The association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and blood pressure in Yi people

Cardiac markers: Role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension

Cardiac biomarkers may play unique roles in the prognostic evaluation of patients with hypertension, as many cardiac biomarker levels become abnormal long before the onset of obvious cardiovascular disease (CVD). There are numerous cardiac markers. However, this review article only reported the roles of creatinine kinase-MB, cardiac troponins, lipoprotein a, osteopontin, cardiac extracellular matrix, C-reactive protein, cardiac matrix metalloproteinases, cardiac natriuretic peptides, myoglobin, renin, and dynorphin in the pathogenesis of hypertension. This article explained recent major advances, as well as discoveries, significant gaps, and current debates and outlined possible directions for future research. Further studies are required to determine the association between myoglobin and other cardiac markers in hypertension. Moreover, therapeutic approaches are required to determine the early control of these cardiac markers, which ultimately reduce the prevalence of CVDs.

C-reactive protein and hypertension among Ghanaian migrants and their homeland counterparts: the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants study

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HTN) is a growing public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and SSA migrants in Europe. Elevated levels of inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) have been linked to HTN but the relationship of CRP and HTN among SSA populations has not been studied. To address this knowledge gap, we studied the association between CRP and HTN in migrant and nonmigrant SSA populations residing in different settings.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from the multicentre Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study were analysed including 5683 Ghanaians aged at least 18 years, residing in rural and urban Ghana, and Europe. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between high levels of CRP (≥3 mg/l) and HTN (SBP ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg and/or use of antihypertensive medication) per geographical site and sex.

RESULTS

The association between CRP levels and HTN varied by sex and geographical location. In age-adjusted models, there was an association between high CRP levels and HTN in urban-Ghanaian women (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.10-2.03), and European-Ghanaian men (1.68, 1.16-2.43) and women (1.63, 1.28-2.07). However, these associations were attenuated after adjustment for conventional risk factors, especially BMI. No association was found in rural-Ghanaians or urban-Ghanaian men.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show an association between CRP and HTN among Ghanaian migrants and urban-Ghanaian women, however, this was largely explained by conventional risk factors. Thus, prevention of conventional risk factors, in particular obesity, may help to reduce the potentially low-grade inflammatory mechanism underlying HTN.

A narrative review of prehypertension and the cardiovascular system: effects and potential pathogenic mechanisms

In 1939, Robinson and Brucer first proposed the concept of prehypertension (PHTN), which was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120–139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80–89 mmHg. PHTN is a major global health risk that adversely affects human health, especially the cardiovascular system. People with PHTN have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and total cardiovascular events. However, there are few systematic summaries of the relationship between PHTN and the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, because the definition of ‘normal BP’ and the advantages of more intensive BP control remain unclear, there is no consensus on optimal interventions. In an attempt to provide information for clinicians or professionals who are interested in reducing the risk associated with PHTN, we review the existing studies to provide references for them with the effects of PHTN on the cardiovascular system and the potential pathogenic mechanisms of PHTN, including inflammatory responses, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, sympathovagal imbalance, activation of the renin-angiotensin system and others. PHTN is highly prevalent and has adverse effects on health. An effective public health strategy is important to prevent the progression of PHTN. We envisage that this information will increase the public attention of PHTN and help to provide more strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.