Job strain and masked hypertension

Prevalence of masked hypertension in attended versus unattended office blood pressure measurement

There is a controversial debate regarding whether unattended blood pressure (BP) measurement should be regarded as the new gold standard of office BP measurement. Unattended BP measurement eliminates the white-coat effect and reduces external influences on the patient. On the other hand, it might underestimate real-life BP. The present study compares the prevalence of masked hypertension using attended versus unattended office BP measurements. We performed a cross-sectional study on 213 patients in a general practitioner's outpatient clinic and compared attended and unattended office BP with 24h-ambulatory BP monitoring (24h-ABPM). Masked hypertension was defined as pressure ≥135/85 mmHg in daytime ABPM with office systolic BP < 140/90 mmHg. Median attended and unattended office BPs were 140/86 and 134/80 mmHg with a median 24h-BP of 129/79 mmHg and daytime ABP of 133/82 mmHg. The number of patients with masked hypertension was 45/213 (21.2%) using unattended and 23/213 (10.8%) using attended office BP measurements (p < .0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a 7.4 mmHg systolic and 6.2 mmHg diastolic bias between the attended versus unattended office BP, and two systolic and -1.7 mmHg diastolic biases between the unattended office BP and daytime ambulatory BP. In linear regression analysis, an unattended office BP of 134 mmHg corresponded to 140 mmHg in attended BP measurement. Using a cut-off of 135/85 mmHg instead of 140/90 mmHg in unattended office BP measurement, the rate of masked hypertension was 26/213 (12.2%). Thus, unattended office BP measurement results in a substantial increase in the prevalence of masked hypertension using the traditional definition of hypertension. The present findings suggest that it might be reasonable to use a definition of 135/85 mmHg.

The relationship between occupational stress and job burnout among female manufacturing workers in Guangdong, China: a cross-sectional study

This study aims to investigate the relationship between occupational stress and job burnout in female manufacturing workers. A random sample of 1081 female workers in electronic manufacturing in Guangdong Province participated in the present study. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire that covered social-demographic characteristics, the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Effort-reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory for the General Survey, was used to assess occupational stress and job burnout. Independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, hierarchical multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. Occupational stress was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and negatively correlated with personal accomplishment. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, job strain was a risk factor for emotional exhaustion (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.61-3.20) and depersonalization (OR = 1.96 95% CI: 1.45-2.64). Female workers with high effort-reward imbalance had an increased risk of depersonalization (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.33-2.90). Furthermore, female workers with high overcommitment had an increased risk of emotional exhaustion (OR = 3.07, 95% CI: 2.06-4.58) and depersonalization (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.92-4.17), while higher social support reduced the risk of emotional exhaustion (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.26-0.53). The job burnout of female manufacturing workers is significantly correlated with their occupational stress. Higher job strain and overcommitment might be important contributors to job burnout. Increased worker social support can reduce job burnout.

Stress-induced arterial hypertension

Stress is considered as one of the factors associated with the development of many diseases, including the cardiovascular system. The history of studying stress as a risk factor for hypertension began in the first half of the 20th century and continued after the introduction of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) into clinical practice. Then it turned out that there is normotension, stable hypertension and latent hypertension: masked (when clinical BP is within the normal range, and arterial hypertension is recorded according to ABPM and/or self-monitoring of BP) and white coat hypertension (increased BP during a visit to the doctor when normal values of blood pressure according to ABPM or self-monitoring of BP). Currently, both variants of latent hypertension are classified as stress-induced arterial hypertension. Several models have been proposed for the study of stress, but two of them are more common in clinical studies: the Karasek model (based on an imbalance between job demands and job decision latitude) and the Siegrist model (based on an imbalance of effort and reward). There are only few studies in where attempts have been made to link the increase in BP with the parameters of stress response (for example, with hormonal levels) or genetic predisposition. The review discusses the most significant studies of stress-induced arterial hypertension published to date.

Association of work and hypertension among middle-aged adults and elderly Indians

PURPOSE

Over two-fifth of middle-aged adults and elderly (45 +) in India are hypertensive. Though studies examined prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension, little is known on the association of hypertension with work status in India. This study examines the variations of hypertension by types of work among middle-aged adults and the elderly in India.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Aging Survey of India (LASI), Wave 1, 2017-18, and analysis was restricted to participants aged 45 and above with complete information on employment and blood pressure (N = 59,196).

RESULTS

We estimated the adjusted prevalence of hypertension at 49.2% (95% CI, 47.8-50.6) among the ever worked but not currently working and 44.5% (95% CI, 43.1-45.8) among currently working. Among eight broad categories of the currently working population, the adjusted estimates of hypertension were highest among legislators, senior officials and managers (71.5%; 95% CI, 41.9-101.0), followed by service and sales worker workers (44.7%; 95% CI, 41.2-48.2) and least among the professionals (37.1%; 95% CI, 27.1-47.2). Relative to never worked, legislators, senior officials and managers were twice more likely [adjusted OR (AOR) 2.00; 95% CI, 0.74-5.39] to be hypertensive, followed by plant and machine operators (AOR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.04-1.71). The odds of being hypertensive was least among those engaged in professional (engineering, health, education) activities. The other significant predictors are age, sex, residence, education level, household economic condition, family history of hypertension, chronic disease and depression.

CONCLUSION

The risk of hypertension varies with the types of work in which older Indians are engaged. Awareness and treatment of hypertension in high-risk occupation are recommended.

Epidemiological Impact and Clinical Consequences of Masked Hypertension: A Narrative Review

Masked hypertension (MHT) is a clinical condition characterized by normal blood pressure (BP) levels during clinical consultation and above normal out-of-office BP values. MHT is associated to an increased risk of developing hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) and major cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalizations due to CV causes, as well as to metabolic abnormalities and diabetes, thus further promoting the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Previous studies showed contrasting data on prevalence and clinical impact of MHT, due to not uniform diagnostic criteria (including either home or 24-h ambulatory BP measurements, or both) and background antihypertensive treatment. Whatever the case, over the last few years the widespread diffusion of validated devices for home BP monitoring has promoted a better diagnostic assessment and proper identification of individuals with MHT in a setting of clinical practice, thus resulting in increased prevalence of this clinical condition with potential clinical and socio-economic consequences. Several other items, in fact, remain unclear and debated, particularly regarding the therapeutic approach to MHT. The aim of this narrative review is to illustrate the clinical definition of MHT, to analyze the diagnostic algorithm, and to discuss the potential pharmacological approaches to be adopted in this clinical condition, in the light of the recommendations of the recent European hypertension guidelines.

Characteristics of Patients with Reproducible Masked Hypertension and its Diagnosis Approach

Background. Early diagnostics of masked hypertension (MH) is one of the key problems in modern cardiology due to the association of this blood pressure (BP) phenotype with doubled cardiovascular risk in comparison with normotension (NT). The current hypertension guidelines list numerous conditions, when the ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) is desirable in patients with normal office BP. However this list does not represent clearly defined, agreed and approved indications for ABPM as a diagnostic tool for MH.

Aim. To develop a method of MH diagnostics for the use in routine clinical practice based on the comparing characteristics of patients with reproducible MH vs NT.

Material and methods. The patients were selected from two trials that used ABPM (n=1778). The selection criteria included age 40-79 years, office BP<140/90 mm Hg, the absence of “hypertension” diagnosis or antihypertensive drug intake, and available results of two examinations (winter and summer): standard questionnaire, information about family history, chronic diseases and drug intake, height, weight, office and orthostatic BP and ABPM. We used the following definition of MH: elevated ambulatory BP (24-hour ≥130 and/or 80 mm Hg, daytime ≥135 and/or 85 mm Hg, or nighttime ≥120 and 70 mmHg) registered at both visits.

Results. In total, 153 patients with reproducible (both winter and summer) BP phenotype were included: 127 with MH, and 26 with NT (mean age 49.1Ѓ}7.8 years, 36.1% males). In multivariate analysis, reproducible MH was associated with body mass index (β2.097; p<0.0001), office diastolic BP (β2.152; p<0.0001), orthostatic systolic BP (β1.031; p<0.023) and orthostatic heart rate (β0.773; p=0.19). These parameters were used in the original “MH coefficient” formula.

Conclusions. MH is often found in patients with normal and optimal office BP and without “hypertension” diagnosis. The method described in the article helps to detect MH with high probability and define the individual indications for ABPM. The MH phenomenon in the category of patients warrants further investigation.

Association of Cardiovascular Outcomes With Masked Hypertension Defined by Home Blood Pressure Monitoring in a Japanese General Practice Population

Importance

The clinical outcomes associated with masked hypertension defined by home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) in clinical settings remain uncertain.

Objective

To assess the association between masked hypertension and cardiovascular disease events in clinical settings.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This observational cohort study used data from 4261 outpatients treated at 71 primary practices or university hospitals throughout Japan who were enrolled in the Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure study between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012. Participants had a history of or risk factors for cardiovascular disease and were followed up through March 31, 2015. Participants underwent clinic blood pressure (BP) measurements on 2 occasions as well as HBPM measurements in the morning and evening for a 14-day period. Urine albumin to creatinine ratio and circulating brain (or B-type) natriuretic peptide levels were quantified at baseline as a marker of cardiovascular end-organ damage. Data were analyzed from July 1, 2017, to October 31, 2017.

Exposures

Participants were categorized into 4 BP groups: (1) masked hypertension-hypertensive home BP levels (systolic, ≥135 mm Hg; diastolic, ≥85 mm Hg) and nonhypertensive clinic BP levels (systolic, <140 mm Hg; diastolic, <90 mm Hg); (2) white-coat hypertension-nonhypertensive home BP levels (systolic, <135 mm Hg; diastolic, <85 mm Hg) and hypertensive clinic BP levels (systolic, ≥140 mm Hg; diastolic, ≥90 mm Hg); (3) sustained hypertension-hypertensive home and clinic BP levels; and (4) controlled BP-nonhypertensive home and clinic BP levels.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incident stroke and coronary heart disease.

Results

Of the 4261 participants, 2266 (53.2%) were women, 3374 (79.2%) were taking antihypertensive medication, and the mean (SD) age was 64.9 (10.9) years. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.9 (2.4-4.6) years, 74 stroke (4.4 per 1000 person-years) and 77 coronary heart disease (4.6 per 1000 person-years) events occurred. The masked hypertension group had a greater risk for stroke compared with the controlled BP group (hazard ratio, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.20-6.37), independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and circulating B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Conversely, masked hypertension yielded no association with coronary heart disease risk.

Conclusions and Relevance

In the Japanese general practice population, masked hypertension defined by HBPM may be associated with an increased risk for stroke events. Use of HBPM may improve the assessment of BP-related risks and identify new therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease events.

Job strain and the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among white-collar workers

To determine whether white-collar workers treated for hypertension who are exposed to psychosocial stressors at work have a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension than unexposed workers, this study conducted three waves of data collection over a 5-year period (repeated cross-sectional design). The study sample was composed of 464 white-collar workers treated for hypertension. At each collection time, ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was measured every 15 min during the workday. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as a mean daytime systolic ABP ≥135 mmHg and/or diastolic ABP ≥85 mmHg for non-diabetic participants and systolic ABP ≥125 mmHg and/or diastolic ABP ≥75 mmHg for diabetic participants. Job strain was evaluated with Karasek's demand-latitude model using validated scales for psychological demands and decision latitude. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle-related risk factors. Men with job strain (high demands and low latitude) and active jobs (high demands and high latitude) had a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension (PR job strain = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07-1.98 and PR active = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12-1.94). When considered separately, high demands were associated with a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in both men (PR highest tertile = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.25-2.06) and women (PR highest tertile = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.03-2.47). Workers exposed to psychosocial stressors at work according to the demand-latitude model had a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. Reducing these frequent exposures could help to reduce the burden of uncontrolled hypertension.

Psychosocial Stressors at Work and Ambulatory Blood Pressure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Psychosocial stressors at work from the demand-latitude and effort-reward imbalance models are adverse exposures affecting about 20-25% of workers in industrialized countries. This review aims to summarize evidence on the effect of these stressors on blood pressure (BP).

RECENT FINDINGS

Three systematic reviews have recently documented the effect of these psychosocial stressors at work on BP. Among exposed workers, statistically significant BP increases ranging from 1.5 to 11 mmHg have been observed in prospective studies using ambulatory BP (ABP). Recent studies using ABP have shown a deleterious effect of these psychosocial stressors at work on masked hypertension as well as on blood pressure control in pharmacologically treated patients. Evidence on the effect of these psychosocial stressors on BP supports the relevance to tackle these upstream factors for primary prevention and to reduce the burden of poor BP control. There is a need for increased public health and clinical awareness of the occupational etiology of high BP, hypertension, and poor BP control.

Masked hypertension incidence and risk factors in a prospective cohort study

Aims

Masked hypertension may affect up to 30% of the general population and is associated with a high cardiovascular disease risk. No previous study has examined the incidence of masked hypertension and its risk factors. The study aim was to determine the incidence of masked hypertension and to examine its related risk factors.

Methods

This is a cohort study including 1836 initially normotensive participants followed up on average for 2.9 years. Blood pressure was measured using Spacelabs 90207. Manual blood pressure was defined as the mean of the first three readings taken at rest. Ambulatory blood pressure was defined as the mean of the next readings recorded every 15 minutes during daytime working hours. Masked hypertension incidence at follow-up was defined as manual blood pressure less than 140 and less than 90 mmHg and ambulatory blood pressure at least 135 or at least 85 mmHg. Generalised estimating equations were used.

Results

The cumulative incidence of masked hypertension was 10.3% and was associated with male gender (relative risk (RR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.94), older age (RR40–49 years 1.56, 95% CI 1.16–2.11, RR≥50 years 1.50, 95% CI 1.06–2.10), higher education (RRcollege 1.31, 95% CI 1.03–1.65), body mass index (RR≥27 1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.85), smoking (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.09–2.010) and alcohol intake (RR≥6/week 1.65, 95% CI 1.13–2.03).

Conclusion

The present study is the first to identify risk factors for the incidence of masked hypertension. Current guidelines for hypertension detection recommend ambulatory blood pressure in patients with an elevated blood pressure reading at the clinic. As it is impractical to measure ambulatory blood pressure in all normotensive patients, factors identified in the present study should be considered for the screening of at-risk individuals and for primary prevention of masked hypertension.

Attended Versus Unattended Blood Pressure Measurement in a Real Life Setting

The debate on the generalizability of the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) findings raised considerable interest in the technique of unattended office blood pressure (BP) measurement. It remains elusive, however, whether unattended BP measurement yields lower values than conventional measurements in a real world setting with subjects consulting their personal general practitioner in a familiar office. We performed a cross-sectional study in 158 patients in 4 general practitioners' offices and compared conventional auscultatory office BP to unattended automated office BP in 107 subjects (group 1) and unattended to attended automated office BP in another 51 subjects (group 2). Unattended BP was calculated as the mean of 3 automated measurements performed in a separate room after 5 minutes of rest. Additionally, patients documented home BP for 7 days after the consultation. Mean auscultatory office, unattended office and home BP were 144.6/81.0, 144.1/79.9, and 135.5/78.3 mm Hg in group 1; unattended and attended automated office BP were 134.2/80.6 and 135.7/80.6 mm Hg in group 2. Systolic attended and unattended office BP values were significantly higher than home BP (P<0.001, P<0.01, respectively). Attended and unattended office BP, however, did neither show a significant difference in group 1 nor in group 2 (P>0.05 each). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a bias of 0.5 mm Hg systolic and 1.1 mm Hg diastolic in group 1 and -1.5 mm Hg systolic and 0 mm Hg diastolic in group 2. In conclusion, the present findings show that unattended and attended office BP measurements achieve comparable results, if measurements take place at a familiar general practitioner's office.

Masked hypertension and effort-reward imbalance at work among 2369 white-collar workers

Hypertension is an important risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide. Adverse effects of psychosocial factors at work might increase the risk of masked hypertension, but evidences are still scarce. The objective of this study is then to determine whether adverse psychosocial work factors from the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model are associated with the prevalence of masked hypertension in a population of white-collar workers. White-collar workers were recruited from three public organizations. Blood pressure was measured at the workplace for manually operated measurements (mean of the first three readings taken by a trained assistant) followed by ambulatory measurements (mean of all subsequent readings taken during the working day). Masked hypertension was defined as manually operated BP<140/90 mm Hg and ambulatory BP ⩾135/85 mm Hg. ERI exposure at work was measured using Siegrist's validated questionnaire. Blood pressure readings were obtained from 2369 workers (participation proportion: 85%). ERI exposure (OR: 1.53 (95% CI: 1.16-2.02) and high efforts at work (OR: 1.61 (95% CI: 1.13-1.29) were associated with masked hypertension, after adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Workers exposed to an imbalance between efforts spent at work and reward had a higher prevalence of masked hypertension. High efforts at work might be of particular importance in explaining this association. Future studies should be designed to investigate how clinicians can include questions on psychosocial work factors to screen for masked hypertension and how workplace interventions can decrease adverse psychosocial exposures to lower BP.

Race and sex differences in ambulatory blood pressure measures among HIV+ adults

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can identify phenotypes that cannot be measured in the clinic. Determining race and sex disparities in ABPM measures among HIV+ individuals may improve strategies to diagnose and treat hypertension in this high-risk population. We compared ABPM measures between 24 African-American and 25 white HIV+ adults (36 men and 13 women). Awake systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were similar in African-Americans and whites. After multivariable adjustment, sleep SBP and DBP were 9.7 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 4.7, 14.8) and 8.4 mm Hg (95% CI: 4.3, 12.5) higher, respectively, among African-Americans compared with whites. After multivariable adjustment, SBP and DBP dipping ratios were 5.2% (95% CI: 1.7%, 8.7%) and 6.1% (95% CI 2.0%, 10.3%) smaller among African-Americans compared with whites. After multivariable adjustment, awake and sleep SBP and DBP were higher in men compared to women. There was no difference in SBP or DBP dipping ratios comparing men and women. The prevalence of awake masked hypertension was 42% in men versus 17% in women, and the prevalence of sleep masked hypertension was 57% among African-Americans versus 18% among whites. These data suggest that ABPM measures differ by race and sex in HIV+ adults.

Effects of psychotherapy in combination with pharmacotherapy, when compared to pharmacotherapy only on blood pressure, depression, and anxiety in female patients with hypertension

We investigated effects of metacognitive detached mindfulness therapy and stress management training on hypertension and symptoms of depression and anxiety, as compared to a control condition. A total of 45 female patients (mean age: M = 36.49 years) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: metacognitive detached mindfulness therapy, stress management training, and the control condition. Blood pressure and symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased from baseline to post-test, to follow-up. Group comparisons showed that blood pressure and symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased more in psychotherapeutic groups than in the control group. Psychotherapeutic treatment of hypertension reduced blood pressure and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Positive effects were observable at follow-up 8 weeks later.

Blood Pressure Out of the Office: Its Time Has Finally Come

The diagnosis of hypertension includes measurement of blood pressure out of the office by either 24-hour ambulatory monitoring or home blood pressure monitoring. These methods have led to recognition of "white coat hypertension" (WCH) and "masked hypertension" (MH). Research in the 1930s first demonstrated that blood pressures in the office were often far different from those out of the office, at a time when there was no effective treatment. International attention was focused on another imminent world war and a highly controversial election in the United States. Hypertension was not a priority for concern. From the 1950s onward: (i) epidemiology linked hypertension to risk of cardiovascular disease, (ii) effective and safe drugs for treatment of hypertension appeared, (iii) randomized clinical trials demonstrated that drug treatment of hypertension is highly effective for prevention of cardiovascular disease, and (iv) advances in technology led to development of small, portable devices for recording blood pressure noninvasively at home or during usual activities. Accurate measurement of blood pressure in "real life" is now necessary and feasible for appropriate diagnosis and assessment of treatment. Out-of-office blood pressure measurement is emerging as the standard of care for hypertension.

Mechanisms Influencing Circadian Blood Pressure Patterns Among Individuals with HIV

HIV+ individuals have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the mechanisms behind this association are poorly understood. While hypertension is a well-established CVD risk factor, clinic-based blood pressure (BP) assessment by itself cannot identify several important BP patterns, including white coat hypertension, masked hypertension, nighttime hypertension, and nighttime BP dipping. These BP patterns can be identified over a 24-h period by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). In this review, we provide an overview of the potential value of conducting ABPM in HIV+ individuals. ABPM phenotypes associated with increased CVD risk include masked hypertension (i.e., elevated out-of-clinic BP despite non-elevated clinic BP), nighttime hypertension, and a non-dipping BP pattern (i.e., a drop in BP of <10 % from daytime to nighttime). These adverse ABPM phenotypes may be highly relevant in the setting of HIV infection, given that increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, high psychosocial burden, high prevalence of sleep disturbance, and autonomic dysfunction have been commonly reported in HIV+ persons. Additionally, although antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with lower AIDS-related morbidity and CVD risk, the mitochondrial toxicity, oxidative stress, lipodystrophy, and insulin resistance associated with long-term ART use potentially lead to adverse ABPM phenotypes. Existing data on ABPM phenotypes in the setting of HIV are limited, but suggest an increased prevalence of a non-dipping BP pattern. In conclusion, identifying ABPM phenotypes may provide crucial information regarding the mechanisms underlying the excess CVD risk in HIV+ individuals.

Job Burnout, Work Engagement and Self-reported Treatment for Health Conditions in South Africa

The purpose of the study being reported here was to investigate the relationship of job burnout and work engagement with self-reported received treatment for health conditions (cardiovascular condition, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome), while controlling for age, gender, smoking and alcohol use. The sample comprised 7895 employees from a broad range of economic sectors in the South African working population. A cross-sectional survey design was used for the study. Structural equation modelling methods were implemented with a weighted least squares approach. The results showed that job burnout had a positive relationship with self-reported received treatment for depression, diabetes, hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome. Work engagement did not have any significant negative or positive relationships with the treatment for these health conditions. The results of this study make stakeholders aware of the relationship between job burnout, work engagement and self-reported treatment for health conditions. Evidence for increased reporting of treatment for ill-health conditions due to burnout was found. Therefore, attempts should be made to manage job burnout to prevent ill-health outcomes.

Examination of Several Physiological and Psychosocial Factors Potentially Associated With Masked Hypertension Among Low-Risk Adults

The authors examined the association of factors, in addition to prehypertensive office blood pressure (BP) level, that might improve detection of masked hypertension (MH), defined as nonelevated office BP with elevated out-of-office BP average, among individuals at otherwise low risk. This sample of 340 untreated adults 30 years and older with average office BP <140/90 mm Hg all had two sets of paired office BP measurements and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) sessions 1 week apart. Other than BP levels, the only factors that were associated (at P<.10) with MH at both sets were male sex (75% vs 66%) and working outside the home (72% vs 59% for the first set and 71% vs 45% for the second set). Adding these variables to BP level in the model did not appreciably improve detection of MH. No demographic, clinical, or psychosocial measures that improved upon prehypertension as a potential predictor of MH in this sample were found.

Unmasking masked hypertension: prevalence, clinical implications, diagnosis, correlates and future directions

'Masked hypertension' is defined as having non-elevated clinic blood pressure (BP) with elevated out-of-clinic average BP, typically determined by ambulatory BP monitoring. Approximately 15-30% of adults with non-elevated clinic BP have masked hypertension. Masked hypertension is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with sustained normotension (non-elevated clinic and ambulatory BP), which is similar to or approaching the risk associated with sustained hypertension (elevated clinic and ambulatory BP). The confluence of increased cardiovascular risk and a failure to be diagnosed by the conventional approach of clinic BP measurement makes masked hypertension a significant public health concern. However, many important questions remain. First, the definition of masked hypertension varies across studies. Further, the best approach in the clinical setting to exclude masked hypertension also remains unknown. It is unclear whether home BP monitoring is an adequate substitute for ambulatory BP monitoring in identifying masked hypertension. Few studies have examined the mechanistic pathways that may explain masked hypertension. Finally, scarce data are available on the best approach to treating individuals with masked hypertension. Herein, we review the current literature on masked hypertension including definition, prevalence, clinical implications, special patient populations, correlates, issues related to diagnosis, treatment and areas for future research.

How should we manage a patient with masked hypertension?

A number of studies have shown that masked hypertension (MH) confers an increased risk of target organ damage and of cardiovascular events suggesting that patients with MH would benefit from antihypertensive treatment. However, there is no general agreement about how this condition should be diagnosed. Although ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and self blood pressure measurement (SBPM) provide different and complementary clinical information, the recently published ESH/ESC guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension suggest that for initial assessment of the patient, SBPM may be more suitable in primary care and ABPM in specialist care. If SBPM provides borderline values it is advisable to confirm the diagnosis of MH with ABPM. As the prevalence of MH declines with repeated ABPMs the diagnosis of MH should be based on at least two ABPMs. Patients with MH should undergo a careful diagnostic work-up to assess the existence of additional risk factors including a worsened metabolic profile and the presence of target organ involvement. Treatment of the patient with MH should initially be addressed to improve the patient's lifestyle in order to decrease out-of-office blood pressure and to ameliorate metabolic data. If non-pharmacological measures are insufficient to normalize blood pressure, MH may benefit from pharmacological treatment but no clinical trial has been implemented as yet with the specific purpose of testing this hypothesis. Despite this lack of evidence, the 2013 ESH/ESC guidelines have recommended that in patients with MH also drug treatment should be considered because in patients with MH the risk of adverse outcome is very close to that in sustained hypertension. When ambulatory blood pressure is measured, pharmacological treatment may be modulated according to whether blood pressure is elevated during daytime hours or during sleep.

Working conditions and masked hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Masked hypertension, i.e., normal clinic blood pressure but elevated blood pressure during normal daily activities as measured by ambulatory monitoring, is a common problem and a serious cardiovascular risk factor. Given previously reported associations between work stressors and ambulatory blood pressure, an inquiry into the relationship between work stressors and masked hypertension is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between working conditions and masked hypertension.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Hospital and home care employers in New York City.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five male and 119 female hospital and home care employee volunteers wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor during working hours.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Masked hypertension was defined as work systolic ambulatory blood pressure ≥135 mmHg or diastolic ambulatory blood pressure ≥85 mmHg, and casual blood pressure <140/90 mmHg with no use of antihypertensive medications. Associations between work stressors and masked hypertension were tested by multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Masked hypertension, observed in 24.0% of males and 17.6% of females with normal casual office obtained blood pressure, was associated with evening, night or rotating shiftwork (odds ratio (OR) 8.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11-40.31) and with the combination of job strain and effort-reward imbalance (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.02-8.60) after controlling for age. Associations remained substantial, and statistically significant for shiftwork, after individual adjustment for each of 10 potential confounders. Masked hypertension was not associated with total weekly work hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Masked hypertension is a significant individual and public health concern. Additional research is needed to clarify the role of work-related risk factors in the development of masked hypertension, and to develop an appropriate clinical and public health strategy for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Prevalence, management, and control of hypertension among US workers: does occupation matter?

OBJECTIVE

The role of occupation in the management of cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension is not well known.

METHODS

We analyzed the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data of 6928 workers aged 20 years or older from 40 occupational groups. Hypertension was defined as measured blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or greater or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication, treatment as use of antihypertensive medication, awareness as ever being told by a doctor about having hypertension, and control as having blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg among treated participants.

RESULTS

Protective service workers ranked among the lowest in awareness (50.6%), treatment (79.3%), and control (47.7%) and had lower odds of hypertension control and treatment compared with executive/administrative/managerial workers, adjusting for sociodemographic, body-weight, smoking, and alcohol.

CONCLUSIONS

Protective service workers may benefit the most from worksite hypertension management programs.

Job strain and ambulatory blood pressure: a meta-analysis and systematic review

We reviewed evidence of the relationship between job strain and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in 29 studies (1985-2012). We conducted a quantitative meta-analysis on 22 cross-sectional studies of a single exposure to job strain. We systematically reviewed 1 case-control study, 3 studies of cumulative exposure to job strain, and 3 longitudinal studies. Single exposure to job strain in cross-sectional studies was associated with higher work systolic and diastolic ABP. Associations were stronger in men than women and in studies of broad-based populations than those with limited occupational variance. Biases toward the null were common, suggesting that our summary results underestimated the true association. Job strain is a risk factor for blood pressure elevation. Workplace surveillance programs are needed to assess the prevalence of job strain and high ABP and to facilitate workplace cardiovascular risk reduction interventions.

Stress and cardiovascular disease: an update on current knowledge

Considerable progress has been made during the past decade in research on cardiovascular effects of stress. Early-life stressors, such as childhood abuse and early socioeconomic adversity, are linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity in adulthood. Our updated meta-analyses of prospective studies published until 2011 show a 1.5-fold (95% confidence interval 1.2-1.9) increased risk of coronary heart disease among adults experiencing social isolation and a 1.3-fold (1.2-1.5) excess risk for workplace stress; adverse metabolic changes are one of the underlying plausible mechanisms. Stress, anger, and depressed mood can act as acute triggers of major cardiac events; the pooled relative risk of acute coronary syndrome onset being preceded by stress is 2.5 (1.8-3.5) in case-crossover studies. Stress is also implicated in the prognosis of cardiovascular disease and in the development of stress (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy. A major challenge over the next decade is to incorporate stress processes into the mainstream of cardiovascular pathophysiological research and understanding.

Cardiovascular dysfunctions and sympathovagal imbalance in hypertension and prehypertension: physiological perspectives

Hypertension (HTN) and prehypertension (pre-HTN) have been identified as independent risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events. Recently, increased psychosocial stress and work stress have contributed to the increased prevalence of HTN and pre-HTN, in addition to the contribution of obesity, diabetes, poor food habits and physical inactivity. Irrespective of the etiology, sympathetic overactivity has been recognized as the main pathophysiologic mechanism in the genesis of HTN and pre-HTN. Sympathovagal imbalance owing to sympathetic overactivity and vagal withdrawal is reported to be the basis of many clinical disorders. However, the role played by vagal withdrawal has been under-reported. In this review, we have analyzed the pathophysiologic involvement of sympathovagal imbalance in the development of HTN and pre-HTN, and the link of sympathovagal imbalance to cardiovascular dysfunctions. We have emphasized that adaptation to a healthier lifestyle will help improve sympathovagal homeostasis and prevent the occurrence of HTN and pre-HTN.

Job strain as a risk factor for coronary heart disease: a collaborative meta-analysis of individual participant data

BACKGROUND

Published work assessing psychosocial stress (job strain) as a risk factor for coronary heart disease is inconsistent and subject to publication bias and reverse causation bias. We analysed the relation between job strain and coronary heart disease with a meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies.

METHODS

We used individual records from 13 European cohort studies (1985-2006) of men and women without coronary heart disease who were employed at time of baseline assessment. We measured job strain with questions from validated job-content and demand-control questionnaires. We extracted data in two stages such that acquisition and harmonisation of job strain measure and covariables occurred before linkage to records for coronary heart disease. We defined incident coronary heart disease as the first non-fatal myocardial infarction or coronary death.

FINDINGS

30,214 (15%) of 197,473 participants reported job strain. In 1·49 million person-years at risk (mean follow-up 7·5 years [SD 1·7]), we recorded 2358 events of incident coronary heart disease. After adjustment for sex and age, the hazard ratio for job strain versus no job strain was 1·23 (95% CI 1·10-1·37). This effect estimate was higher in published (1·43, 1·15-1·77) than unpublished (1·16, 1·02-1·32) studies. Hazard ratios were likewise raised in analyses addressing reverse causality by exclusion of events of coronary heart disease that occurred in the first 3 years (1·31, 1·15-1·48) and 5 years (1·30, 1·13-1·50) of follow-up. We noted an association between job strain and coronary heart disease for sex, age groups, socioeconomic strata, and region, and after adjustments for socioeconomic status, and lifestyle and conventional risk factors. The population attributable risk for job strain was 3·4%.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings suggest that prevention of workplace stress might decrease disease incidence; however, this strategy would have a much smaller effect than would tackling of standard risk factors, such as smoking.

FUNDING

Finnish Work Environment Fund, the Academy of Finland, the Swedish Research Council for Working Life and Social Research, the German Social Accident Insurance, the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment, the BUPA Foundation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and the US National Institutes of Health.

Occupational stress and hypertension

Occupational stress, or job strain, resulting from a lack of balance between job demands and job control, is considered one of the frequent factors in the etiology of hypertension in modern society. Stress, with its multifactorial causes, is complex and difficult to analyze at the physiological and psychosocial levels. The possible relation between job strain and blood pressure levels has been extensively studied, but the literature is replete with conflicting results regarding the relationship between the two. Further analysis of this relationship, including the many facets of job strain, may lead to operative proposals at the individual and public health levels designed to reduce the effects on health and well-being. In this article, we review the literature on the subject, discussing the various methodologies, confounding variables, and suggested approaches for a healthier work environment.