Blood pressure variability and cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

Blood Pressure Variability Indices for Outcome Prediction After Thrombectomy in Stroke by Using High-Resolution Data

Background

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with outcome after endovascular thrombectomy in acute large vessel occlusion stroke. We aimed to provide the optimal sampling frequency and BPV index for outcome prediction by using high-resolution blood pressure (BP) data.

Methods

Patient characteristics, 3-month outcome, and BP values measured intraarterially at 1 Hz for up to 24 h were extracted from 34 patients treated at a tertiary care center neurocritical care unit. Outcome was dichotomized (modified Rankin Scale 0–2, favorable, and 3–6, unfavorable) and associated with systolic BPV (as calculated by using standard deviation, coefficient of variation, averaged real variability, successive variation, number of trend changes, and a spectral approach using the power of specific BP frequencies). BP values were downsampled by either averaging or omitting all BP values within each prespecified time bin to compare the different sampling rates.

Results

Out of 34 patients (age 72 ± 12.7 years, 67.6% men), 10 (29.4%) achieved a favorable functional outcome and 24 (70.6%) had an unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months. No group differences were found in mean absolute systolic BP (SBP) (130 ± 18 mm Hg, p = 0.82) and diastolic BP (DBP) (59 ± 10 mm Hg, p = 1.00) during the monitoring time. BPV only reached predictive significance when using successive variation extracted from downsampled (averaged over 5 min) SBP data (median 4.8 mm Hg [range 3.8–7.1]) in patients with favorable versus 7.1 mmHg [range 5.5–9.7] in those with unfavorable outcome, area under the curve = 0.74 [confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.85; p = 0.031], or the power of midrange frequencies between 1/20 and 1/5 min [area under the curve = 0.75 (CI 0.59–0.86), p = 0.020].

Conclusions

Using high-resolution BP data of 1 Hz, downsampling by averaging all BP values within 5-min intervals is essential to find relevant differences in systolic BPV, as noise can be avoided (confirmed by the significance of the power of midrange frequencies). These results demonstrate how high-resolution BP data can be processed for effective outcome prediction.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12028-022-01519-x.

Obstruktive Schlafapnoe und arterielle Hypertonie

Hintergrund

In Deutschland leiden rund 19 Mio. Patienten an einer diagnostizierten arteriellen Hypertonie (aHT). Die Schnittmenge zwischen Menschen mit aHT und obstruktiver Schlafapnoe (OSA) ist groß. Aufwachreaktionen und Hypoxämie im Rahmen einer OSA können zu einem gesteigerten Sympathikotonus und endothelialer Dysfunktion und somit zu aHT führen.

Fragestellung

Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel soll die Zusammenhänge zwischen OSA und aHT sowie Behandlungsmöglichkeiten darstellen.

Materialien und Methoden

Es erfolgte eine Literaturrecherche von Original- und Übersichtsartikeln, die bis 2021 in der PubMed-Datenbank veröffentlicht wurden.

Ergebnisse

Obstruktive Schlafapnoe kann sowohl die Entstehung als auch die Verschlechterung einer aHT verursachen. Betroffene profitieren von einer CPAP-Behandlung mit einer durchschnittlichen Senkung des systolischen Blutdrucks um −4,4 mm Hg sowie des diastolischen Blutdrucks um −2,9 mm Hg. Prädiktoren für eine Reduktion des Blutdrucks unter kontinuierlicher Positivdrucktherapie (CPAP) sind junges Alter, therapieresistente aHT, schwere OSA-bedingte Sauerstoffentsättigungen und ein „Non-Dipping-Blutdruckmuster“.

Schlussfolgerung

Die adäquate Behandlung einer aHT fordert häufig einen multimodalen Ansatz. Neben einer medikamentösen antihypertensiven Therapie und einer Modifikation des Lebensstils sollte auch die Diagnose und gegebenenfalls die Behandlung einer OSA berücksichtigt werden.

Estimating cardiovascular health gains from eradicating indoor cold in Australia

BACKGROUND

Exposure to cold indoor temperature (< 18 degrees Celsius) increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and has been identified by the WHO as a source of unhealthy housing. While warming homes has the potential to reduce CVD risk, the reduction in disease burden is not known. We simulated the population health gains from reduced CVD burden if the temperature in all Australian cold homes was permanently raised from their assumed average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius.

METHODS

The health effect of eradicating cold housing through reductions in CVD was simulated using proportional multistate lifetable model. The model sourced CVD burden and epidemiological data from Australian and Global Burden of Disease studies. The prevalence of cold housing in Australia was estimated from the Australian Housing Conditions Survey. The effect of cold indoor temperature on blood pressure (and in turn stroke and coronary heart disease) was estimated from published research.

RESULTS

Eradication of exposure to indoor cold could achieve a gain of undiscounted one and a half weeks of additional health life per person alive in 2016 (base-year) in cold housing through CVD alone. This equates to 0.447 (uncertainty interval: 0.064, 1.34; 3% discount rate) HALYs per 1,000 persons over remainder of their lives through CVD reduction. Eight percent of the total health gains are achievable between 2016 and 2035. Although seemingly modest, the gains outperform currently recommended CVD interventions including persistent dietary advice for adults 5-9% 5 yr CVD risk (0.017 per 1000 people, UI: 0.01, 0.027) and persistent lifestyle program for adults 5-9% 5 yr CVD risk (0.024, UI: 0.01, 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular health gains alone achievable through eradication of cold housing are comparable with real-life lifestyle and dietary interventions. The potential health gains are even greater given cold housing eradication will also improve respiratory and mental health in addition to cardiovascular disease.

2022 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology and the Taiwan Hypertension Society for the Management of Hypertension

Hypertension is the most important modifiable cause of cardiovascular (CV) disease and all-cause mortality worldwide. Despite the positive correlations between blood pressure (BP) levels and later CV events since BP levels as low as 100/60 mmHg have been reported in numerous epidemiological studies, the diagnostic criteria of hypertension and BP thresholds and targets of antihypertensive therapy have largely remained at the level of 140/90 mmHg in the past 30 years. The publication of both the SPRINT and STEP trials (comprising > 8,500 Caucasian/African and Chinese participants, respectively) provided evidence to shake this 140/90 mmHg dogma. Another dogma regarding hypertension management is the dependence on office (or clinic) BP measurements. Although standardized office BP measurements have been widely recommended and adopted in large-scale CV outcome trials, the practice of office BP measurements has never been ideal in real-world practice. Home BP monitoring (HBPM) is easy to perform, more likely to be free of environmental and/or emotional stress, feasible to document long-term BP variations, of good reproducibility and reliability, and more correlated with hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) and CV events, compared to routine office BP measurements. In the 2022 Taiwan Hypertension Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and the Taiwan Hypertension Society (THS), we break these two dogmas by recommending the definition of hypertension as ≥ 130/80 mmHg and a universal BP target of < 130/80 mmHg, based on standardized HBPM obtained according to the 722 protocol. The 722 protocol refers to duplicate BP readings taken per occasion ("2"), twice daily ("2"), over seven consecutive days ("7"). To facilitate implementation of the guidelines, a series of flowcharts encompassing assessment, adjustment, and HBPM-guided hypertension management are provided. Other key messages include that: 1) lifestyle modification, summarized as the mnemonic S-ABCDE, should be applied to people with elevated BP and hypertensive patients to reduce life-time BP burden; 2) all 5 major antihypertensive drugs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [A], angiotensin receptor blockers [A], β-blockers [B], calcium-channel blockers [C], and thiazide diuretics [D]) are recommended as first-line antihypertensive drugs; 3) initial combination therapy, preferably in a single-pill combination, is recommended for patients with BP ≥ 20/10 mmHg above targets; 4) a target hierarchy (HBPM-HMOD- ambulatory BP monitoring [ABPM]) should be considered to optimize hypertension management, which indicates reaching the HBPM target first and then keeping HMOD stable or regressed, otherwise ABPM can be arranged to guide treatment adjustment; and 5) renal denervation can be considered as an alternative BP-lowering strategy after careful clinical and imaging evaluation.

Assessment of Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability in Adults With Optimal Blood Pressure: A New Player in the Evaluation of Residual Cardiovascular Risk?

Background

There is a paucity of evidence regarding the association between visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability and residual cardiovascular risk. We aimed to provide relevant evidence by determining whether high systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability in the optimal SBP levels still influences the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results

We studied 7065 participants (aged 59.3±5.6 years; 44.3% men; and 82.9% White) in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study with optimal SBP levels from visit 1 to visit 3. Visit‐to‐visit SBP variability was measured by variability independent of the mean in the primary analysis. The primary outcome was the major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), defined as the first occurrence of all‐cause mortality, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. During a median follow‐up of 19.6 years, 2691 participants developed MACEs. After multivariable adjustment, the MACE risk was higher by 21% in participants with the highest SBP variability (variability independent of the mean quartile 4) compared with the lowest SBP variability participants (variability independent of the mean quartile 1) (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09–1.35). The restricted cubic spline showed that the hazard ratio for MACE was relatively linear, with a higher variability independent of the mean being associated with higher risk. These association were also found in the stratified analyses of participants with or without hypertension.

Conclusions

In adults with optimal SBP levels, higher visit‐to‐visit SBP variability was significantly associated with a higher risk of MACE regardless of whether they had hypertension. Therefore, it may be necessary to further focus on the visit‐to‐visit SBP variability even at the guideline‐recommended optimal blood pressure levels.

Blood pressure and its variability: classic and novel measurement techniques

Current hypertension guidelines recommend using the average values of several blood pressure (BP) readings obtained both in and out of the office for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. In-office BP measurement using an upper-arm cuff constitutes the evidence-based reference method for current BP classification and treatment targets. However, out-of-office BP evaluation using 24 h ambulatory or home BP monitoring is recommended by all major medical associations for obtaining further insights into the BP profile of an individual and how it relates to their daily activities. Importantly, the highly variable nature of office and out-of-office BP readings has been widely acknowledged, including the association of BP variability with cardiovascular outcomes. However, to date, the implications of BP variability on cardiovascular outcomes have largely been ignored, with limited application in clinical practice. Novel cuffless wearable technologies might provide a detailed assessment of the 24 h BP profile and behaviour over weeks or months. These devices offer many advantages for researchers and patients compared with traditional BP monitors, but their accuracy and utility remain uncertain. In this Review, we outline and compare conventional and novel methods and techniques for assessing average BP levels and BP variability, and reflect on the utility and potential of these methods for improving the treatment and management of patients with hypertension.

The most commonly available blood pressure (BP) monitoring devices are useful for capturing a snapshot BP value, but most have limited utility in measuring BP variability. In this Review, Schutte and colleagues outline the advantages and disadvantages of conventional and novel techniques to measure average BP levels and BP variability.

Although the dynamic nature of blood pressure (BP) is well-known, hypertension guidelines recommend using the average values of static BP readings (office or out-of-office), specifically aiming to level the fluctuations and peaks in BP readings.

All current BP measurement methods have imperfect reproducibility owing to the continuous fluctuation in BP readings, making it difficult to accurately diagnose hypertension.

Accumulating evidence from clinical trials, large registries and meta-analyses shows that increased BP variability predicts cardiovascular outcome, independently of the average BP values.

To date, BP variability is overlooked, with limited application in clinical practice, probably owing to a variety of complex non-standardized BP variability assessment methods and indices, and uncertain thresholds and clinical usefulness.

Novel cuffless wearable BP technologies can provide very large numbers of readings for days and months without the discomfort of traditional BP monitoring devices, and have the potential to replace current BP methods, once accuracy issues are resolved and their clinical usefulness is proved.

Very short-term beat-by-beat blood pressure variability in the supine position at rest correlates well with the nocturnal blood pressure variability assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is an important indicator in risk stratification for hypertension. Among the daily BPVs assessed using a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitor nocturnal systolic BPV has been suggested to predict cardiovascular risks. We hypothesized that very short-term BPV at rest would correlate with nocturnal BPV because of the shared autonomic BP regulatory system under no daily exertion. Thirty untreated normotensive and hypertensive adults underwent 30-min continuous beat-by-beat BP recordings in the supine position, followed by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The relationship between very short-term BPV (standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV)) and daytime and nocturnal BPV (SD, CV, average real variability (ARV), and standardized ARV (CV-ARV)) was assessed with Pearson's correlation coefficients. Very short-term BPV correlated significantly with nocturnal BPV (ARV, r = 0.604, p < 0.001) but not with daytime BPV. These trends were more pronounced with the increasing data length of continuous beat-by-beat BP recording. Using a data segment from the last 10 min of a 30-min continuous beat-by-beat BP recording resulted in a stronger correlation between very short-term BPV and nocturnal BPV than using earlier segments. The findings of this study suggest that very short-term BPV in the supine position at rest may predict nocturnal BPV. Since the burden of ABPM for patients has hindered clinical dissemination, very short-term BPV has the potential to develop a novel index of BPV.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-Style Dietary Pattern and 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Elderly Chinese with or without Hypertension

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern is associated with other blood pressure (BP) variables, beyond mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to study the associations between the DASH dietary pattern and daytime and nighttime mean BPs and BP variance independent of the mean (VIM).

METHODS

A sample of 324 Chinese adults aged ≥ 60 y who were not on BP-lowering medications were included in the analysis. The DASH score was calculated using data collected by a validated FFQ. The 24-h ambulatory BP was measured and the mean and VIM SBP and DBP were calculated for both the daytime (06:00-21:59) and nighttime periods (22:00-05:59). Multivariable linear models were constructed to assess associations between the DASH dietary pattern and daytime and nighttime BP outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, BMI, and hypertension (clinic SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg), and sleep parameters (only for nighttime BP outcomes). An interaction term between DASH score and hypertension status was added to explore the potential differential association in normotensive and hypertensive individuals.

RESULTS

Every 1-unit increase in the DASH score was associated with a 0.18-unit (95% CI: -0.34, -0.01 unit) and a 0.22-unit (95% CI: -0.36, -0.09 unit) decrease in nighttime VIM SBP and nighttime VIM DBP, respectively. DASH score was not associated with any daytime BP outcomes, nighttime mean SBP, or nighttime mean DBP. A significant interaction (DASH score × hypertension status) was detected for VIM SBP (P-interaction = 0.04), indicating a differential association between DASH score and nighttime VIM SBP by hypertension status.

CONCLUSIONS

Independently of sleep parameters and other factors, the DASH dietary pattern is associated with lower nighttime BP variability in elderly adults.

New Insights Into Cerebrovascular Pathophysiology and Hypertension

Despite advances in acute management and prevention of cerebrovascular disease, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment together remain the world's leading cause of death and neurological disability. Hypertension and its consequences are associated with over 50% of ischemic and 70% of hemorrhagic strokes but despite good control of blood pressure (BP), there remains a 10% risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events, and there is no proven strategy to prevent vascular cognitive impairment. Hypertension evolves over the lifespan, from predominant sympathetically driven hypertension with elevated mean BP in early and mid-life to a late-life phenotype of increasing systolic and falling diastolic pressures, associated with increased arterial stiffness and aortic pulsatility. This pattern may partially explain both the increasing incidence of stroke in younger adults as well as late-onset, chronic cerebrovascular injury associated with concurrent systolic hypertension and historic mid-life diastolic hypertension. With increasing arterial stiffness and autonomic dysfunction, BP variability increases, independently predicting the risk of ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhage, and is potentially modifiable beyond control of mean BP. However, the interaction between hypertension and control of cerebral blood flow remains poorly understood. Cerebral small vessel disease is associated with increased pulsatility in large cerebral vessels and reduced reactivity to carbon dioxide, both of which are being targeted in early phase clinical trials. Cerebral arterial pulsatility is mainly dependent upon increased transmission of aortic pulsatility via stiff vessels to the brain, while cerebrovascular reactivity reflects endothelial dysfunction. In contrast, although cerebral autoregulation is critical to adapt cerebral tone to BP fluctuations to maintain cerebral blood flow, its role as a modifiable risk factor for cerebrovascular disease is uncertain. New insights into hypertension-associated cerebrovascular pathophysiology may provide key targets to prevent chronic cerebrovascular disease, acute events, and vascular cognitive impairment.

High dietary salt intake increases urinary NGAL excretion and creatinine clearance in healthy young adults

In rodents and older patients with elevated blood pressure (BP), high dietary sodium increases excretion of biomarkers of kidney injury, but it is unclear whether this effect occurs in healthy young adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether short-term high dietary salt increases urinary excretion of the kidney injury biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in healthy young adults. Twenty participants participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study. For 10 days each, participants were asked to consume salt (3,900 mg sodium) or placebo capsules. We measured BP during each visit, obtained 24-h urine samples for measurements of electrolytes, NGAL, and KIM-1, and assessed creatinine clearance. Compared with placebo, salt loading increased daily urinary sodium excretion (placebo: 130.3 ± 62.4 mmol/24 h vs. salt: 287.2 ± 72.0 mmol/24 h, P < 0.01). There was no difference in mean arterial BP (placebo: 77 ± 7 mmHg vs. salt: 77 ± 6 mmHg, P = 0.83) between conditions. However, salt loading increased the urinary NGAL excretion rate (placebo: 59.8 ± 44.4 ng/min vs. salt: 80.8 ± 49.5 ng/min, P < 0.01) and increased creatinine clearance (placebo: 110.5 ± 32.9 mL/min vs. salt: 145.0 ± 24.9 mL/min, P < 0.01). Urinary KIM-1 excretion was not different between conditions. In conclusion, in healthy young adults 10 days of dietary salt loading increased creatinine clearance and increased urinary excretion of the kidney injury biomarker marker NGAL but not KIM-1.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In healthy young adults, 10 days of dietary salt loading increased creatinine clearance and increased urinary excretion of the kidney injury biomarker marker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin despite no change in resting blood pressure.

Association between mental illness and blood pressure variability: a systematic review

Background

Mental illness represents a major global burden of disease worldwide. It has been hypothesised that individuals with mental illness have greater blood pressure fluctuations that lead to increased cardiovascular risk and target organ damage. This systematic review aims to (i) investigate the association between mental illness and blood pressure variability (BPV) and (ii) describe methods of BPV measurements and analysis which may affect pattern and degree of variability.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched from inception until 2020. The quality assessment was performed using STROBE criteria. Studies were included if they investigated BPV (including either frequency or time domain analysis) in individuals with mental illness (particularly anxiety/generalised anxiety disorder, depression/major depressive disorder, panic disorder and hostility) and without hypertension. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. A third author resolved any disagreements.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Three studies measured short-term BPV, two measured long-term BPV and seven measured ultra-short-term BPV. All studies related to short-term BPV using ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring found a higher BPV in individuals with depression or panic disorder. The two studies measuring long-term BPV were limited to the older population and found mixed results. Mental illness is significantly associated with an increased BPV in younger and middle-aged adults. All studies of ultra-short-term BPV using standard cardiac autonomic assessment; non-invasive continuous finger blood pressure and heart rate signals found significant association between BPV and mental illness. A mixed result related to degree of tilt during tilt assessment and between controlled and spontaneous breathing were observed in patients with psychological state.

Conclusions

Current review found that people with mental illness is significantly associated with an increased BPV regardless of age. Since mental illness can contribute to the deterioration of autonomic function (HRV, BPV), early therapeutic intervention in mental illness may prevent diseases associated with autonomic dysregulation and reduce the likelihood of negative cardiac outcomes. Therefore, these findings may have important implications for patients' future physical health and well-being, highlighting the need for comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction.

Long-Term Secondary Prevention: Management of Blood Pressure After a Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke

Reducing blood pressure (BP) is a highly effective strategy for long-term stroke prevention. Despite overwhelmingly clear evidence from randomized trials that antihypertensive therapy substantially reduces the risk of stroke in primary prevention, uncertainty still surrounds the issue of BP lowering after cerebrovascular events, and the risk of recurrent stroke, coronary events, and vascular death remains significant. Important questions in a secondary prevention setting include should everyone be treated regardless of their poststroke BP, how soon after a stroke should BP-lowering treatment be commenced, how intensively should BP be lowered, what drugs are best, and how should long-term BP control be optimized and monitored. We review the evidence on BP control after a transient ischemic attack or stroke to address these unanswered questions and draw attention to some recent developments that hold promise to improve management of BP in current practice.

The Effect of Blood Pressure Variability on Coronary Atherosclerosis Plaques

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). The regulation of blood pressure plays a significant role in the development and prognosis of CHD. Blood pressure variability (BPV) refers to the degree of fluctuation of blood pressure over a period of time and is an important indicator of blood pressure stability. Blood pressure fluctuations are complex physiological phenomena, being affected by physiological and pharmacological effects and regulated by behavioral, environmental, hydrodynamic, and neural factors. According to the different time periods for measuring BPV, it can be divided into very short-term, short-term, mid-term, and long-term. Multiple cardiovascular disease animal models and clinical experiments have consistently indicated that abnormal BPV is closely related to coronary events and is a risk factor for CHD independently of average blood pressure. Thrombosis secondary to plaque rupture (PR) or plaque erosion can cause varying blood flow impairment, which is the main pathological basis of CHD. Plaque morphology and composition can influence the clinical outcome, treatment, and prognosis of patients with CHD. Research has shown that PR is more easily induced by hypertension. After adjusting for the traditional factors associated with plaque development, in recent years, some new discoveries have been made on the influence of abnormal BPV on the morphology and composition of coronary plaques and related mechanisms, including inflammation and hemodynamics. This article reviews the impact of BPV on coronary plaques and their related mechanisms, with a view to prevent the occurrence and development of CHD by controlling BPV and to provide new prevention and treatment strategies for the clinical treatment of abnormal blood pressure.

Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background Survivors of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), in the form of recurrent stroke and myocardial Infarction. We investigated whether long-term blood pressure (BP) variability represents a risk factor for MACCE after ICH, independent of average BP. Methods and Results We analyzed data from prospective ICH cohort studies at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Hong Kong. We captured long-term (ie, visit-to-visit) BP variability, quantified as individual participants' variation coefficient. We explored determinants of systolic and diastolic BP variability and generated survival analyses models to explore their association with MACCE. Among 1828 survivors of ICH followed for a median of 46.2 months we identified 166 with recurrent ICH, 68 with ischemic strokes, and 69 with myocardial infarction. Black (coefficient +3.8, SE 1.3) and Asian (coefficient +2.2, SE 0.4) participants displayed higher BP variability. Long-term systolic BP variability was independently associated with recurrent ICH (subhazard ratio [SHR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.19-2.79), ischemic stroke (SHR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.06-2.47), and myocardial infarction (SHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.05-2.24). Average BP during follow-up did not modify the association between long-term systolic BP variability and MACCE. Conclusions Long-term BP variability is a potent risk factor for recurrent hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction after ICH, even among survivors with well-controlled hypertension. Our findings support the hypothesis that combined control of average BP and its variability after ICH is required to minimize incidence of MACCE.

Canagliflozin Prevents Lipid Accumulation, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Mice With Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, as oral medications for T2DM treatment have shown the potential to improve vascular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of canagliflozin (Cana) to relieve CVD in T2DM mice and its possible action mechanism. Mice with diabetic CVD was conducted by a high-fat diet for 24 weeks, followed by oral gavaging with metformin (200 mg/kg/day) or Cana (50 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks. The result demonstrated that Cana reduced serum lipid accumulation, and decreased the arteriosclerosis index and atherogenic index of plasma. In addition, Cana treatment reduced the circulating markers of inflammation. More importantly, Cana improved cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis and relieved oxidative stress. Moreover, Cana treatment alleviated the myocardial injury with decreasing levels of serous soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand and cardiac troponin I. Thus, cardiovascular abnormality was relieved by suppressing fibrosis and basement membrane thickening, while elevating the cluster of differentiation 31 expression level. Importantly, Cana increased the ratio of gut bacteria Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and the relative abundance of Alistipes, Olsenella, and Alloprevotella, while it decreased the abundance of Mucispirillum, Helicobacter, and Proteobacteria at various taxonomic levels in mice with diabetic CVD. In short, Cana treatment altered the colonic microbiota composition close to the normal level, which was related with blood lipid, inflammation, and oxidative stress, and might play a vital role in CVD. In general, the improvements in the gut microbiota and myocardial mitochondrial homeostasis may represent the mechanism of Cana on CVD treatment.

Multi-Omics Integration in a Twin Cohort and Predictive Modeling of Blood Pressure Values

Abnormal blood pressure is strongly associated with risk of high-prevalence diseases, making the study of blood pressure a major public health challenge. Although biological mechanisms underlying hypertension at the single omic level have been discovered, multi-omics integrative analyses using continuous variations in blood pressure values remain limited. We used a multi-omics regression-based method, called sparse multi-block partial least square, for integrative, explanatory, and predictive interests in study of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Various datasets were obtained from the Finnish Twin Cohort for up to 444 twins. Blocks of omics-including transcriptomic, methylation, metabolomic-data as well as polygenic risk scores and clinical data were integrated into the modeling and supported by cross-validation. The predictive contribution of each omics block when predicting blood pressure values was investigated using external participants from the Young Finns Study. In addition to revealing interesting inter-omics associations, we found that each block of omics heterogeneously improved the predictions of blood pressure values once the multi-omics data were integrated. The modeling revealed a plurality of clinical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic factors consistent with the literature and that play a leading role in explaining unit variations in blood pressure. These findings demonstrate (1) the robustness of our integrative method to harness results obtained by single omics discriminant analyses, and (2) the added value of predictive and exploratory gains of a multi-omics approach in studies of complex phenotypes such as blood pressure.

Analysis of blood pressure and blood pressure variability pattern among older patients in long-term care hospitals: an observational study analysing the Health-RESPECT (integrated caRE Systems for elderly PatiEnts using iCT) dataset

OBJECTIVES

There are limited data regarding blood pressure (BP) variability among older adults living in long-term care hospitals (LTCHs). We aimed to collect data from LTCH and analyse BP characteristics and its variability among these patients using a novel platform.

METHODS

The Health-RESPECT (integrated caRE Systems for elderly PatiEnts using iCT) platform was used to construct a daily BP dataset using data of 394 older patients from 6 LTCHs. BP variability was expressed as coefficient of variation (CV = standard deviation/mean of BP × 100). Physical frailty and cognitive function were evaluated using the K-FRAIL questionnaire and the Cognitive Performance Scale of the interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities tool, respectively.

RESULTS

From September 2019 to September 2020, 151,092 BP measurements, 346.5 (IQR 290.8-486.3) measurements per patient, were included. The mean BP was 123.4 ± 10.8/71.3 ± 6.5 mmHg. BP was significantly lower in frail patients (122.2 ± 11.3/70.4 ± 6.8 mmHg) than in pre-frail/robust patients (124.4 ± 10.4/72.1 ± 6.1 mmHg, P < 0.05). However, CV of systolic (10.7 ± 2.3% versus 11.3 ± 2.3%, P = 0.005) and diastolic (11.6 ± 2.3% versus 12.4 ± 2.4%, P < 0.001) BP was higher in frail patients. The mean BP was lower, but BP variability was higher in patients with cognitive impairment. The mean BP, but not BP variability, was higher in treated hypertensive patients, as the number of antihypertensive medications increased.

CONCLUSION

Older patients with physical or cognitive frailty had lower BP but higher BP variability. Relationship among frailty, increased BP variability and adverse clinical outcomes should be investigated.

Prognostic significance of day-by-day in-hospital blood pressure variability in COVID-19 patients with hypertension

Hypertension is the most common comorbidity in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and increases in-hospital mortality. Day-by-day blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is associated with clinical outcomes in hypertensive patients. However, little information is available on the association of BPV with the outcomes of COVID-19 patients with hypertension. This study aimed to demonstrate whether day-by-day in-hospital BPV had prognostic significance in these patients. The authors included 702 COVID-19 patients with hypertension from Huoshenshan Hospital (Wuhan, China), who underwent valid in-hospital BP measurements on at least seven consecutive days. Day-by-day BPV was assessed by standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and variation independent of mean (VIM). Overall, patients with severe COVID-19 and non-survivors had higher BPV than moderate cases and survivors, respectively. Additionally, higher BPV was correlated with greater age and higher levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, high-sensitive cardiac troponin I, and B-type natriuretic peptide. In multivariable Cox regression, SD of systolic BP (SBP) was predictive of mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.30] as well as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.16). Similar trends were observed for CV and VIM of SBP, but not indices of diastolic BP variability. The authors demonstrated that day-by-day in-hospital SBP variability can independently predict mortality and ARDS in COVID-19 patients with hypertension. And high BPV might be correlated with severe inflammation and myocardial injury. Further studies are needed to clarify whether early reduction of BPV will improve the prognosis of these patients.

Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and the risk of stroke in the Netherlands: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Apart from blood pressure level itself, variation in blood pressure has been implicated in the development of stroke in subgroups at high cardiovascular risk. We determined the association between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and stroke risk in the general population, taking into account the size and direction of variation and several time intervals prior to stroke diagnosis.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

From 1990 to 2016, we included 9,958 stroke-free participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study in the Netherlands. This is a prospective cohort study including participants aged 45 years and older. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability was calculated as absolute SBP difference divided by mean SBP over 2 sequential visits (median 4.6 years apart). Directional SBP variability was defined as SBP difference over 2 visits divided by mean SBP. Using time-varying Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, mean SBP, and cardiovascular risk factors, hazard ratios (HRs) for stroke up to January 2016 were estimated per SD increase and in tertiles of variability. We also conducted analyses with 3-, 6-, and 9-year intervals between variability measurement and stroke assessment. These analyses were repeated for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The mean age of the study population was 67.4 ± 8.2 years and 5,776 (58.0%) were women. During a median follow-up of 10.1 years, 971 (9.8%) participants had a stroke, including 641 ischemic, 89 hemorrhagic, and 241 unspecified strokes. SBP variability was associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HR per SD 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.54, p = 0.02) and unspecified stroke (HR per SD 1.21, 95% CI 1.09-1.34, p < 0.001). The associations were stronger for all stroke subtypes with longer time intervals; the HR for any stroke was 1.29 (95% CI 1.21-1.36, p < 0.001) at 3 years, 1.47 (95% CI 1.35-1.59, p < 0.001) at 6 years, and 1.38 (95%CI 1.24-1.51, p < 0.001) at 9 years. For DBP variability, we found an association with unspecified stroke risk. Both the rise and fall of SBP and the fall of DBP were associated with an increased risk for unspecified stroke. Limitations of the study include that, due to an average interval of 4 years between visits, our findings may not be generalizable to blood pressure variability over shorter periods.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study, we found that visit-to-visit blood pressure variation was associated with an increased risk of unspecified and hemorrhagic stroke, independent of direction of variation or mean blood pressure.

Correlation between short-term blood pressure variability parameters with mobil-O-graph pulse wave velocity

Background

Blood pressure variability (BPV) and arterial stiffness show an association with increased cardiovascular events. Evidences demonstrated an association between higher short-term systolic BPV and stiffer arteries. There is no previous study assessed the correlation between BPV and arterial stiffness measured by a Mobil-O-Graph device. We issued to evaluate the correlation between short-term BPV parameters and Mobil-O-Graph pulse wave velocity (PWV) among suspected hypertensive individuals under treatment.

Methods

Mobil-O-Graph device estimated arterial stiffness (oscillometric PWV [oPWV]) in 649 individuals, and they recorded 24-h ambulatory BP; 428 had suspected hypertension and 221 under treatment. We analyzed the correlation between oPWV and measures of BPV: SD of 24 h BP (24-h SD), SD of daytime BP (daytime-SD), and SD of nighttime BP (nighttime-SD), weighted SD of 24-h BP (wSD), coefficient of variation of 24-h BP (CV 24-h) and average real variability (ARV).

Results

Oscillometric PWV showed a positive correlation with all systolic BPV measures, in both groups. Among suspected hypertensives: 24-h SD, r = 0.30; SD daytime-SD, r = 0.34; nighttime-SD, r = 0.16; wSD, r = 0.30; CV 24-h, r = 0.24; ARV, r = 0.22. In the treated individuals: 24-h SD, r = 0.46; daytime-SD, r = 0.47; nighttime-SD, r = 0.35; wSD, r = 0.50; CV 24-h, r = 0.43; ARV, r = 0.37, all P < 0.001. Diastolic BPV demonstrated association with some measures of BPV. In suspected hypertensive group: nighttime-SD, r = 0.13; wSD, r = 0.10, both P < 0.001. And in treated individuals: daytime-SD, r = 0.23; wSD, r = 0.22; CV 24-h, r = 0.19 (all P < 0.001), ARV, r = 0.15 (P < 0.05). Systolic daytime-SD in suspected and diastolic CV 24-h in treated group independently predicted oPWV.

Conclusion

We observed a positive and independent correlation between Mobil-O-Graph pulse wave velocity and BPV measures, strong to systolic BPV and weak to diastolic BP.

Methods of Blood Pressure Measurement to Predict Hypertension-Related Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As the evidence on different blood pressure phenotypes and their cardiovascular risks evolve, it is imperative to evaluate the reliability of office blood pressure (OBP), ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), and home blood pressure (HBP) measurements and their associations with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

RECENT FINDINGS

HBP is more reliable in diagnosis of hypertension than OBP or ABP. HBP correlates better with left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Increasing systolic HBP is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular events. An elevated systolic ABP is also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. ABP is a better predictor of cardiovascular events than OBP in diabetics. ABP and HBP furnish additional information beyond OBP. They correlate better with cardiovascular outcomes and are more helpful with monitoring therapy than OBP. Comparative effectiveness studies of all three methods associating with cardiovascular outcomes are warranted.

Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability and Kidney Function in Participants of the ASPREE Trial

BACKGROUND

Whether long-term blood pressure variability (BPV) predicts kidney function decline in generally healthy older adults is unknown. We investigated this association in ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial participants.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2014, Australian and US individuals aged ≥70 years (≥65 if US minority) were recruited and followed with annual study visits for a median of 4.7 years. Time-to-event analyses and linear mixed effects models were used to examine associations between incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), and trajectories of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and log albumin-creatinine ratio (log ACR) with systolic BPV as a continuous measure, and, by tertile of SD of systolic blood pressure (BP). BPV was estimated using systolic BP measures from baseline through the second annual visit, and kidney outcomes were assessed following this period.

RESULTS

Incident CKD occurred in 1,829 of 6,759 participants (27.2%), and more commonly in BPV tertiles 2 (27.4%) and 3 (28.3%) than tertile 1 (25.5%); however, the risk was not significantly increased after covariate adjustment (tertile 3 hazard ratio = 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 0.91-1.14). Analysis of eGFR (n = 16,193) and log ACR trajectories (n = 15,213) showed individuals in the highest BPV tertile having the lowest eGFR and highest log ACR, cross-sectionally. However, the trajectories of eGFR and log ACR did not differ across BPV tertiles.

CONCLUSIONS

CKD and markers of reduced kidney function occur more commonly in individuals with higher BPV; however, BPV does not influence trajectory of decline in kidney function over time in older adults who are in generally good health.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Trial Number NCT01038583 and ISRCTN83772183.

Health Effects of Metabolic Risks in the United States From 1990 to 2019

Introduction

Metabolic risks including high body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high systolic blood pressure, kidney dysfunction and low bone mineral density, contribute heavy burden to the US health systems. We aimed to investigate the burden attributable to metabolic risks in the US from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Using methodology of Global Burden of Disease Study, the deaths and DALYs attributable to metabolic risks were analyzed by age, gender, states, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and diseases from 1990 to 2019 in the US.

Results

In 2019, the age-standardized death and DALY rates attributable to metabolic risks were 174.9 and 4738.7 per 100,000 people, accounting for 33.1% and 18.2% of death and DALY rates from all causes in the US, and there was a decrease by −32.5% and −21.2% in age-standardized death and DALY rates since 1990. The burden attributable to metabolic risks increased with age, and was higher in males than females. In addition, the burden varied widely across the states, generally in inverse proportion to the SDI levels, and the heaviest burden was observed in East and West South-Central of the US. Cardiovascular diseases carried heavy burden attributable to metabolic risks.

Conclusion

The burden attributable to metabolic risks remained major public health concerns in the US. Prevention of metabolic risks should be a high priority in the US.

Genetic Determinants of Visit-to-Visit Lipid Variability: Genome-Wide Association Study in Statin-Naïve Korean Population

Background and Aim

There is a growing evidence that fluctuation in lipid profiles is important in cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants associated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) variability in statin-naïve Korean subjects and evaluate their associations with coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods

In statin-naïve subjects from Gene-Environment of Interaction and phenotype cohort, we performed genome-wide association studies of lipid variability; the discovery (first) and replication (second) sets included 4,287 and 1,086 subjects, respectively. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and degree of coronary artery stenosis were used as outcome measures. Cholesterol variability was determined by standard deviation and average successive variability, and significant coronary atherosclerosis was defined as CAC score ≥400 or coronary stenosis ≥70%.

Results

Mean HDL-C and LDL-C level were 54 ± 12 and 123 ± 30 mg/dL in the first set and 53 ± 12 and 126 ± 29 mg/dL in the second set. APOA5 rs662799 and APOA5 rs2266788 were associated with LDL-C variability and PXDNL rs80056520, ALDH2 rs671, HECTD4 rs2074356, and CETP rs2303790 were SNPs associated for HDL-C variability. APOA5 rs662799 passed Bonferroni correction with p-value of 1.789 × 10⁻⁹. Among the SNPs associated with cholesterol variability, rs80056520 and rs2266788 variants were associated with CACS ≥400 and coronary stenosis ≥70% and rs662799 variant was associated with coronary stenosis ≥70%.

Conclusion

Two SNPs associated with LDL-C variability (APOA5 rs662799 and rs2266788) and one SNP associated with HDL-C variability (PXDNL rs80056520) were significantly associated with advanced coronary artery stenosis. Combining GWAS results with imaging parameters, our study may provide a deeper understanding of underlying pathogenic basis of the link between lipid variability and coronary atherosclerosis.

E-Selectin Is Associated with Daytime and 24-Hour Diastolic Blood Pressure Variability in Type 2 Diabetes

E-selectin is an endothelial cell adhesion molecule involved in vascular inflammation. Elevated E-selectin has been reported in patients with high blood pressure and diabetes. Given the increasing clinical relevance of parameters derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, further investigation of their relationships with E-selectin is of interest. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between serum E-selectin, office blood pressure and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. Blood pressure variability was assessed by computing the standard deviation of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure separately for daytime and nighttime during 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 132). Additionally, were assessed nighttime systolic dipping and pulse pressure separately for daytime, nighttime, and 24 h. Serum E-selectin was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. We found that E-selectin was consistently associated with 24 h diastolic blood pressure variability (r = 0.238; p = 0.019) and daytime diastolic blood pressure variability (r = 0.258; p = 0.012), after adjustment for confounding factors. No association of E-selectin with office blood pressure and other 24 h ambulatory blood pressure parameters was observed. In conclusion, endothelial activation indicated by elevated serum E-selectin is associated with increased ambulatory diastolic blood pressure variability in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Anxiety, home blood pressure monitoring, and cardiovascular events among older hypertension patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a health crisis. It remains unclear how anxiety affects blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular risk among older patients with hypertension. In this study, we extracted longitudinal data on home BP monitored via a smartphone-based application in 3724 elderly patients with hypertension from a clinical trial (60–80 years; 240 in Wuhan and 3484 in non-Wuhan areas) to examine changes in morning BP during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Anxiety was evaluated using Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item scores. Changes in morning systolic BP (SBP) were analyzed for five 30-day periods during the pandemic (October 21, 2019 to March 21, 2020), including the pre-epidemic, incubation, developing, outbreak, and plateau periods. Data on cardiovascular events were prospectively collected for one year. A total of 262 individuals (7.0%) reported an increased level of anxiety, and 3462 individuals (93.0%) did not. Patients with anxiety showed higher morning SBP than patients without anxiety, and the between-group differences in SBP change were +1.2 mmHg and +1.7 mmHg during the outbreak and plateau periods (P < 0.05), respectively. The seasonal BP variation in winter among patients with anxiety was suppressed during the pandemic. Anxious patients had higher rates of uncontrolled BP. During the 1-year follow-up period, patients with anxiety had an increased risk of cardiovascular events with a hazard ratio of 2.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.10–5.58; P = 0.03). In summary, COVID-19-related anxiety was associated with a short-term increase in morning SBP among older patients and led to a greater risk of cardiovascular events. (ClinicalTrials. gov number, NCT03015311).

Role of blood pressure on stroke-related mortality: a 45-year follow-up study in China

Background:

Hypertension is associated with stroke-related mortality. However, the long-term association of blood pressure (BP) and the risk of stroke-related mortality and the influence path of BP on stroke-related death remain unknown. The current study aimed to estimate the long-term causal associations between BP and stroke-related mortality and the potential mediating and moderated mediating model of the associations.

Methods:

This is a 45-year follow-up cohort study and a total of 1696 subjects were enrolled in 1976 and 1081 participants died by the latest follow-up in 2020. COX proportional hazard model was used to explore the associations of stroke-related death with baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) categories and BP changes from 1976 to 1994. The mediating and moderated mediating effects were performed to detect the possible influencing path from BP to stroke-related deaths. E value was calculated in the sensitivity analysis.

Results:

Among 1696 participants, the average age was 44.38 ± 6.10 years, and 1124 were men (66.3%). After a 45-year follow-up, a total of 201 (11.9%) stroke-related deaths occurred. After the adjustment, the COX proportional hazard model showed that among the participants with SBP ≥ 160 mmHg or DBP ≥ 100 mmHg in 1976, the risk of stroke-related death increased by 217.5% (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.175, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.297–4.388), and the adjusted HRs were higher in male participants. Among the participants with hypertension in 1976 and 1994, the risk of stroke-related death increased by 110.4% (HR = 2.104, 95% CI: 1.632–2.713), and the adjusted HRs of the BP changes were higher in male participants. Body mass index (BMI) significantly mediated the association of SBP and stroke-related deaths and this mediating effect was moderated by gender.

Conclusions:

In a 45-year follow-up, high BP and persistent hypertension are associated with stroke-related death, and these associations were even more pronounced in male participants. The paths of association are mediated by BMI and moderated by gender.

Associations Between Blood Pressure and Accelerated DNA Methylation Aging

Background

Individuals of the same chronological age may exhibit diverse susceptibilities to death. However, few studies have investigated the associations between blood pressure and the accelerated aging.

Methods and Results

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 288 adults aged ≥50 years. We assessed the DNA methylation‐based measures of biological age using CpG sites on the Illumina HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip. Epigenetic age acceleration metrics were derived by regressing residuals (ΔAge) and ratios (aging rate) of DNA methylation age on chronological age. Dose‐response relationships between blood pressure and epigenetic age acceleration were quantified using multiple linear regression and restricted cubic regression models. We found that each 10–mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure was associated with 0.608 (95% CI, 0.231–0.984) years increase in ΔAge and 0.007 (95% CI, 0.002–0.012) increase in aging rate; meanwhile, for pulse pressure, the increase was 1.12 (95% CI, 0.625–1.61) years for ΔAge and 0.013 (95% CI, 0.007–0.020) for aging rate. Subgroup analysis showed that the significant associations of systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure with epigenetic age acceleration appeared to be limited to women, although interactions between blood pressure and sex were not significant (P values for interaction >0.05). The combination of women and hypertension was associated with a much higher increase in ΔAge (β [95% CI], 4.05 [1.07–7.02]) and aging rate (β [95% CI], 0.047 [0.008–0.087]), compared with male participants without hypertension.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that high systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were associated with the epigenetic age acceleration, providing important clues for relationships between blood pressure and epigenetic aging.

Exploring the Dynamics of Week-to-Week Blood Pressure in Nursing Home Residents Before Death

BACKGROUND

Aging is accompanied by an overall dysregulation of many dynamic physiologic processes including those related to blood pressure (BP). While year-to-year BP variability is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality, no studies have examined this trend with more frequent BP assessments. Our study objective is to take the next step to examine week-to-week BP dynamics-pattern, variability, and complexity-before death.

METHODS

Using a retrospective study design, we assessed BP dynamics in the 6 months before death in long-term nursing home residents between 1 October 2006 and 30 September 2017. Variability was characterized using SD and mean squared error after adjusting for diurnal variations. Complexity (i.e., amount of novel information in a trend) was examined using Shannon's entropy (bits). Generalized linear models were used to examine factors associated with overall BP variability.

RESULTS

We identified 17,953 nursing home residents (98.0% male, 82.5% White, mean age 80.2 years, and mean BP 125.7/68.6 mm Hg). Despite a slight trend of decreasing systolic week-to-week BP over time (delta = 7.2 mm Hg), week-to-week complexity did not change in the 6 months before death (delta = 0.02 bits). Average weekly BP variability was stable until the last 3-4 weeks of life, at which point variability increased by 30% for both systolic and diastolic BP. Factors associated with BP variability include average weekly systolic/diastolic BP, days in the nursing home, days in the hospital, and changes to antihypertensive medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Week-to-week BP variability increases substantially in the last month of life, but complexity does not change. Changes in care patterns may drive the increase in BP variability as one approaches death.

Decreased Serum Dickkopf-1 Levels After Hypoglycemic Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

AIM

Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is a major inhibitor of Wingless protein signaling pathway, which is involved in glucose metabolism and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes of serum DKK-1 levels after hypoglycemic treatments and the relationship between DKK-1 and clinical parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a sub-study of a previously published clinical trial (the effect of Acarbose on glycemic variability in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using premixed insulin compared to metformin). All subjects underwent anthropometric and biochemical assessments at baseline and endpoint. Serum DKK-1 levels of 92 subjects were measured at baseline and after 12-week hypoglycemic treatment.

RESULTS

DKK-1 levels were significantly decreased after hypoglycemic treatment for 12 weeks (P < 0.001). ΔDKK-1 levels were not correlated with improvement of metabolic parameters (all P > 0.05) but were negatively correlated with baseline DKK-1 levels (r = -0.263, P = 0.011). Spearman correlation showed that baseline DKK-1 levels were positively related to baseline total cholesterol (r = 0.226, P = 0.030) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = 0.277, P = 0.007). Compared with the higher baseline DKK-1 group (≥3700 pg/mL), subjects in the lower baseline DKK-1 group (<3700 pg/mL) had significantly lower baseline glycated hemoglobin A1c levels (P = 0.008) and LDL-C levels (P = 0.048). Systolic and diastolic pressure were decreased more significantly in the lower baseline DKK-1 group than that in the higher baseline DKK-1 group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Serum DKK-1 levels were decreased after hypoglycemic treatments. Patients with lower baseline DKK-1 levels were featured by more favorable cardiometabolic factors.

Day-To-Day Home Blood Pressure Variability and All-Cause Mortality in a Memory Clinic Population

BACKGROUND

High day-to-day blood pressure variability (BPV) has been associated with an increased risk for cognitive decline and mortality in the general population. Whether BPV is associated with increased all-cause mortality in older people with cognitive impairment is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between day-to-day home BPV and all-cause mortality in older patients attending a memory clinic.

METHODS

We included 279 patients attending a memory clinic, who measured home blood pressure (BP) for 7 consecutive days in the morning and evening. Within-subject BPV was defined as the variation independent of the mean (VIM). Time-to-death was verified through the Dutch population registry. Cox proportional hazard regression was used. Separate analyses were performed for morning-to-morning and evening-to-evening BPV.

RESULTS

Mean age was 73±9 years, dementia and mild cognitive impairment were diagnosed in 35% and 34% respectively, and mean home BP was 139/79 mmHg. After a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, 52 patients had died. Neither day-to-day systolic nor diastolic VIM were associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] systolic VIM: 0.99, 95% -CI 0.92-1.06, p = 0.770, HR diastolic VIM: 1.04, 95% -CI 0.93-1.17, p = 0.517). When morning and evening measurements were analyzed separately, systolic morning-to-morning VIM was associated with mortality (adjusted HR: 1.09, 95% -CI 1.01-1.18, p = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

In this study, day-to-day BPV was not associated with all-cause mortality in patients attending a memory clinic. However, morning-to-morning BPV was. Due to the short assessment window, there is still a lack of clarity; hence future research is warranted to clarify the role of all BPV components in aging.

Dietary patterns in association with the risk of elevated blood pressure, lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose among adults in Jiangsu Province of China

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This study aimed to identify unique dietary patterns, and to examine the correlation of dietary patterns with elevated blood pressure, lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) among adults in Jiangsu Province of China.

METHODS AND RESULTS

4951 individuals were selected in this cross-sectional study from nutrition and health survey in Jiangsu Province in 2014. Factor analysis was used to identify the dietary patterns. Higher quartile of the cereals-seafood-dairy dietary pattern was inversely associated with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (composed to Q1, OR = 0.834, 95% CI: 0.700∼0.993, P < 0.05) and FPG (composed to Q1, OR = 0.725, 95% CI: 0.609-0.862, P < 0.05), while higher quartile of the traditional Jiangsu dietary pattern was positively associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (composed to Q1, OR = 1.395, 95% CI: 1.067∼1.825, P < 0.05) and high systolic blood pressure (SBP) (composed to Q1, OR = 1.238, 95% CI: 1.020∼1.503, P < 0.05). Higher scores of the refined food-oriented dietary pattern was inversely related to high triglycerides (TG) (composed to Q1, OR = 0.665, 95% CI: 0.551∼0.802, P < 0.05), but was positively related to high TC (composed to Q1, OR = 2.179, 95% CI: 1.817∼2.614), high LDL (composed to Q1, OR = 2.431, 95% CI: 2.037∼2.902, P < 0.05) and elevated FPG (composed to Q1, OR = 1.734, 95% CI: 1.458∼2.061, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Different structure of dietary patterns do affect the blood pressure, lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose among adults in Jiangsu Province, China.

Examining the Efficacy of a Very-Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet on Cardiovascular Health in Adults with Mildly Elevated Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in an Open-Label Pilot Study

Background:

The objective of this open-label pilot study was to investigate the efficacy of a very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD), known as Nic's Ketogenic Diet, for 140 days on cardiometabolic markers in healthy adults with mildly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Methods:

Study assessments were conducted at Day 0, 28, 56, 70, 84, 112, and 140, and weight and blood pressure (BP) were measured and fasting blood was collected for analysis of plasma lipids. A DEXA scan was performed and body mass index recorded on Day 0, 70, and 140. Blood glucose, inflammatory, and thyroid markers were measured on Day 0 and 140. Compliance was assessed using weekly 3-day food records and daily blood glucose and ketone monitoring.

Results:

The results showed that body fat percentage decreased by 2.25% and 4.41% at Day 70 and 140, respectively (P ≤ 0.012). Significant reductions in android, gynoid, and android/gynoid fat ratio and increases in muscle mass occurred by Day 70 and 140. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were increased and systolic BP and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were decreased at Day 140 (P < 0.05). Following this VLCKD for 140 days was found to be safe and was well tolerated.

Conclusion:

The VLCKD showed beneficial changes in body composition and cardiometabolic markers in eutrophic and overweight participants in a 140-day study suggesting a future role for this diet in populations at cardiovascular disease risk. Future research with larger sample size in a randomized double blind clinical trial is warranted to confirm these results.

Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT04195594.

Night-time diastolic blood pressure variability relates to stroke recurrence in patients who had ischaemic stroke with small artery occlusion

Background and purpose

The association between blood pressure variability (BPV) and stroke recurrence among patients who had ischaemic stroke (IS) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between BPV and stroke recurrence in patients who had IS of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) subtype and small artery occlusion (SAO) subtype.

Methods

Data from the BOSS (Blood Pressure and Clinical Outcome in Transient Ischemic Attack or Ischemic Stroke) study were examined. IS subtypes were diagnosed according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. BPV was performed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and defined through SD of blood pressure. The primary outcome was stroke recurrence within 90 days after discharge. Multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the association between BPV and stroke recurrence in patients who had IS of LAA subtype and SAO subtype.

Results

A total of 1390 patients who had IS from the BOSS study were included in the present study. Multivariable analysis suggests that 24-hour systolic BPV (SBPV) and night-time diastolic BPV (DBPV) were significantly associated with stroke recurrence among all patients who had IS (HR, 2.50, 95% CI 1.07 to 5.84; HR, 1.85, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.21, respectively). Night-time SBPV and night-time DBPV were significantly associated with stroke recurrence in patients with SAO subtype (HR, 2.77, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.15; HR, 3.60, 95% CI 1.39 to 9.29, respectively). However, in the adjusted model, only night-time DBPV remained significant in patients with SAO subtype (HR, 3.87, 95% CI 1.40 to 10.71). Similar results were not found in patients who had IS of LAA subtype.

Conclusions

High night-time DBPV was associated with increased risk of stroke recurrence among patients who had IS of SAO subtype. The results of this study have implications for the secondary prevention management and future research of patients who had IS of SAO subtype. The association between BPV and stroke recurrence in patients who had IS of LAA subtype and SAO subtype should be investigated in larger, population-based studies.

Impacts of PM2.5 on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Indicators Attenuated by Blood Pressure Control Status and Treatment - Two Cities and Two Municipalities, China, 2017-2019

What is already known about this topic?

Short-term PM_2.5 exposure has been associated with hourly, 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure (BP) levels, and further studies focusing whether and how the associations with other ambulatory BP monitoring indicators are warranted.

What is added by this report?

This study observed that short-term PM_2.5 exposure was associated with BP elevations and was the first to report the associations of short-term PM_2.5 exposure with BP variability. Circadian rhythm of BP and BP load among hypertensive patients were found to be modified by controlled BP status or taking angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).

What are the implications for public health practice?

This study suggested that antihypertensive therapy, especially with well-controlled BP status may be potential measurements to attenuate adverse impacts of PM_2.5 for hypertensive patients with intermediate-to-high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Association Between Blood Pressure Variability With Dementia and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

[Figure: see text].

Increased Visit-to-Visit Liver Enzyme Variability Is Associated with Incident Diabetes: A Community-Based 12-Year Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Fatty liver and/or increased liver enzyme values have been reported to be associated with incident diabetes. We sought to determine whether increased visit-to-visit liver enzyme variability is associated with incident diabetes.

METHODS

Study participants were recruited from the Korean Genome and Epidemiologic Study (KoGES). A total of 4,151 people aged 40 to 69 years was recruited and tested every 2 years for up to 12 years. Visit-to-visit aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) variability was evaluated in first the 6-year period through the use of various variability measurements: standard deviation (SD), average successive variability, coefficient of variation (CV), and variation independent of mean (VIM). Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at every visit.

RESULTS

During the 6-year follow-up appointments, 13.0% (538/4,151) of people developed incident diabetes. Visit-to-visit AST variability was associated with an increased risk of diabetes independent of conventional risk factors for diabetes (hazard ratio per 1-SD increment [95% confidence interval]: 1.06 [1.00 to 1.11], 1.12 [1.04 to 1.21], and 1.13 [1.04 to 1.22] for SD, CV, and VIM, respectively; all P<0.05); however, no such associations were observed in the visit-to-visit ALT variability. According to alcohol consumption status, both AST and ALT variability were independent predictors for incident diabetes in subjects with heavy alcohol consumption; however, neither AST nor ALT variability was associated with diabetes risk in subjects who did not drink alcohol heavily.

CONCLUSION

Visit-to-visit liver enzyme variability is an independent predictor of incident diabetes. Such association was more evident in those who consumed significant amounts of alcohol.

Refining determinants of associations of visit-to-visit blood pressure variability with cardiovascular risk: results from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Trial

OBJECTIVES

As there is uncertainty about the extent to which baseline blood pressure level or cardiovascular risk modifies the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPv) and cardiovascular disease, we comprehensively examined the role of BPv in cardiovascular disease risk in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Trial.

METHODS

Using data from ACCORD, we examined the relationship of BPv with development of the primary CVD outcome, major coronary heart disease (CHD), and total stroke using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

BPv was associated with the primary CVD outcome and major CHD but not stroke. The positive association with the primary CVD outcome and major CHD was more pronounced in low and high strata of baseline SBP (<120 and >140 mmHg) and DBP (<70 and >80 mmHg). The effect of BPv on CVD and CHD was more pronounced in those with both prior CVD history and low blood pressure. Dips, not elevations, in blood pressure appeared to drive these associations. The relationships were generally not attenuated by adjustment for mean blood pressure, medication adherence, or baseline comorbidities. A sensitivity analysis using CVD events from the long-term posttrial follow-up (ACCORDION) was consistent with the results from ACCORD.

CONCLUSION

In ACCORD, the effect of BPv on adverse cardiovascular (but not cerebrovascular) outcomes is modified by baseline blood pressure and prior CVD. Recognizing these more nuanced relationships may help improve risk stratification and blood pressure management decisions as well as provide insight into potential underlying mechanisms.

Digital Resilience Biomarkers for Personalized Health Maintenance and Disease Prevention

Health maintenance and disease prevention strategies become increasingly prioritized with increasing health and economic burden of chronic, lifestyle-related diseases. A key element in these strategies is the empowerment of individuals to control their health. Self-measurement plays an essential role in achieving such empowerment. Digital measurements have the advantage of being measured non-invasively, passively, continuously, and in a real-world context. An important question is whether such measurement can sensitively measure subtle disbalances in the progression toward disease, as well as the subtle effects of, for example, nutritional improvement. The concept of resilience biomarkers, defined as the dynamic evaluation of the biological response to an external challenge, has been identified as a viable strategy to measure these subtle effects. In this review, we explore the potential of integrating this concept with digital physiological measurements to come to digital resilience biomarkers. Additionally, we discuss the potential of wearable, non-invasive, and continuous measurement of molecular biomarkers. These types of innovative measurements may, in the future, also serve as a digital resilience biomarker to provide even more insight into the personal biological dynamics of an individual. Altogether, digital resilience biomarkers are envisioned to allow for the measurement of subtle effects of health maintenance and disease prevention strategies in a real-world context and thereby give personalized feedback to improve health.

Association between Short-Term Blood Pressure Variability and Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability: A High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Aim: short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) as a risk factor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events has been investigated. However, its association with atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the association between short-term BPV and intracranial atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.

Methods: this is a cross-sectional analysis of 267 ischemic stroke patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (mean age, 65±12 years old; 60.3% male), which were prospectively recruited in a comprehensive stroke center. Systolic and diastolic BP SD, CV, and BP variability ratio (BPVR) from 24 hours, daytime, and nighttime were calculated from 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, intracranial atherosclerotic plaque burden and vulnerability were evaluated by high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging. Logistic regression analysis was used to locate the correlation between short-term BPV and plaque vulnerability.

Results: a total of 36.3% subjects presented with intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in this study. Multivariate logistic regression suggested that nighttime diastolic BP CV and 24-h BPVR were associated with intracranial IPH independently after adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for per SD BPV changes were 1.418 (1.051, 1.914) and 0.731 (0.548, 0.976), respectively, and this association also independent of atherosclerosis burden and 24-h mean systolic BP level. Further subgroup analysis by age and hypertension history demonstrated that the statistical correlation could only establish in the elder, and subjects with hypertension.

Conclusion: nighttime diastolic BP CV and 24-h BPVR were associated with intracranial IPH independently, especially in the elderly and subjects with hypertension.

Correlations Among Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability and Treatment With Antihypertensive Medication With Long-Term Adverse Outcomes in a Large Veteran Cohort

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with adverse events (AEs) independently of hypertension. It has been suggested that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may reduce BPV, and thus be particularly valuable in hypertensives with high BPV. We sought to investigate how CCB affect BPV progression and whether long-term adverse effects of BPV differ after CCB treatment than after treatment with other antihypertensives.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 25,268 US veterans who had been followed for 3 years without hypertensive therapy, started on a single class of antihypertensive agents (thiazides, CCBs, ACE inhibitors, or beta blockers [BBs]), treated for 6 years, and then followed for 3 additional years. BPV was calculated as SD of systolic or diastolic blood pressures from at least 10 measurements over each 3-year period. A combined AE endpoint included hospitalization, coronary artery bypass grafting, carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, amputation, arteriovenous fistula creation, and mortality was assessed in years 9-12.

RESULTS

Post-medication high BPV and BB or thiazide use were associated with increased AE risk. Medication type also affected mean post-medication BPV. The effects of medications except for BBs on AE and mortality was independent of the patient BPV.

CONCLUSIONS

The possible deleterious effects of thiazides should be considered within the context of the study population, who were mostly male and received only a single class of hypertensives. While CCB may ameliorate BPV over time, this study does not support choosing CCB over other agents specifically to lessen BPV-associated risk.

Changes in late-life systolic blood pressure and all-cause mortality among oldest-old people in China: the chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey

Background

Blood pressure targets for oldest-old people have been long debated due to the concern that more stringent targets are associated with increased mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between changes of late-life systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean SBP and SBP variability (SBPV), and all-cause mortality in oldest-old.

Methods

Based on the community-based Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey with follow-up conducted in the 3-year interval, we assembled a retrospective cohort of 6639 participants ≥ 80 years with available blood pressure measurements at baseline and second wave. The primary exposures were mean SBP and SBPV (defined as the annual difference in SBP divided by mean SBP) measured between baseline and second wave. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality assessed from the second wave.

Results

During 21443.1 person-years of follow-up, 4622 death was recorded. U-shaped associations of mortality with mean SBP and SBPV were identified; the value of 137 mmHg and 4.0 %/year conferred the minimum mortality risk, respectively. The associations of a larger SBPV with an increased mortality risk were observed for both rises and large falls in SBP. The hazard ratio was 1.11 (comparing lowest versus middle quintile; 95 % CI: 1.01, 1.22) with large falls in SBPV and 1.08 (comparing highest versus middle quintile; 95 % CI: 0.98, 1.18) with large rises in SBPV.

Conclusions

U-shaped associations between late-life SBP and SBPV and all-cause mortality were found. Our study suggests that a stable SBP level in the middle range is related to lower mortality risk in the oldest-old.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02492-4.

The association between 24-h blood pressure variability and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in hospitalized patients with acute myocardial infarction: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is major cardiovascular disease that causes high morbidity and mortality. In AMI, ischemia and necrosis affected some cardiomyocytes leading to a decrease in myocardial contractility which is followed by an acute proinflammation reaction and increased sympathetic tone. Meanwhile, high blood pressure variability (BPV) causing an increased left ventricular workload, heart rate, myocardial oxygen demand and induces proinflamations and endothelial dysfunction. Therefore a high BPV and its associated pathological effects are likely to aggravate the physiological function of the heart and affect the emergence of acute cardiac complications in AMI patients. This study aims to investigate the association's between short-term BPV and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in AMI patients. This retrospective cohort study used simple random sampling to identify AMI patients who were hospitalized at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. Mann Withney was performed to investigate the association between BPV and MACE.

RESULTS

The average systolic BPV value which was calculated as standard deviation (SD) and average real variability (ARV) was higher in the MACE group than in the non-MACE group. Systolic SD and systolic ARV in the MACE group were 13.28 ± 5.41 mmHg and 9.88 ± 3.81 mmHg respectively. In the non-MACE group, systolic SD and systolic ARV were 10.76 (4.59-26.17) mmHg and 8.65 (3.22-19.35) mmHg respectively. There was no significant association between BPV and MACE. However, there were significant differences between systolic SD and systolic ARV in patients with hypertension who experienced MACE and patients without hypertension who experienced MACE.

CONCLUSIONS

The BPV of AMI patients who experience MACE was higher than that of non-MACE AMI patients. There was no significant association between BPV ​​and MACE during the acute phase of AMI.