Association between Morning Surge and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obese Hypertensive Patients. / Relação da Ascensão Matinal da Pressão Arterial com a Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda em Hipertensos Obesos.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain can trigger mechanisms that increase blood pressure. Nevertheless, obesity causes structural changes in the myocardium, including increased ventricular mass, atrial dilatation, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Additionally, blood pressure variations, like morning surge (MS) in obese hypertensive patients may have clinical relevance in cardiovascular events. Although morning blood pressure surge is a physiological phenomenon, excess MS can be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate MS values and their association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and nocturnal dipping (ND) in obese and non-obese hypertensive patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study that evaluated BP measurements by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the presence of LVH by echocardiography in 203 hypertensive outpatients, divided into two groups: 109 non-obese and 94 obese hypertensives patients. The significance level was set at 0.05 in two-tailed tests. RESULTS: A MS above 20 mmHg by ABPM was detected in 59.2% of patients in the non-obese group and 40.6% in the obese group. LVH was found in 18.1% and 39.3% of patients in the non-obese and obese groups, respectively, p<0.001. In the "obese group", it was observed that a MS>16 mmHg was associated with LVH, [prevalence ratio: 2.80; 95%CI (1.12-6.98), p=0.03]. For the non-obese group, the cut-off point of MS for this association was >22 mmHg. CONCLUSION: High MS was positively associated with LVH, with a particular behavior in the hypertensive obese group.

Relação da Ascensão Matinal da Pressão Arterial com a Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda em Hipertensos Obesos / Association between Morning Surge and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obese Hypertensive Patients

Resumo Fundamento O aumento do peso frequentemente desencadeia mecanismos que elevam a pressão arterial. A obesidade causa mudanças estruturais no miocárdio, incluindo aumento da massa ventricular, dilatação atrial, bem como disfunções diastólicas e sistólicas. Além disso, variações pressóricas nos hipertensos obesos, como a ascensão matinal (AM), podem ter relevância clínica na prevenção dos eventos cardiovasculares. A AM da pressão arterial é um fenômeno fisiológico, que quando elevada pode ser considerada um fator de risco independente para eventos cardiovasculares. Objetivo Avaliar valores da elevação da AM e sua associação com a hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) e com o Descenso do Sono (DS) em obesos e não obesos hipertensos. Métodos Estudo transversal que avaliou medidas pressóricas à monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) e a presença de HVE, avaliada pela ecocardiografia, em 203 pacientes hipertensos em tratamento ambulatorial, separados em dois grupos: 109 não obesos e 94 hipertensos obesos. O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05 em testes bicaudais. Resultados A AM acima de 20 mmHg à MAPA foi detectada em 59,2% dos pacientes do grupo "não obesos" e em 40,6% no grupo "obesos". A HVE foi encontrada em 18,1% no grupo dos não-obesos e em 39,3% no grupo de obesos, p<0,001. No grupo "obesos" foi observado que AM >16 mmHg esteve associada à HVE, com [razão de prevalência: 2,80; IC95% (1,12-6,98), p=0,03]. Para o grupo dos "não obesos", o ponto de corte da AM para essa associação foi >22 mmHg. Conclusão A AM elevada associou-se positivamente com HVE, com comportamento peculiar na população de hipertensos e obesos.

Abstract Background Weight gain can trigger mechanisms that increase blood pressure. Nevertheless, obesity causes structural changes in the myocardium, including increased ventricular mass, atrial dilatation, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Additionally, blood pressure variations, like morning surge (MS) in obese hypertensive patients may have clinical relevance in cardiovascular events. Although morning blood pressure surge is a physiological phenomenon, excess MS can be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Objective To evaluate MS values and their association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and nocturnal dipping (ND) in obese and non-obese hypertensive patients. Methods A cross-sectional study that evaluated BP measurements by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the presence of LVH by echocardiography in 203 hypertensive outpatients, divided into two groups: 109 non-obese and 94 obese hypertensives patients. The significance level was set at 0.05 in two-tailed tests. Results A MS above 20 mmHg by ABPM was detected in 59.2% of patients in the non-obese group and 40.6% in the obese group. LVH was found in 18.1% and 39.3% of patients in the non-obese and obese groups, respectively, p<0.001. In the "obese group", it was observed that a MS>16 mmHg was associated with LVH, [prevalence ratio: 2.80; 95%CI (1.12-6.98), p=0.03]. For the non-obese group, the cut-off point of MS for this association was >22 mmHg. Conclusion High MS was positively associated with LVH, with a particular behavior in the hypertensive obese group.

Is there a need to redo many of the diagnoses of hypertension?

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Most hypertensive subjects undergoing treatment were diagnosed solely through measurements made in the consultation office. The objective of this study was to redo the diagnosis of treated patients after new clinical measurements and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient specialty clinic. METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension or undergoing anti-hypertensive treatment, without target organ damage or diabetes, were included. After drug withdrawal lasting 2-3 weeks, new blood pressure (BP) measurements were made during two separate visits. ABPM was performed blindly, in relation to clinical measurements. The BP thresholds used for diagnosing hypertension, white-coat hypertension, normotension and masked hypertension were: 140 (systolic) and 90 (diastolic) mmHg for office measurements and 135 (systolic) and 85 (diastolic) mmHg for mean awake ABPM (MAA). RESULTS: Evaluations were done on 101 subjects (70% women); mean age 51 ± 10 years. The clinical BP was 155 ± 18/97 ± 10 mmHg (first visit) and 150 ± 16/94 ± 11 mmHg (second visit); MAA was 137 ± 13/ 86 ± 10 mmHg. Sixty-four patients (63%) were confirmed as hypertensive, 28 (28%) as white-coat hypertensive, nine (9%) as normotensive and none as masked hypertensive. After ABPM, 37% of the presumed hypertensive patients did not fit into this category. CONCLUSION: This study showed that hypertension was overdiagnosed among hypertensive subjects undergoing treatment. New diagnostic procedures should be performed after drug withdrawal, with the aid of BP monitoring.

Is there a need to redo many of the diagnoses of hypertension? / Há a necessidade de refazer muitos dos diagnósticos de hipertensão?

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Most hypertensive subjects undergoing treatment were diagnosed solely through measurements made in the consultation office. The objective of this study was to redo the diagnosis of treated patients after new clinical measurements and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient specialty clinic. METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension or undergoing anti-hypertensive treatment, without target organ damage or diabetes, were included. After drug withdrawal lasting 2-3 weeks, new blood pressure (BP) measurements were made during two separate visits. ABPM was performed blindly, in relation to clinical measurements. The BP thresholds used for diagnosing hypertension, white-coat hypertension, normotension and masked hypertension were: 140 (systolic) and 90 (diastolic) mmHg for office measurements and 135 (systolic) and 85 (diastolic) mmHg for mean awake ABPM (MAA). RESULTS: Evaluations were done on 101 subjects (70% women); mean age 51 ± 10 years. The clinical BP was 155 ± 18/97 ± 10 mmHg (first visit) and 150 ± 16/94 ± 11 mmHg (second visit); MAA was 137 ± 13/ 86 ± 10 mmHg. Sixty-four patients (63%) were confirmed as hypertensive, 28 (28%) as white-coat hypertensive, nine (9%) as normotensive and none as masked hypertensive. After ABPM, 37% of the presumed hypertensive patients did not fit into this category. CONCLUSION: This study showed that hypertension was overdiagnosed among hypertensive subjects undergoing treatment. New diagnostic procedures should be performed after drug withdrawal, with the aid of BP monitoring.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A maioria dos hipertensos em tratamento teve seu diagnóstico feito somente com medidas no consultório. O objetivo deste estudo é refazer o diagnóstico em pacientes tratados após novas medidas clínicas e monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA). TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal realizado em clínica de especialidade. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes com hipertensão leve a moderada ou em tratamento anti-hipertensivo, sem lesões de órgão-alvo ou diabetes. Após suspensão do tratamento por duas a três semanas, novas medidas da pressão arterial (PA) foram feitas em duas visitas distintas. A MAPA foi feita às cegas em relação às medidas clínicas. Os limites pressóricos utilizados para o diagnóstico da hipertensão, hipertensão do avental branco, normotensão e hipertensão mascarada foram: 140 (sistólica) e 90 (diastólica) mmHg para as medidas de consultório e 135 (sistólica) e 85 (diastólica) mmHg para as médias de vigília da MAPA (MVM). RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 101 indivíduos (70% mulheres), idade 51 ± 10 anos. PA clínica: 155 ± 18/97 ± 10 mmHg (primeira visita) e 150 ± 16/94 ± 11 mmHg (segunda visita), MVM de 137 ± 13/86 ± 10 mmHg. Sessenta e quatro (63%) pacientes foram confirmados como hipertensos, 28 (28%) como portadores de hipertensão do "avental branco", 9 (9%) como normotensos e nenhum como tendo hipertensão mascarada. Após a MAPA, 37% de presumíveis hipertensos não se enquadravam como tal. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo revela um excesso de diagnósticos de hipertensão em hipertensos tratados. Novos procedimentos diagnósticos devem ser realizados após suspensão da medicação, com auxílio das monitorizações da PA.

Avaliação da hipertensão arterial resistente pela monitorização residencial da pressão arterial / Assessment of resistant hypertension with home blood pressure monitoring / Evaluación de la hipertensión arterial resistente por monitoreo residencial de la presión arterial

FUNDAMENTO: A monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) é considerada o padrão-ouro para a confirmação diagnóstica da hipertensão arterial resistente (HAR). No entanto, a monitorização residencial da pressão arterial (MRPA) tem sido considerada uma opção, pelo seu custo menor e maior conforto. OBJETIVO: Comparar os valores obtidos pela MRPA com os obtidos pela MAPA na identificação de pacientes hipertensos resistentes. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados consecutivamente 51 pacientes hipertensos resistentes, adultos de ambos os sexos, em tratamento ambulatorial de referência, de jan/2007 a set/2009. A medida da pressão arterial (PA) casual de consultório, MAPA de 24 horas e MRPA foram realizadas conforme as diretrizes vigentes, com intervalo máximo de duas semanas entre os métodos. RESULTADOS: Ao comparar a MAPA (média de vigília) e MRPA, foi obtida boa correlação entre ambas, tanto para a pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) quanto para a diastólica (PAD): PAS r = 0,70, IC = 0,51-0,82; PAD r = 0,69, IC = 0,52-0,81. A HAR foi confirmada pela MAPA em 33 pacientes e pela MRPA em 37 desses, não havendo diferença significante entre os dois métodos. CONCLUSÃO: De acordo com os resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a MRPA é um exame que pode ser utilizado como alternativa à MAPA para a confirmação diagnóstica da HAR.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is considered the gold standard for the diagnostic confirmation of resistant hypertension (RH). However, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) has been considered an option, because of its lower cost and greater comfort. OBJECTIVE: To compare the values obtained by HBPM with those obtained by ABPM in the identification of patients with resistant hypertension. METHODS: A total of 51 consecutive patients with resistant hypertension were selected. All were adults of both genders and were undergoing treatment in an outpatient referral clinic from January 2007 to September 2009. Casual office blood pressure (BP), 24-hour ABPM, and HBPM were performed according to current guidelines, with a maximum two-week interval between the methods. RESULTS: The comparison of ABPM (mean daytime) with HBPM showed a good correlation between them, both for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and for diastolic blood pressure (DBP): SBP r = 0.70, CI = 0.51-0.82, DBP r = 0.69, CI = 0.52-0.81. RH was confirmed by ABPM in 33 patients and by HBPM in 37, with no significant difference between the methods. CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, we conclude that HBPM is a method that can be used as an alternative to ABPM for the diagnostic confirmation of RH.

FUNDAMENTO: El monitoreo ambulatorio de la presión arterial (MAPA) es considerado el gold standard para la confirmación diagnóstica de la hipertensión arterial resistente (HAR). Mientras tanto, el monitoreo residencial de la presión arterial (MRPA) ha sido considerado una opción, por su costo menor y mayor confort. OBJETIVO: Comparar los valores obtenidos por la MRPA con los obtenidos por la MAPA en la identificación de pacientes hipertensos resistentes. MÉTODOS: Fueron seleccionados consecutivamente 51 pacientes hipertensos resistentes, adultos de ambos sexos, en tratamiento ambulatorio de referencia, de ene/2007-set/2009. La medida de la presión arterial (PA) casual de consultorio, MAPA de 24 horas y MRPA fueron realizadas según las directrices vigentes, con intervalo máximo de dos semanas entre los métodos. RESULTADOS: Al comparar la MAPA (media de vigilia) y MRPA, fue obtenida buena correlación entre ambas, tanto para la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) como para la diastólica (PAD): PAS r = 0,70, IC = 0,51-0,82; PAD r = 0,69, IC = 0,52-0,81. La HAR fue confirmada por la MAPA en 33 pacientes y por la MRPA en 37 de esos, no habiendo diferencia significativa entre los dos métodos. CONCLUSIÓN: De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, se concluye que la MRPA es un examen que puede ser utilizado como alternativa a la MAPA para la confirmación diagnóstica de la HAR.

[Assessment of resistant hypertension with home blood pressure monitoring]. / Avaliação da hipertensão arterial resistente pela monitorização residencial da pressão arterial.

BACKGROUND: ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is considered the gold standard for the diagnostic confirmation of resistant hypertension (RH). However, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) has been considered an option, because of its lower cost and greater comfort. OBJECTIVE: to compare the values obtained by HBPM with those obtained by ABPM in the identification of patients with resistant hypertension. METHODS: a total of 51 consecutive patients with resistant hypertension were selected. All were adults of both genders and were undergoing treatment in an outpatient referral clinic from January 2007 to September 2009. Casual office blood pressure (BP), 24-hour ABPM, and HBPM were performed according to current guidelines, with a maximum two-week interval between the methods. RESULTS: the comparison of ABPM (mean daytime) with HBPM showed a good correlation between them, both for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and for diastolic blood pressure (DBP): SBP r = 0.70, CI = 0.51-0.82, DBP r = 0.69, CI = 0.52-0.81. RH was confirmed by ABPM in 33 patients and by HBPM in 37, with no significant difference between the methods. CONCLUSION: according to the results obtained, we conclude that HBPM is a method that can be used as an alternative to ABPM for the diagnostic confirmation of RH.

Slow breathing test increases the suspicion of white-coat hypertension in the office.

BACKGROUND: It would be useful to have a clinical test that increases the suspicion of white coat hypertension (WCH) during the medical consultation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Slow Breathing Test (SBT) when differentiating hypertension from WCH. METHODS: 101 hypertensive patients selected at triage had their medication withdrawn for 2-3 weeks. The blood pressure (BP) was measured before and after the SBT at two consultations at the office. The test consisted in breathing for 1 minute at the frequency of one respiratory cycle every 10 seconds. Two diagnostic criteria were compared: 1--decrease in diastolic BP > or = 10% in at least one visit or 2--decrease in BP to normal levels (<140/90 mm Hg) in at least one visit. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed while blinded to the clinical measurements. RESULTS: 71 women and 30 men, with a mean age of 51+/-10 years, with mean pre and post-test BP of 152+/-17/ 99+/-11 and 140+/-18/ 91+/-11 mm Hg were assessed. Nine patients had normal clinical and ambulatory measurements. Of the 92 patients, 28 (30%) were classified as having WCH; 15 had a positive test for Criterion 1 and 21 for the Criterion 2. Among 64 (70%) hypertensive individuals, 14 tested positive for Criterion 1 and 12 for Criterion 2. Sensitivity and specificity (95% CI): 0.54 (0.36-0.71) and 0.78 (0.67-0.87) for Criterion 1; 0.75 (0.57-0.87) and 0.81 (0.70-0.89) for Criterion 2. CONCLUSION: The SBT showed an increase in the clinical suspicion of WCH in two visits when using the BP normalization criterion. This finding suggests that the test can help in the optimization of ABPM requests for suspected cases.

Teste de respiração lenta aumenta a suspeita da hipertensão do avental branco no consultório / Slow breathing test increases the suspicion of white-coat hypertension in the office

FUNDAMENTO: Seria útil dispor de um teste clínico que aumentasse a suspeita da hipertensão do avental branco (HAB) durante a consulta. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o teste de respiração lenta (TRL) na diferenciação entre hipertensão e HAB. MÉTODOS: Cento e um pacientes hipertensos selecionados em triagem tiveram a medicação suspensa por duas a três semanas. A pressão arterial (PA) foi medida antes e depois do TRL em duas visitas. O teste consistiu em respirar por 1 minuto na freqüência de um ciclo respiratório a cada 10 segundos. Dois critérios diagnósticos foram comparados: 1- queda da PA diastólica >10 por cento em pelo menos uma consulta, ou 2- queda da PA para níveis normais (<140/90 mmHg) em pelo menos uma consulta. A MAPA foi realizada de forma cega às medidas clínicas. RESULTADOS: Setenta e uma mulheres e 30 homens, idade média 51+10 anos, média pré e pós-teste de 152+17/ 99+11 e 140+18/ 91+11 mmHg. Nove pacientes tiveram medidas clínicas e ambulatoriais normais. De 92 pacientes, 28 (30 por cento) foram classificados como HAB; 15 tiveram teste positivo para o critério 1, e 21 para o critério 2. Entre 64 (70 por cento) hipertensos, 14 testaram positivo para o critério 1, e 12 para o critério 2. Sensibilidade e especificidade (95 por cento IC): 0,54 (0,36-0,71) e 0,78 (0,67-0,87) critério 1; 0,75 (0,57-0,87) e 0,81 (0,70-0,89) critério 2. CONCLUSÃO: O TRL mostrou aumento da suspeita clínica de HAB em duas consultas ao utilizar o critério de normalização da PA. Isso sugere que esse teste pode auxiliar na otimização dos pedidos de MAPA para casos suspeitos.

BACKGROUND: It would be useful to have a clinical test that increases the suspicion of white coat hypertension (WCH) during the medical consultation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Slow Breathing Test (SBT) when differentiating hypertension from WCH. METHODS: 101 hypertensive patients selected at triage had their medication withdrawn for 2-3 weeks. The blood pressure (BP) was measured before and after the SBT at two consultations at the office. The test consisted in breathing for 1 minute at the frequency of one respiratory cycle every 10 seconds. Two diagnostic criteria were compared: 1 - decrease in diastolic BP >10 percent in at least one visit or 2- decrease in BP to normal levels (<140/90 mm Hg) in at least one visit. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed while blinded to the clinical measurements. RESULTS: 71 women and 30 men, with a mean age of 51+10 years, with mean pre and post-test BP of 152+17/ 99+11 and 140+18/ 91+11 mm Hg were assessed. Nine patients had normal clinical and ambulatory measurements. Of the 92 patients, 28 (30 percent) were classified as having WCH; 15 had a positive test for Criterion 1 and 21 for the Criterion 2. Among 64 (70 percent) hypertensive individuals, 14 tested positive for Criterion 1 and 12 for Criterion 2. Sensitivity and specificity (95 percent CI): 0.54 (0.36-0.71) and 0.78 (0.67-0.87) for Criterion 1; 0.75 (0.57-0.87) and 0.81 (0.70-0.89) for Criterion 2. CONCLUSION: The SBT showed an increase in the clinical suspicion of WCH in two visits when using the BP normalization criterion. This finding suggests that the test can help in the optimization of ABPM requests for suspected cases.