI:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.110.233668