Nighttime blood pressure dipping in young adults and coronary artery calcium 10-15 years later: the coronary artery risk development in young adults study

While You Are Sleeping: Marital Ambivalence and Blunted Nocturnal Blood Pressure

Marital relationships offer health benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, quality of the relationship matters; ambivalent behaviors may increase CVD risk by affecting blunted nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping. This study tracked daytime and nocturnal SBP and DBP in 180 normotensive individuals (90 couples; participant mean age 25.04; 91.58% white) over a 24 h period using ambulatory blood pressure monitors to explore the impact of martial quality. Results showed that perceptions of spousal ambivalence were associated with blunted nocturnal BP dipping. Perceptions of one's own behavior as ambivalent also showed blunted nocturnal dipping. When in an ambivalent relationship, a gender interaction was found such that women were most likely to have blunted SBP dipping, but men were more likely to have blunted nocturnal DBP dipping. Overall, this study found an association between ambivalence and BP dipping, thus uncovering one virtually unexplored pathway by which marital relationships may have adverse effects on health.

Sex difference in nocturnal blood pressure dipping in adolescents with varying degrees of adiposity

BACKGROUND

For adolescents, abnormal dipping patterns in blood pressure (BP) are associated with early-onset organ damage and a higher risk of cardiovascular disorders in adulthood. Obesity is one of the most common reasons for abnormal BP dipping in young people. However, it is unknown whether the severity of obesity is associated with BP dipping status and whether this association is sex-dependent.

METHODS

499 participants between 12 and 17 years old with overweight or obesity underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) between April 2018 and January 2019 in Beijing and Baoding. Participants were grouped by body mass index (BMI) into overweight (BMI 85th-95th percentile), obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) and severely obese (BMI ≥ 120% of 95th percentile or ≥ 35 kg/m2) groups. Non-dipping was defined as a < 10% reduction in BP from day to night. The interaction effect between sex and obesity degree was also analyzed.

RESULTS

326 boys and 173 girls were included, of whom 130 were overweight, 189 were obese, and 180 were severely obese. Girls with severe obesity had a higher prevalence of non-dipping, but boys showed no significant differences in BP dipping status between obesity categories. In addition, as obesity severity went up, a more evident increase in night-time SBP was observed in girls than in boys.

CONCLUSIONS

Severely obese is associated with a higher prevalence of non-BP dipping patterns in girls than in boys, which suggests that the relationship between the severity of obesity and BP dipping status might be sex-specific.

Evaluating Total Atherosclerosis Burden of Baroreceptor-Resident Arteries after Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease for Identifying Patients with Heavy Coronary Atherosclerosis Burden

AIM

The carotid sinuses and aortic arch are baroreceptor-resident arteries (BRAs) and atherosclerosis-susceptible sites of brain-supplying arteries, which would impair baroreflex-mediated blood pressure (BP) regulation and prompt coronary atherosclerosis. We sought to determine the relationship between total atherosclerosis burden (TAB) of BRAs and coronary atherosclerosis burden (AB) in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) and explore the potential contribution of BP profiles to this relationship.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional analysis of patients with ICVD who simultaneously undertook computed tomography angiography and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, TAB of BRAs was scored based on the atherosclerotic vessel circumference ratio of the carotid sinuses and aortic arch, while the ABs of the intracranial, cervical, aortic, and coronary arteries were scored based on stenosis severity and plaque complexity as routine.

RESULTS

Among the 230 patients analyzed, coronary AB was significantly correlated with TAB of BRAs, independently of, and more tightly than the ABs of the intracranial, cervical, and aortic arteries, and the stenosis- and complexity-based AB of BRA-located arteries (bilateral common and extracranial internal carotid arteries and aortic arch). Both coronary AB and TAB of BRAs were negatively associated with the night-to-day BP dipping ratios, which was quite different from the relationship between intracranial AB and 24-hour BP characteristics. These findings were also true for patients with ICVD without a history of coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSION

Evaluating TAB of BRAs might provide a new link between atherosclerosis of brain- and heart-supplying arteries, connected partially by BP circadian rhythm. It might facilitate identifying patients with ICVD with heavy coronary AB and comprehensively managing vascular risk.

Association between short-term blood pressure variability and target organ damage in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with target organ damage in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

A cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted among 3442 non-dialysis CKD patients hospitalized in the department of Nephrology of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2017 to July 2022 and collected the demographic, laboratory, clinic blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure data, and short-term BPV assessed by the weighted standard deviation (wSD) derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Multivariate logistic analyses were used to evaluate the independent effects between short-term BPV and subclinical target organ damage, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), abnormal carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and albuminuria.

RESULTS

The average age of the participants was 47.53 ± 14.06 years and 56% of participants were male. The baseline eGFR was 69 mL/min/1.73 m2. Based on the tertile distribution of wSD according to equal numbers, patients were divided into three categories with T1(< 9.66 mmHg), T2(9.66-12.23 mmHg), and T3(> 12.23 mmHg) of SBPV; T1(< 8.17 mmHg), T2(8.17-9.93 mmHg), and T3(> 9.93 mmHg) of DBPV. The participants with the higher wSD group had a higher prevalence of target organ damage than their counterparts (P-trend < 0.05). An increasing trend in short-term variability was present with advancing CKD stages (P-trend < 0.001). Multivariate logistic analyses results showed that the odds ratio (OR) of SBP wSD was (1.07 [1.03,1.11], P < 0.001) for LVH, (1.04 [1.01,1.07, P = 0.029) for abnormal CIMT, (1.05 [1.02,1.08], P = 0.002) for low eGFR, and (1.06 [1.02,1.09], P = 0.002) for albuminuria; The OR of DBP wSD was (1.07 [1.02,1.12], P = 0.005) for LVH, (1.05 [1.01,1.09], P = 0.028) for abnormal CIMT, (1.05 [1.01,1.09], P = 0.022) for low eGFR, and (1.05 [1.01,1.10], P = 0.025) for albuminuria when adjusted for confounding factors and mean BP.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, short-term BPV is associated with target organ damage, and irresponsible of average blood pressure levels, in Chinese non-dialysis CKD participants.

Evaluation of the Diurnal Cycle of Blood Pressure and Sleep in Shift Workers

BACKGROUND

Circadian misalignment of physiological factors in shift workers is poorly studied in the Indian population. In the present study, 24-hour blood pressure measurements were taken on the same subject twice, once during his morning and night shifts. Sleep was also monitored by a self-reported sleep diary, which was confirmed with an activity monitor, and the sleep quality was assessed using sleep questionnaires.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to discover the pattern of blood pressure variation, the dipping and non-dipping status, and its correlation with sleep.

METHODOLOGY

This observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, from April 2019 to September 2019, among security guards working rotating shifts in the Rishikesh hospital premises. Participants were given an activity sheet with instructions to document their daily activities for a complete 24-hour period on the designated measurement day, including recording the time of waking up and going to sleep. A wrist-worn activity monitor was utilised to assess the self-reported sleep duration provided by each participant on the activity sheet.

RESULTS

The present study showed the mean age of the participants as 27.03 ± 2.71 years, along with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.10 ± 1.64. Sleep duration was significantly higher during the morning shift (5.81 ± 1.08 hours) compared to the night shift (4.02 ± 1.70 hours) on the day of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recording. The mean difference in systolic blood pressure between night shift workers between their awake and sleep periods was 15.91 ± 8.44 mmHg. However, no statistically significant disparity was seen when comparing the systolic blood pressure at the 24-hour mark during wakefulness and sleep between those working morning and night shifts (p >0.05).

CONCLUSION

The current study's findings indicate that participation in shift work, particularly night shift work, could potentially play a role in the emergence of irregular circadian blood pressure patterns and potentially lead to a lack of nocturnal blood pressure decline.

Effects of Nondipping Blood Pressure Changes: A Nephrologist Prospect

Blood pressure (BP) variations depend on various internal, environmental, and behavioral factors. BP fluctuations occur both in normotensive and hypertensive people. Although it fluctuates over the 24-hr day and night, the morning BP increases after waking up and declines throughout sleep. It is typical for BP to decrease by 10% to 20%, while sleeping, known as dipping BP. However, if there is no decrease in nighttime mean systolic BP or a drop of less than 10 mmHg, it is called nondipping BP. Conversely, reverse dipping BP means an increase in mean systolic BP instead of a drop during the night. Reverse dipping is observed in hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome. The introduction of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) led to the emergence of identifying normal and elevated BP patterns. Non-dipping BP increases the risk of cardiovascular system (CVS) complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reduction, and CKD progression. A loss or blunting of the normal BP profile is recognized as a deleterious variant, and restoring abnormal BP patterns has been reported to significantly impact end-organ damage, morbidity, and mortality. In this non-systematic clinically-oriented, comprehensive review, we aim to update the BP variables and the pathophysiology of nondipping BP and point out the areas which need more investigation from a nephrology perspective because the nondipping BP increases the risk of proteinuria, GFR reduction, and CKD progression. A literature search of PubMed, Google, EMBASE, and Google Scholar was conducted. Checks of selected papers and relevant reviews complemented the electronic search. With improved BP measurement methods, the physiology of BP profile variations is readily detectable during the day and night. A nondipping BP profile is a distinct BP pattern that may have significant end-organ damage effects and therapeutic importance for nephrologists. The pathophysiology of the nondipping BP variant must be clarified to prevent complications, and further investigations are required. Furthermore, there is debate about the best BP index to utilize: systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, or a mixture of all. All these areas are important and need new research projects.

Nocturnal Dipping and Kidney Function Decline: Findings From the CKD in Children Study

Introduction

Normally, blood pressure (BP) declines by at least 10% from daytime to nighttime. In adults, blunted nocturnal dipping has been associated with more rapid decline in kidney function. Nondipping is prevalent in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We sought to determine whether nondipping is associated with proteinuria and progression to kidney failure in children with CKD.

Methods

In the prospective CKD in children (CKiD) cohort, Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationship between baseline nondipping and progression to kidney failure. Linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the relationship between nondipping and changes in iohexol glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (log-UPCR, mg/mg) over time.

Results

Among 620 participants, mean age was 11 (± 4) years, mean iohexol GFR was 52 (± 22) ml/min per 1.73 m2, and 40% were nondippers at baseline. There were 169 kidney failure events during 2.9 years (median) of follow-up. Dipping status was not significantly associated with kidney failure overall (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77, 1.51) or in those with (HR 1.21; 95% CI 0.53, 2.77) or without (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.71, 1.55) glomerular disease. Dipping status did not modify the relationship between time and change in iohexol GFR or log (UPCR) from baseline (interaction P values = 0.20 and 0.054, respectively).

Conclusion

Nondipping is not associated with end-stage kidney disease, GFR decline, or change in proteinuria within the CKiD cohort.

Differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate are associated with different patterns of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in the general population

BACKGROUND

Alterations of the circadian blood pressure rhythm are associated with cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. We investigated the relationship between 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) patterns and eGFR differences in participants without chronic kidney disease.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the ongoing Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, which involves 1733 participants (age, 60 ± 7 years; 938 women) with an eGFR >60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The blood pressure dipping status was stratified as reverse-dipper (<0%), nondipper (0 to <10%), and dipper (≥10%). They were also categorized into eGFR quartiles (Q4, 128.6-101.6; Q3, 101.5-95.7; Q2, 95.6-87.4; and Q1, 87.3-60.5), and Q4 was fixed as the reference.

RESULTS

The proportion of dippers progressively decreased and the proportions of reverse and nondippers significantly increased from the highest to the lowest eGFR quartile (P < 0.001). In the univariate analyses, the Q1 and Q2 groups were significantly associated with increasing odds ratios (ORs) for the nondipper, reverse-dipper, and nondipper plus reverse-dipper groups. After adjustment, the lowest eGFR group was significantly associated with the reverse-dipper and nondipper plus reverse-dipper patterns in comparison with the highest eGFR group [OR = 1.685, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.002-2.834; OR = 1.422, 95% CI, 1.023-1.978, respectively). The significant linear trend for an association of the nondipper plus reverse-dipper pattern with a decrease in eGFR was confirmed with the test for trend (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Differences in eGFR are associated with different 24-h ABPM patterns in non-CKD individuals. ABPM can identify individuals with a nondipper status in this population.

Proteinuria and nocturnal blood pressure dipping in hypertensive children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The absence of nocturnal blood pressure dipping is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in adults, and proteinuria is a risk factor for non-dipping in this population. Risk factors for non-dipping in children are largely unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients aged 5-19 years who underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) from August 2018 to January 2019 and had a spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (PCR) within 1 year of their ABPM. Dipping was defined as ≥10% reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from day to night. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models evaluated the association of proteinuria with non-dipping.

RESULTS

Among 77 children identified, 27 (35.1%) were non-dippers. Each two-fold higher urine PCR was associated with 38% higher odds of non-dipping, after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). Higher urine PCR was also associated with a lower diastolic dipping percentage by 1.33 (95% confidence interval 0.31-2.34), after adjusting for BMI, age, and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Limitations of this study include its retrospective design and the time lapse between urine PCR and ABPM. Proteinuria appears to be associated with blood pressure non-dipping in children. This finding needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.

IMPACT

Our study demonstrates the association of proteinuria with non-dipping of blood pressure in children. This association has been explored in adults, but to our knowledge, this is the first time it is evaluated in children referred for evaluation of elevated blood pressure. Non-dipping is a modifiable risk factor for kidney function decline and cardiovascular disease in adulthood, and thus early identification in children is important. The association between proteinuria and non-dipping in children will allow us to more readily identify those at risk, with a future focus on interventions to modify blood pressure dipping patterns.

Actigraphy-derived rest-activity rhythms are associated with nocturnal blood pressure in young women

INTRODUCTION

Misalignment between lifestyle behaviors and endogenous circadian rhythms is associated with elevated nocturnal blood pressure (BP) in experimental studies; however, less is known about free-living (i.e. nonlaboratory) circadian disruption and nocturnal BP. Additionally, sex-specific cardiovascular implications of circadian disruption are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between rest--activity rhythms (RAR), a field-based estimate of circadian disruption, and nocturnal BP characteristics in male and female young adults.

METHODS

Fifty participants (20 ± 1 years; 20 men/30 women) underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring following 14 days of wrist actigraphy. RAR variables of interdaily stability (day-to-day consistency in RAR), intradaily variability (within-day fragmentation of RAR), and relative amplitude (difference between peak vs. trough activity) were derived from actigraphy. Multivariable regression models of mean nocturnal SBP, DBP, and SBP dipping were generated to test main associations with RAR variables, and sex × RAR interactions. Daytime BP, race, BMI, physical activity, sleep duration, alcohol, caffeine, and sodium intake were considered as covariates.

RESULTS

In the full sample, no main associations between RAR and nocturnal BP characteristics were found. Sex interacted with RAR such that in women, higher interdaily stability (β = -5.39, 95% CI = -10.04 to -0.73, P = 0.024) and relative amplitude (β = -4.78, 95% CI = -9.22 to -0.34, P = 0.036) were both associated with lower nocturnal SBP. Sex-stratified multivariable models of nocturnal BP also revealed associations between interdaily stability and relative amplitude with SBP dipping in women (all P ≤ 0.01). No associations were apparent in men.

CONCLUSION

Consistent and high-amplitude RAR are favorably associated with nocturnal BP characteristics in young female adults.

Association Between Morning Surge in Systolic Blood Pressure and SYNTAX Score I in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

A high morning surge in systolic blood pressure poses a risk in people who have cardiovascular disease. We investigated the relationship between this phenomenon and the SYNTAX score I in patients who had stable coronary artery disease. Our single-center study included 125 consecutive patients (109 men and 16 women; mean age, 54.3 ± 9 yr) in whom coronary angiography revealed stable coronary artery disease. We calculated each patient's sleep-trough morning surge in systolic blood pressure, then calculated the SYNTAX score I. The morning surge was significantly higher in patients whose score was >22 (mean, 22.7 ± 13.2) than in those whose score was ≤22 (mean, 12.4 ± 7.5) (P <0.001). Forward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that morning surge in systolic blood pressure was the only independent predictor of an intermediate-to-high score (odds ratio=1.183; 95% CI, 1.025-1.364; P=0.021). To our knowledge, this is the first study to show an association between morning surge in systolic blood pressure and the SYNTAX score I in patients who have stable coronary artery disease.

Blood Pressure in Young Adults and Cardiovascular Disease Later in Life

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality has declined markedly over the past several decades among middle-age and older adults in the United States. However, young adults (18-39 years of age) have had a lower rate of decline in CVD mortality. This trend may be related to the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) having increased among young US adults. Additionally, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension are low among US adults between 20 and 39 years of age. Many young adults and healthcare providers may not be aware of the impact of high BP during young adulthood on their later life, the associations of BP patterns with adverse outcomes later in life, and benefit-to-harm ratios of pharmacological treatment. This review provides a synthesis of the related resources available in the literature to better understand BP-related CVD risk among young adults and better identify BP patterns and levels during young adulthood that are associated with CVD events later in life, and lastly, to clarify future challenges in BP management for young adults.

Napping on the night shift and its impact on blood pressure and heart rate variability among emergency medical services workers: study protocol for a randomized crossover trial

BACKGROUND

There is an emerging body of evidence that links exposure to shift work to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk of coronary events, such as myocardial infarction, is greater among night shift workers compared to day workers. There is reason to believe that repeated exposure to shift work, especially night shift work, creates alterations in normal circadian patterns of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) and that these alterations contribute to increased risk of CVD. Recent data suggest that allowing shift workers to nap during night shifts may help to normalize BP and HRV patterns and, over time, reduce the risk of CVD. The risk of CVD related to shift work is elevated for emergency medical services (EMS) shift workers due in part to long-duration shifts, frequent use of night shifts, and a high prevalence of multiple jobs.

METHODS

We will use a randomized crossover trial study design with three study conditions. The targeted population is comprised of EMS clinician shift workers, and our goal enrollment is 35 total participants with an estimated 10 of the 35 enrolled not completing the study protocol or classified as lost to attrition. All three conditions will involve continuous monitoring over 72 h and will begin with a 36-h at-home period, followed by 24 total hours in the lab (including a 12-h simulated night shift), ending with 12 h at home. The key difference between the three conditions is the intra-shift nap. Condition 1 will involve a simulated 12-h night shift with total sleep deprivation. Condition 2 will involve a simulated 12-h night shift and a 30-min nap opportunity. Condition 3 will involve a simulated 12-h night shift with a 2-h nap opportunity. Our primary outcomes of interest include blunted BP dipping and reduced HRV as measured by the standard deviation of the inter-beat intervals of normal sinus beats. Non-dipping status will be defined as sleep hours BP dip of less than 10%.

DISCUSSION

Our study will address two indicators of cardiovascular health and determine if shorter or longer duration naps during night shifts have a clinically meaningful impact.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04469803 . Registered on 9 July 2020.

Should public safety shift workers be allowed to nap while on duty?

Fatigue and sleep deficiency among public safety personnel are threats to wellness, public and personal safety, and workforce retention. Napping strategies may reduce work-related fatigue, improve safety and health, yet in some public safety organizations it is discouraged or prohibited. Our aim with this commentary is to define intra-shift napping, summarize arguments for and against it, and to outline potential applications of this important fatigue mitigation strategy supported by evidence. We focus our discussion on emergency medical services (EMS); a key component of the public safety system, which is comprised of police, fire, and EMS. The personnel who work in EMS stand to benefit from intra-shift napping due to frequent use of extended duration shifts, a high prevalence of personnel working multiple jobs, and evidence showing that greater than half of EMS personnel report severe fatigue, poor sleep quality, inadequate inter-shift recovery, and excessive daytime sleepiness. The benefits of intra-shift napping include decreased sleepiness and fatigue, improved recovery between shifts, decreased anxiety, and reduced feelings of burnout. Intra-shift napping also mitigates alterations in clinician blood pressure associated with disturbed sleep and shift work. The negative consequences of napping include negative public perception, acute performance deficits stemming from sleep inertia, and the potential costs associated with reduced performance. While there are valid arguments against intra-shift napping, we believe that the available scientific evidence favors it as a key component of fatigue mitigation and workplace wellness. We further believe that these arguments extend beyond EMS to all sectors of public safety.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring among emergency medical services night shift workers

OBJECTIVES

Higher 24-hour blood pressure (BP) and blunted BP dipping during sleep and night-time hours are associated with adverse health outcomes. Night shift work may affect 24-hour BP and dipping patterns, but empirical data in emergency medical services (EMS) clinician shift workers are sparse. We implemented ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in EMS workers to characterise BP during night shift work versus a non-workday, and sleep versus wake.

METHODS

Participants worked night shifts. Hourly ABPM and wrist actigraphy (to measure sleep) were collected during two 24-hour periods, one scheduled night shift and one non-workday. Blunted BP dipping was defined as a BP decrease of <10%.

RESULTS

Of 56 participants, 53 (53.6% female, mean age 26.5 (SD 7.5) years) completed the study. During daytime sleep on a workday, 49.1% of participants had blunted systolic BP (SBP) or diastolic BP (DBP) dipping. During night-time sleep on a non-workday, 25% had blunted SBP dipping and 3.9% blunted DBP dipping. Blunted SBP or DBP dipping occurred among all participants who did not nap during the night shift or who napped <60 min. Blunted SBP dipping occurred in only 14.3% of participants who napped 60-120 min.

CONCLUSIONS

During night shift work, the BP dipping of EMS shift workers is blunted; however, most who nap for 60 min or longer experience a healthy dip in BP. The potential health consequences of these observations in EMS clinicians warrant further study.

Expert panel consensus recommendations for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Asia: The HOPE Asia Network

Hypertension is an important public health issue because of its association with a number of significant diseases and adverse outcomes. However, there are important ethnic differences in the pathogenesis and cardio-/cerebrovascular consequences of hypertension. Given the large populations and rapidly aging demographic in Asian regions, optimal strategies to diagnose and manage hypertension are of high importance. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is an important out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement tool that should play a central role in hypertension detection and management. The use of ABPM is particularly important in Asia due to the specific features of hypertension in Asian patients, including a high prevalence of masked hypertension, disrupted BP variability with marked morning BP surge, and nocturnal hypertension. This HOPE Asia Network document summarizes region-specific literature on the relationship between ABPM parameters and cardiovascular risk and target organ damage, providing a rationale for consensus-based recommendations on the use of ABPM in Asia. The aim of these recommendations is to guide and improve clinical practice to facilitate optimal BP monitoring with the goal of optimizing patient management and expediting the efficient allocation of treatment and health care resources. This should contribute to the HOPE Asia Network mission of improving the management of hypertension and organ protection toward achieving "zero" cardiovascular events in Asia.

Minimally sufficient numbers of measurements for validation of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in chronic kidney disease

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) remains a reference standard, but the minimal number of ABPM readings required to diagnose hypertension has not been empirically validated. Among 360 patients with chronic kidney disease and 38 healthy controls, 24-hour blood pressure was recorded 2 times per hour during the night and 3 times per hour during the day. All subjects had at least 90% of the expected readings recorded. From this full set of ABPM recordings, we selected variable numbers of measurements and compared the performance of the selected readings against that of the full sample under either random or sequential sampling schemes. With 8 randomly selected systolic blood pressure readings, we were able to make diagnostic decisions in concordance with that from the full ABPM sample 91.0% of the time (kappa 0.804). With 15 randomly selected diastolic blood pressure readings, we made concordant decisions 96.3% of the time (kappa 0.810). A serial selection scheme generally required a greater number of readings to achieve the same levels of concordance with the full ABPM data. With a random selection scheme, 26 readings provided 95% confidence that the sample mean will be within 5 mm Hg of the true systolic blood pressure mean, and within 3.5 mm Hg of the true diastolic blood pressure mean.

Hyperfiltration, urinary albumin excretion, and ambulatory blood pressure in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at risk for hyperfiltration and elevated urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), which are early indicators of diabetic nephropathy. Adolescents with T1DM also develop early changes in blood pressure, cardiovascular structure, and function. Our aims were to define the relationships between hyperfiltration, ACR, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure over time in adolescents with T1DM. Normotensive, normoalbuminuric adolescents ( n = 98) with T1DM underwent baseline and 2-yr 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) estimated by cystatin C (Larsson equation), and ACR measurements. Linear regression models adjusted for diabetes duration, sex, and HbA1c were used to determine associations. Hyperfiltration (eGFR ≥ 133 ml/min) was present in 31% at baseline and 21% at 2-yr follow-up. Hyperfiltration was associated with greater odds of rapid GFR decline (>3 ml·min-1·yr-1) [OR: 5.33, 95%; CI: 1.87-15.17; P = 0.002] over 2 yr. Natural log of ACR at baseline was associated with greater odds of hyperfiltration (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.00-2.92; P = 0.049) and 2-yr follow-up (OR: 2.14, 95%; CI: 1.09-4.19; P = 0.03). One SD increase in eGFR, but not ln ACR, at 2-yr follow-up conferred greater odds of nighttime nondipping pattern (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.06-3.63; P = 0.03). Hyperfiltration was prevalent at baseline and at 2-yr follow-up, predicted rapid decline in GFR, and was related to ACR. Elevated GFR at 2-yr follow-up was associated with nighttime nondipping pattern. More work is needed to better understand early relationships between renal hemodynamic and systemic hemodynamic changes in adolescents with T1DM to reduce future cardiorenal complications.

Systematic Review: Exposure to Community Violence and Physical Health Outcomes in Youth

Objective

To systematically review the evidence for associations between exposure to community violence and physical health outcomes in children and adolescents.

Methods

A thorough search of multiple online databases and careful consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded a final 28 studies for detailed review. In addition to review of findings, studies were rated on overall quality based on study design.

Results

Seven categories of physical health outcomes emerged, including asthma/respiratory health, cardiovascular health, immune functioning, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, sleep problems, weight, and a general health category. There were mixed findings across these categories. Evidence for a positive association between community violence exposure and health problems was strongest in the cardiovascular health and sleep categories.

Conclusion

There is reason to believe that community violence exposure has an effect on some areas of physical health. Additional well-designed research that focuses on mechanisms as well as outcomes is warranted.

Primary Pediatric Hypertension: Current Understanding and Emerging Concepts

The rising prevalence of primary pediatric hypertension and its tracking into adult hypertension point to the importance of determining its pathogenesis to gain insights into its current and emerging management. Considering that the intricate control of BP is governed by a myriad of anatomical, molecular biological, biochemical, and physiological systems, multiple genes are likely to influence an individual's BP and susceptibility to develop hypertension. The long-term regulation of BP rests on renal and non-renal mechanisms. One renal mechanism relates to sodium transport. The impaired renal sodium handling in primary hypertension and salt sensitivity may be caused by aberrant counter-regulatory natriuretic and anti-natriuretic pathways. The sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems are examples of antinatriuretic pathways. An important counter-regulatory natriuretic pathway is afforded by the renal autocrine/paracrine dopamine system, aberrations of which are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, including that associated with obesity. We present updates on the complex interactions of these two systems with dietary salt intake in relation to obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. We review how insults during pregnancy such as maternal and paternal malnutrition, glucocorticoid exposure, infection, placental insufficiency, and treatments during the neonatal period have long-lasting effects in the regulation of renal function and BP. Moreover, these effects have sex differences. There is a need for early diagnosis, frequent monitoring, and timely management due to increasing evidence of premature target organ damage. Large controlled studies are needed to evaluate the long-term consequences of the treatment of elevated BP during childhood, especially to establish the validity of the current definition and treatment of pediatric hypertension.

Clinical and prognostic significance of a reverse dipping pattern on ambulatory monitoring: An updated review

Reverse or inverted dipping (ie, the phenomenon characterized by higher nighttime compared with daytime blood pressure values) is an alteration of circadian blood pressure rhythm frequently documented in hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea syndrome, and generally regarded as a harmful condition. Available literature on the clinical and prognostic implications of reverse dipping is scanty. The present article will review a number of relevant issues concerning reverse dipping, in particular: (1) its possible mechanisms; (2) prevalence and clinical correlates, (3) concomitant cardiac and extracardiac subclinical organ damage; (4) association with acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases; (5) prognostic value in predicting cardiovascular events and mortality; and (6) therapeutic interventions aimed at reverting this abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm.

Loss of nighttime blood pressure dipping as a risk factor for coronary artery calcification in nondialysis chronic kidney disease

Diurnal variations in blood pressure (BP) loss are closely associated with target organ damage and cardiovascular events. The quantity of coronary artery calcification (CAC) correlates with the atherosclerotic plaque burden, and an increased quantity indicates a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular events. This study investigated the nighttime diurnal variation in BP loss associated with CAC in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Of the 1958 participants, we enrolled 722 participants with CKD without a history of acute coronary syndrome or symptomatic coronary artery disease. CAC was measured with computed tomography. BP was measured using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Central BP was measured using a SphygmoCor waveform analysis system.Participants with CAC had significantly higher 24-hour systolic, daytime systolic, and nighttime systolic ambulatory BP and central systolic BP. The percentage of participants with dipping loss was significantly higher among those with CAC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that dipping loss and dipping ratio were independently associated with CAC after adjusting for traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors and other BP parameters, including measurements of office-measured BP and central BP. The dipping status improved risk prediction for CAC after considering traditional risk factors and office-measured BP, using the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement.Nighttime loss of diurnal variation in BP is an independent risk factor for CAC in CKD patients.

Perfect 24-h management of hypertension: clinical relevance and perspectives

Out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measured by home BP monitoring, or ambulatory BP monitoring, was demonstrated to be superior to office BP for the prediction of cardiovascular events. The J-HOP study of a nationwide Japanese cohort demonstrated that morning home BP is the best stroke predictor. In the prospective HONEST study of >21 000 hypertensives, on-treatment morning home BP was shown to be a strong predictor both of future coronary artery disease and stroke events. In subjects whose office BP was maintained at ⩾150 mm Hg, there was no increase in cardiovascular events when their morning systolic BP was well-controlled at <125 mm Hg. Since Asians show greater morning BP surges, it is particularly important for Asians to achieve 'perfect 24-hr BP control,' that is, the 24-h BP level, nocturnal BP dipping and BP variability including morning surge. The morning BP surge and the extremes of disrupted circadian rhythm (riser and extreme dipper patterns) are independent risks for stroke in hypertensives. A morning BP-guided approach is thus the first step toward perfect 24-h BP control, followed by the control of nocturnal hypertension. In the resonance hypothesis, the synergistic resonance of BP variability phenotypes would produce an extraordinary large 'dynamic BP surge' that can trigger a cardiovascular event, especially in high-risk patients with systemic hemodynamic atherothrombotic syndrome, a vicious cycle of exaggerated BP variability and vascular disease. In the future, information and communications technology and artificial intelligence technology with the innovation of wearable continuous surge BP monitoring will contribute to 'anticipation medicine' with the goal of zero cardiovascular events.

Blood pressure (BP) assessment-from BP level to BP variability

The assessment of blood pressure (BP) can be challenging in children, especially in very young individuals, due to their variable body size and lack of cooperation. In the absence of data relating BP with cardiovascular outcomes in children, there is a need to convert absolute BP values (in mmHg) into age-, gender- and height appropriate BP percentiles or Z-scores in order to compare a patient's BP with the BP of healthy children of the same age, but also of children of different ages. Traditionally, the interpretation of BP has been based mainly on the assessment of the BP level obtained by office, home or 24-h BP monitoring. Recent studies suggest that it is not only BP level (i.e. average BP) but also BP variability that is clinically important for the development of target organ damage, including the progression of chronic kidney disease. In this review we describe current methods to evaluate of BP level, outline available methods for BP variability assessment and discuss the clinical consequences of BP variability, including its potential role in the management of hypertension.

Blood pressure reverse dipping may associate with stable coronary artery disease in patients with essential hypertension: a cross-sectional study

The dipping variations of circadian blood pressure (BP) correlate closely with target-organ damages and cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BP reverse dipping and the prevalence of stable coronary artery disease (sCAD) in hypertensive patients. Clinical data and the results of 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were obtained from 718 hypertensive patients (390 males, mean age 59.6 ± 13.8 years) in a single centre in Northern China. Reverse dipping pattern was defined as nocturnal systolic BP (SBP) was higher than daytime SBP. A logistic regression model was applied to explore the independent risk factors of sCAD. The patients with BP reverse dipping accounted for 31.5% in sCAD group and 19.5% in control group (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, BP reverse dipping remained significantly associated with the prevalence of sCAD (Odds ratio [OR], 1.772; p = 0.027). Furthermore, the circadian decline rate of SBP was independently associated with sCAD (OR, 0.975; p = 0.043). The hypertensive patients with reverse BP dipping were found to be more frequently suffering from sCAD. BP reverse dipping examined with 24-hour ABPM may indicate sCAD.

Evidence and Perspectives on the 24-hour Management of Hypertension: Hemodynamic Biomarker-Initiated 'Anticipation Medicine' for Zero Cardiovascular Event

There are notable differences between Asians and Westerners regarding hypertension (HTN) and the relationship between HTN and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Asians show greater morning surges in blood pressure (BP) and a steeper slope illustrating the link between higher BP and the risk of CVD events. It is thus particularly important for Asian hypertensives to achieve 24-h BP control, including morning and night-time control. There are three components of 'perfect 24-h BP control:' the 24-h BP level, nocturnal BP dipping, and BP variability (BPV), such as the morning BP surge that can be assessed by ambulatory BP monitoring. The morning BP-guided approach using home BP monitoring (HBPM) is the first step toward perfect 24-h BP control, followed by the control of nocturnal HTN. We have been developing new HBPM devices that can measure nocturnal BP. BPV includes different time-phase variability from the shortest beat-by-beat, positional, diurnal, day-by-day, visit-to-visit, seasonal, and yearly changes. The synergistic resonance of each type of BPV would produce a great dynamic BP surge (resonance hypothesis), which triggers a CVD event, especially in the high-risk patients with systemic hemodynamic atherothrombotic syndrome (SHATS). In the future, the innovative management of HTN based on the simultaneous assessment of the resonance of all of the BPV phenotypes using a beat by beat wearable 'surge' BP monitoring device (WSP) and an information and communication technology (ICT)-based data analysis system will produce a paradigm shift from 'dots' BP management to 'seamless' ultimate individualized 'anticipation medication' for reaching a zero CVD event rate.

Morning Blood Pressure Surge, Dipping, and Risk of Coronary Events in Elderly Treated Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND

The independent prognostic significance of morning surge (MS) of blood pressure (BP) is not yet clear. We investigated the association between MS of systolic BP and risk of coronary events in elderly treated hypertensive patients.

METHODS

The occurrence of coronary events was evaluated in 1,191 elderly treated hypertensive patients (age range 60-90 years). Subjects were divided according to tertiles of MS of systolic BP of the population as a whole, by dipping status and by group-specific tertiles of MS of systolic BP in dippers and nondippers.

RESULTS

During the follow-up (9.1 ± 4.9 years, range 0.4-20 years), 120 coronary events occurred. In the population as a whole, coronary event risk was not significantly associated with tertiles of MS of systolic BP, whereas nondippers were at higher risk than dippers. When nondippers and dippers were analyzed separately, by group-specific tertiles of MS of systolic BP, coronary event risk was associated with MS of systolic BP in dippers but not in nondippers. After adjustment for various covariates, Cox regression analysis showed that dippers in the third tertile (>23 mm Hg) of MS of systolic BP (hazard ratio 1.912, 95% confidence interval 1.048-3.488, P = 0.03) and nondippers (hazard ratio 1.739, 95% confidence interval 1.074-2.815, P = 0.02) were at higher coronary event risk than dippers with MS of systolic BP <23 mm Hg .

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly treated hypertensive patients, high MS of systolic BP predicts coronary events in dippers but not in nondippers. Nondippers, however, show higher risk of coronary events independently of MS in systolic BP.

Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Young Adults and Cognitive Function in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

BACKGROUND

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) is associated with risk for cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between nocturnal BP in young adults and cognitive function in midlife remains unclear.

METHODS

We used data from the ambulatory BP monitoring substudy of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study, including 224 participants (mean age 30 years, 45% men, 63% African Americans). At the 20-year follow-up, the Stroop test (executive function), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (psychomotor speed), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory) were assessed.

RESULTS

Baseline mean office, daytime, and nocturnal BP were 109/73, 120/74, and 107/59 mm Hg, respectively. Nocturnal BP dipping, calculated as (nocturnal systolic BP [SBP]--daytime SBP) × 100/daytime SBP, was divided into quartiles (Q1: -39.3% to -16.9%; Q2: -16.8% to -13.2%, Q3 [reference]: -13.1% to -7.8%, and Q4: -7.7% to +56.4%). In multiple regression analyses, the least nocturnal SBP dipping (Q4 vs. reference) and higher nocturnal diastolic BP level were associated with worse Stroop scores, with adjustments for demographic and clinical characteristics, and cumulative exposure to office BP during follow-up (β [standard error]: 0.37 [0.18] and 0.19 [0.07], respectively; all P < 0.05). Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test were not significantly associated with nocturnal SBP dipping or nocturnal SBP/diastolic BP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Among healthy young adults, less nocturnal SBP dipping and higher nocturnal diastolic BP levels were associated with lower executive function in midlife, independent of multiple measures of office BP during long-term follow-up.

Even mild depression is associated with among-day blood pressure variability, including masked non-dipping assessed by 7-d/24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

The effect of mild depression on blood pressure (BP) was assessed in 116 Japanese (32-79 years). As compared to non-depressive (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15 score <5) subjects, mild depressives (GDS-15 score: 1-15) had shorter sleep duration (p = 0.021), lower subjective quality of life (health: p = 0.016; life satisfaction: p < 0.001; and happiness: p < 0.001), and higher 7-d systolic BP (p < 0.05). "Masked non-dipping" (dipping on day 1, but non-dipping on at least 1 of the following 6 d) was more frequent among depressive than non-depressive normotensives (p = 0.008). Among-day BP variability may underlie cardiovascular disease accompanying a key component of psychological depression.

Reproducibility of masked hypertension among adults 30 years or older

OBJECTIVE

Masked hypertension (MH) refers to nonelevated office blood pressure (BP) with elevated out-of-office BP, but its reproducibility has not been conclusively established. We examined 1-week reproducibility of MH by home BP monitoring (HBPM) and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM).

METHODS

We recruited 420 adults not on BP-lowering medication, with recent clinic BP between 120/80 and 149/95 mmHg. For main comparisons, participants with office average less than 140/90 mmHg were considered to have MH if awake ABPM average was 135/85 mmHg or higher; they were considered to have MH by HBPM if the average was 135/85 mmHg or higher. Percentage agreements were quantified in terms of κ. We also examined the prevalence of MH, defined as office average less than 140/90 mmHg, with a 24-h ABPM average of 130/80 mmHg or higher. We carried out sensitivity analyses using different threshold BP levels for ABPM-office pairings and HBPM-office pairings for defining MH.

RESULTS

Prevalence rates of MH based on office-awake ABPM pairings were 44 and 43%, with an agreement of 71% (κ=0.40; 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.49). MH was less prevalent (15 and 17%) using HBPM-office pairings, with agreement of 82% (κ=0.30; 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.44), and more prevalent when considering the 24-h average (50 and 48%). MH was also less prevalent when more stringent diagnostic criteria were applied. Office-HBPM pairings and office-awake ABPM pairings had fair agreement on MH classification on both occasions, with κ-values of 0.36 and 0.30.

CONCLUSION

MH has fair short-term reproducibility, providing further evidence that for some people, out-of-office BP is systematically higher than that measured in the office setting.

Rationale, study design, and implementation of the ACS1 study: effect of azilsartan on circadian and sleep blood pressure as compared with amlodipine

Objective

The ACS1 (Azilsartan Circadian and Sleep Pressure – the first study) is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, two parallel-group study carried out to investigate the efficacy of an 8-week oral treatment with azilsartan 20 mg in comparison with amlodipine 5 mg.

Materials and methods

The patients with stage I or II primary hypertension will be randomly assigned to either an azilsartan group (n=350) or an amlodipine group (n=350). The primary endpoint is a change in nocturnal systolic blood pressure (BP) as measured by ambulatory BP monitoring at the end of follow-up relative to the baseline level during the run-in period. In addition, we will carry out the same analysis after dividing four different nocturnal BP dipping statuses (extreme-dippers, dippers, nondipper, and risers).

Conclusion

The findings of this study will help in establishing an appropriate antihypertensive treatment for hypertensive patients with a disrupted circadian BP rhythm.

Fine particulate matter results in hemodynamic changes in subjects with blunted nocturnal blood pressure dipping

Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) is associated with blood pressure and hemodynamic changes. Blunted nocturnal blood pressure dipping is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events; limited information is available on whether PM2.5 exposure-related hemodynamic changes vary with day-night blood pressure circadian rhythms. In this study, we enrolled 161 subjects and monitored the changes in ambulatory blood pressure and hemodynamics for 24h. The day-night blood pressure and cardiovascular metrics were calculated according to the sleep-wake cycles logged in the subject׳s diary. The effects of PM2.5 exposure on blood pressure and hemodynamic changes were analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effect model. After adjusting for potential confounders, a 10-μg/m(3) increase in PM2.5 was associated with 1.0 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2-1.8 mmHg] narrowing in the pulse pressure, 3.1% (95% CI: 1.4-4.8%) decrease in the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise, and 3.6% (95% CI: 1.6-5.7%) increase in systemic vascular resistance among 79 subjects with nocturnal blood pressure dip of <10%. In contrast, PM2.5 was not associated with any changes in cardiovascular metrics among 82 subjects with nocturnal blood pressure dip of ≥10%. Our findings demonstrate that short-term exposure to PM2.5 contributes to pulse pressure narrowing along with cardiac and vasomotor dysfunctions in subjects with nocturnal blood pressure dip of <10%.

The effect of continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics on ambulatory blood pressure of older hypertensive patients in the community

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the effect of continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics so as to provide the easy, noninvasive, effective and acceptable intervention for older hypertensive patients in the community.

BACKGROUND

Many researchers studied the effect of administration at different times on blood pressure control and circadian rhythm. However, the individual administrative time was set ambiguously in previous studies.

DESIGN

A semi-experimental study.

METHODS

In the study, 90 eligible patients were recruited and separated into three groups randomly, which were the control group, intervention group A (behaviour and chronotherapy intervention) and intervention group B (behaviour intervention). At 6 and 12 months after the study, the intervention groups were measured 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters of the two intervention groups at different measurement times, and there were interaction between measurement time and different groups. The number of patients with dipper increased and reverse dipper decreased in group A as the intervention applied. There were statistical differences between two groups. The number of patients with morning surge in group A decreased more, and there were statistical differences between two groups at six months after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The behaviour and chronotherapy intervention based on the patients' ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can control casual blood pressure much better and last longer, which can also improve patients' indexes of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring better than behaviour intervention only. The behaviour and chronotherapy intervention can increase patients' nocturnal blood pressure drop, increase the number of patients with dipper and decrease reverse dipper, and improve blood pressure surge in the morning.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses can use continuous nursing intervention guided by chronotherapeutics to help improve hypertension of older patients better in the community.

Serum lipoprotein(a) positively correlates with coronary artery calcification in low-risk chinese han patients: a study from a single center

Background

Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and a higher degree of coronary artery calcification (CAC) are both considered to be risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the relationship between Lp(a) levels and the degree of CAC indicates significant heterogeneity that may be due to varying ethnicities. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive power of Lp(a) for CAC as measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the Han ethnic group of China.

Methods

A total of 1082 subjects were recruited in this study. The patients were divided into four groups: patients without hypertension or diabetes were group 1, patients with hypertension were group 2, patients with diabetes were group 3 and patients with both hypertension and diabetes were group 4. CAC score (CACs), lipid profiles (Lp(a), LDL, HDL, TG, TC), HbA1C, glucose, personal health history and body morphology were measured in all participants. The predictive power of Lp(a) for calcified atherosclerotic plaque was determined by correlations and ordinal logistic regression.

Results

There was no significant difference in the CACs between group 2 and group 3 (z = 1.790, p = 0.736), and there were significant differences among the other groups. However, there was no significant difference in the total Lp(a) among the 4 groups (χ² = 0.649, p = 0.885). Only In group 1, Lp(a) was a statistically significant predictor of the presence of calcified coronary plaque using ordinal logistic regression.

Conclusions

Levels of Lp(a) positively correlate with CACs among Chinese Han people who are without diabetes and hypertension, suggesting that Lp(a) may be an important risk factor for the presence of calcified atheromas.

Diagnostic tools for hypertension and salt sensitivity testing

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

One-third of the world's population has hypertension and it is responsible for almost 50% of deaths from stroke or coronary heart disease. These statistics do not distinguish salt-sensitive from salt-resistant hypertension or include normotensives who are salt-sensitive even though salt sensitivity, independent of blood pressure, is a risk factor for cardiovascular and other diseases, including cancer. This review describes new personalized diagnostic tools for salt sensitivity.

RECENT FINDINGS

The relationship between salt intake and cardiovascular risk is not linear, but rather fits a J-shaped curve relationship. Thus, a low-salt diet may not be beneficial to everyone and may paradoxically increase blood pressure in some individuals. Current surrogate markers of salt sensitivity are not adequately sensitive or specific. Tests in the urine that could be surrogate markers of salt sensitivity with a quick turn-around time include renal proximal tubule cells, exosomes, and microRNA shed in the urine.

SUMMARY

Accurate testing of salt sensitivity is not only laborious but also expensive, and with low patient compliance. Patients who have normal blood pressure but are salt-sensitive cannot be diagnosed in an office setting and there are no laboratory tests for salt sensitivity. Urinary surrogate markers for salt sensitivity are being developed.