Assessment of release factors of b-type natriuretic peptide during the exercise test in patients with diabetes and after myocardial infarction with preserved left ventricular systolic function.

INTRODUCTION: The increased concentration of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an expression of overload of the heart, regardless of the cause. Exercise test is a helpful method of assessing the exercise tolerance and myocardial ischemia. THE AIM: The aim of the study is to determine the factors that cause the release of BNP during the exercise test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 99 patients with diabetes and after myocardial infarction with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF≥40%). Before performing the exercise test (ExT) echocardiography was performed and blood sample was taken to determine BNP. Immediately after the exercise test another blood sample was taken to determine BNP. RESULTS: In 22 patients (22%) an increase in BNP ≥35pg/ml after the exercise test was observed. In patients with EF.

Blood pressure load in adults with treated hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To assess blood pressure (BP) load in a population of treated hypertensive patients. METHODS: The study group consisted of 137 hypertensive adults, including 75 (54.75%) men and 62 (45.25%) women, with either formerly or newly diagnosed hypertension based on office BP measurements. The median age in the whole study group was 52 years (47 and 56 years among men and women, respectively). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27 ± 4 kg/m², and median duration of hypertension was 3 years. We divided the study group into subgroups depending on age, gender, BMI, and duration of hypertension. All patients underwent single 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. We calculated 24-h, daytime and nighttime BP loads separately for systolic and diastolic BP. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS 15.0 environment. RESULTS: Men were significantly younger than women (48.17 vs. 55.48 years, p < 0.02). Mean BMI was higher in men than women (28 vs. 26 kg/m², p < 0.044). There were no differences in the mean values of BP load depending on gender, BMI and, duration of hypertension (p = NS). Twenty-four hour and daytime diastolic BP load was higher in patients aged 41-65 years than in patients above 65 years (32.4 vs. 20.8%, p < 0.04; and 29.6 vs. 17.5%, p < 0.03). A negative correlation was found between daytime diastolic BP load and age (r = -0.19, p < 0.026) and a positive correlation was found between night time systolic BP load and age (r = 0.24, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There was no relationship between BP load and gender, BMI, and duration of hypertension. Diastolic BP load was age-related. Middle-aged patients were characterised by significantly higher values of 24-h and daytime diastolic BP load than the elderly patients.