Morning blood pressure surge: pathophysiology, clinical relevance and therapeutic aspects

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy as a Complement to Pharmacological Treatment in the Control of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Lima, Peru

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment for improving blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive adult patients at a health center in Lima, Peru.

METHOD

This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a quantitative and longitudinal cohort approach. The participants included 50 adults who were diagnosed with hypertension and who regularly attended the health center in the Villa El Salvador district of Lima, Peru. The data were collected using three instruments: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), validated in Peru; a sociodemographic questionnaire; and a BP recording sheet. The Wilcoxon test was utilized to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy on BP control, while the nonparametric Friedman test was used to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy considering confounding factors.

RESULTS

Therapy resulted in favorable outcomes for BP control. After eight sessions, the average systolic BP decreased from 122.8 to 115.0 mm Hg (a reduction of 7%), and the average diastolic BP decreased from 78.1 to 69.9 mm Hg (a reduction of 11%).

CONCLUSIONS

Mindfulness is an effective complementary therapy for controlling BP in hypertensive adults. It also helps reduce confounding factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

CLOCK gene 3'UTR and exon 9 polymorphisms show a strong association with essential hypertension in a North Indian population

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HTN) is a medical condition characterized by persistent systolic and diastolic blood pressures of ≥ 140 mmHg and ≥ 90 mmHg, respectively. With more than 1200 million adult patients aged 30-79 years worldwide according to the latest WHO data, HTN is a major health risk factor; more importantly, 46% of patients are unaware of this condition. Essential hypertension (EH), also known as primary hypertension, is the predominant subtype and has a complex etiology that involves both genetic and non-genetic factors. Majority of living organisms are influenced by the light and dark cycle of a day and respond to these changes through an intricate clock referred to as the "biological clock" or "circadian rhythm". The connection between circadian rhythm and blood pressure is well established, with many studies supporting the role of circadian rhythm gene mutation(s)/polymorphism(s) in EH. To date, no such data are available from any Indian population.

METHODS

This case‒control study was conducted on 405 EH patients and 505 healthy controls belonging to the Jammu region of North India after an informed consent was obtained from the participants. A total of three single nucleotide variants, two in the CLOCK gene (rs1801260 and rs34789226) and one in the BMAL1/ARNTL gene (rs6486121), were selected for genotyping. Genotyping was performed via the RFLP technique, and the applicable statistical analyses were performed via the SPSS and SNPStats programs.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association of both CLOCK gene variants rs1801260 (T > C 3'UTR) and rs34789226 (C > T Exon 9) and a nonsignificant association of the BMAL1/ARNTL intronic variant rs6486121 (C > T) with EH. The 3'UTR variant showed a statistically significant association under the codominant (p < 0.0001), dominant (p < 0.0001), and recessive (p = 0.0004) models. In contrast, the exon 9 variant showed a statistically significant negative association under the codominant (p = 0.003) and dominant (p = 0.015) models only. The rs6486121/rs1801260 and rs1801260/rs34789226/rs6486121 haplotypes showed significant differences in their distribution between cases and controls (p < 0.0001). Certain genotypes and haplotypes were found more common in hypertensive males than females.

CONCLUSION

This is a first report linking circadian rhythm gene polymorphisms with EH in any Indian population. The statistically significant association of the CLOCK gene 3'UTR and exon 9 polymorphisms with EH, highlight the potential role of this gene and probably other genes of the circadian pathway in the etiology of EH in the study population. Additionally, our study also revealed that certain genotypes are making males more susceptible to EH.

Psychological distress, forced awakening, and morning blood pressure surge

BACKGROUND

Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) has been recognized as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease events. Psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, and behavioral risk factors, such as poor sleep quality, have been associated with increased MBPS. Elevations in sympathetic activity induced by forced awakening may also contribute to further increases in MBPS. Yet, no examination of the interrelationships among psychological distress, sleep quality, awakening mode (natural vs. forced awakenings), and MBPS has been undertaken.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study aimed: (1) to examine if MBPS differs by awakening mode and (2) to investigate whether psychological distress is associated with MBPS difference between natural and forced awakenings, independent of sleep quality.

METHODS

Thirty-two healthy adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Blood pressure was measured using a beat-to-beat blood pressure monitor over two nights, consisting of one night of natural awakening and one night of forced awakening. Psychological distress and sleep quality were assessed using questionnaires. We conducted paired t -tests (aim 1) and multiple linear regressions (aim 2).

RESULTS

MBPS was significantly greater during forced awakening compared with natural awakening. In addition, the MBPS difference between natural and forced awakenings was significantly greater in participants with higher anxiety levels, independent of sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

We found that augmentation of MBPS by forced awakening was significantly greater in individuals who reported higher anxiety levels. Additional research is needed to examine the potential impacts of forced awakening and anxiety on MBPS in a larger sample of individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Blood Pressure Regulation and Hypertension in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Historical Perspective

In obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), an underlying disease of secondary hypertension, repeated episodes of asphyxia due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), followed by arousal, lead to various cardiovascular consequences. Using a canine model of OSAS, it was found that a single load of OSA caused an abrupt increase in blood pressure (BP) (Apnea Surge in seconds), while multiple OSA episodes occurring nightly for 1-3 months led to a sustained elevation of BP during both nighttime and daytime. Epidemiological studies on 24-hour ambulatory BP measurements revealed that some hypertensive patients experienced elevated BP in the early morning (Morning Surge), which could be intensified by OSAS. The resonance of Apnea Surge in seconds and Morning Surge increases the risk of organ damage, triggers the cardiovascular events, and adversely affects the prognosis of hypertensive patients with OSAS. For ameliorating these risks, OSA should be treated with positive airway pressure properly.

The impact of forced awakening on morning blood pressure surge

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep quality can cause an increase in morning blood pressure surge (MBPS), an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Awakening induced by external factors such as alarm clocks, may also contribute to increased MBPS.

OBJECTIVES

To (1) compare the MBPS and sleep quality parameters between natural and forced awakenings and (2) examine the potential impact of forced awakening on MBPS, independent of sleep quality.

METHODS

Thirty-two healthy adults participated in this pilot study, which included one night of natural awakening and one night of forced awakening (i.e., sleep was interrupted by an alarm after five hours). Objective and self-reported sleep quality parameters were measured using a multisensory wristband and sleep diaries, respectively, and beat-to-beat blood pressure variability was assessed using a continuous blood pressure monitor. Analyses included a paired t-test (objective 1) and linear mixed models (objective 2).

RESULTS

Participants predominantly consisted of young, healthy, and highly educated Asian adults. During the night of sleep with forced awakening, significantly higher MBPS, lower objective wakefulness after sleep onset, and lower self-reported sleep latency were observed, compared to the night with natural awakening. Forced awakening was significantly associated with increased MBPS after controlling for age, sex, mean arterial pressure, and sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Forced awakening may significantly increase MBPS, consequently heightening the risk of CVD events. Study findings should be validated in a larger sample. Further research is also warranted to examine the impact of forced awakening on MBPS in individuals with CVD.

Sleep and blood pressure variability: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is a prognostic marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sleep is recognized as a significant risk factor for CVD; however, little is known about the relationship between sleep characteristics and BPV.

OBJECTIVE

In this systematic review, we aimed to (1) describe methods used to measure BPV and sleep and (2) describe the current evidence in the literature on the association between sleep and BPV.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted using the search terms "sleep" AND ("blood pressure variability" OR "ambulatory blood pressure monitor") in CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were included in this systematic review. Sleep was measured using various methods, including polysomnography, actigraphy, sleep diaries, and questionnaires, while BPV was measured over various time intervals using different monitoring devices such as a beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) monitoring device, a 24-h ambulatory BP monitor, or an automatic upper arm BP monitor. The studies demonstrated mixed results on the associations between sleep parameters (sleep quality, architecture, and duration) and increased BPV.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the mechanisms that explain the relationship between sleep and BPV are still unclear, accumulating evidence suggests potential associations between increased BPV with poor sleep quality and longer sleep duration. Given the recent development of sleep and BP monitoring technologies, further research is warranted to assess sleep and BPV under free-living conditions. Such studies will advance our understanding of complex interactions between sleep and CVD risk.

Diurnal patterns of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sleep and risk of all-cause mortality: a follow-up of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES)

BACKGROUND

Physical activity and sleep are established modifiable lifestyle factors, but the optimal time of the day of these behaviours for health is unknown. This study examined the independent and joint associations of diurnal patterns of physical activity and sleep with all-cause mortality.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 6,673 participants who have attended the accelerometer assessment in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Diurnal patterns of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sleep were identified using K-means clustering analysis. All-cause mortality was ascertained from the accelerometer measurement to December 31, 2019 (median follow-up 6.8 years). Survey-weighted Cox proportional hazard models were performed to estimate the independent and joint associations of diurnal patterns of physical activity and sleep with all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Diurnal patterns identified were: early-morning (32.4%), midday (42.5%), and late-afternoon (25.1%) for physical activity; and irregular sleep (37.4%), morning lark (33.6%), and night owl (29.0%) for sleep. After adjusting for volume of physical activity, sleep duration and other potential covariates, the early-morning physical activity pattern (hazard ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.64) and irregular sleep pattern (1.42, 1.01-1.99) were independently associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality, compared with midday physical activity and morning lark sleep patterns, respectively. In addition, participants with the combined pattern of early-morning physical activity and irregular sleep had higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with midday physical activity combined with a morning lark sleep pattern (1.92, 1.33-2.78). Several sociodemographic differences were observed in the strength of these associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Wearable activity-rest monitoring data showed that peak physical activity in the early morning and irregular sleep diurnal patterns are associated with increased mortality risk, and the combination of these patterns further exaggerated the risk. Public health program should acknowledge that the diurnal patterns of physical activity and sleep, in addition to their duration and frequency, may play a crucial role in lifestyle-based health promotion and management strategies.

Epidemiological study of the relationship between meteorological factors and onset of acute aortic dissection in Japan

Several factors influence the onset of acute aortic dissection (AAD). However, few studies have examined AAD onset, weather conditions, and meteorological factors in Japan. This study aimed to identify meteorological factors associated with the onset of AAD in Japan. In this self-controlled study, patients diagnosed with AAD onset from May 1, 2012, to April 30, 2021, at Shizuoka City Shizuoka Hospital (Shizuoka, Japan) were included. Meteorological data from the Shizuoka District Meteorological Office were used. Control days were randomly selected from a 29-day period centered on the day of onset. Conditional logistic regression models were used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the onset of AAD relative to the control day due to changes in meteorological factors. In total, 538 patients were included. The meteorological factors associated with the onset of AAD were identified as the daily mean temperature (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.04-1.16), daily minimum temperature (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.03-1.14), daily maximum temperature (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.00-1.10), and the mean of the daily mean temperatures for the previous 7 days (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.07-1.28) with a 1°C decrease in the temperature. The results of this study are expected to help raise awareness in clinical practice and among the general public about the increased risk of AAD associated with a drop in temperature.

Reliability of beat-to-beat blood pressure variability in older adults

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is emerging as an important risk factor across numerous disease states, including cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative disease in older adults. However, there is no current consensus regarding specific use cases for the numerous available BPV metrics. There is also little published data supporting the ability to reliably measure BPV across metrics in older adults. The present study derived BPV metrics from continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring data. Two sequential 7 min waveforms were analyzed. Absolute and relative reliability testing was performed. Differences between antihypertensive medication users and non-users on BPV metric reliability was also assessed. All sequence and dispersion based BPV metrics displayed good test-retest reliability. A measure of BP instability displayed only moderate reliability. Systolic and diastolic average real variability displayed the highest levels of reliability at ICC = 0.87 and 0.82 respectively. Additionally, systolic average real variability was the most reliable metric in both the antihypertensive use group, and the no antihypertensive use group. In conclusion, beat-to-beat dispersion and sequence-based metrics of BPV can be reliably obtained in older adults using noninvasive continuous blood pressure monitoring. Average real variability may be the most reliable and specific beat-to-beat blood pressure variability metric due to its decreased susceptibility to outliers and low frequency blood pressure oscillations.

Effect of medium cut-off and high-flux hemodialysis membranes on blood pressure assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is one of the most critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Medium cut-off (MCO) membrane increases the clearance of medium molecules, which could improve blood pressure (BP) control. This study aimed to compare the effect of MCO and high-flux hemodialysis membranes on BP assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

METHODS

This is a pre-established secondary analysis of a 28-week, randomized, open-label crossover clinical trial. Patients were randomized to HD with MCO or high-flux membranes over 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period, and then switched to the alternate membrane treatment for 12 weeks. ABPM was started before the HD session and ended at least 24 h later in weeks 1, 12, 16, and 28.

RESULTS

32 patients, 59% male, with a mean age of 52.7 years, and 40% with unknown CKD etiology, were enrolled. The dialysis vintage was 8 years, and more than 70% of the patients had hypertension. Regarding 24-h BP control, morning diastolic BP showed an increase in the high-flux compared to stability in the MCO group (interaction effect, p = 0.039). The adjusted ANOVA models showed no significant difference in the morning BP levels between the groups. Considering only the period of the HD session, patients in the MCO, compared to those in the high-flux membrane group, showed greater BP stability during dialysis, characterized by smaller variation in the pre-post HD systolic and minimum systolic BP (treatment effect, p = 0.039, and p = 0.023, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

MCO membrane seems to have a beneficial effect on morning BP and favors better BP stability during HD sessions.

Reliability of beat-to-beat blood pressure variability in older adults

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is emerging as an important risk factor across numerous disease states, including cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative disease in older adults. However, there is no current consensus regarding specific use cases for the numerous available BPV metrics. There is also little published data supporting the ability to reliably measure BPV across metrics in older adults. BPV metrics were derived from continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring data. Two sequential 7-minute waveforms were analyzed. Absolute and relative reliability testing was performed. Differences between antihypertensive medication users and non-users on BPV metric reliability was also assessed. All sequence and dispersion based BPV metrics displayed good test-retest reliability. A measure of BP instability displayed only moderate reliability. Systolic and diastolic average real variability displayed the highest levels of reliability at ICC= .87 and .82 respectively. Additionally, systolic average real variability was the most reliable metric in both the antihypertensive use group, and the no antihypertensive use group. Beat-to-beat dispersion and sequence-based metrics of BPV can be reliably obtained from older adults using noninvasive continuous blood pressure monitoring. Average real variability may be the most reliable and specific beat-to-beat blood pressure variability metric due to its decreased susceptibility to outliers and low frequency blood pressure oscillations.

High dose cholecalciferol supplementation causing morning blood pressure reduction in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy

We evaluated the association of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN), blood pressure (BP) and Vitamin D (VD) levels before and after high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation (4000/10,000) UI/day) for 12 weeks in patients (N = 67) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Based on this prospective controlled pilot study, patients were divided into group 1 (N = 23 with CAN) and group 2 (N = 44 without CAN). At baseline, group 1 had higher systolic BP (SBP) during sleep (115 ± 14 vs. 107 ± 12 mmHg, p = 0.04) and lower nocturnal dipping (3 ± 5 vs. 8 ± 6%, p = 0.009). Among those with loss of nocturnal dipping, 45.4% (20/44) had CAN, while in normal nocturnal dipping group it occurred only in 13% (3/23) (p = 0.007). Non-dipper group had worse CAN parameters when compared to dipper group [Very low frequency (VLF) (2.5 ± 0.5vs.2.8 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.01), total power (TP) (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.01), Valsalva coefficient (1.5 ± 0.4 vs. 1.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.06)]. After VD, only group 1 improved CAN parameters [TP (2.5 ± 0.4 vs. 2.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.01) and VLF (2.2 ± 0.4 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.03). Group 1 presented a reduction in morning SBP (120 ± 20 vs. 114 ± 17 mmHg, p = 0.038) and in morning SBP surge (13 ± 13 vs. 5 ± 14, p = 0.04). High-dose VD was associated with improved CAN parameters and reduced awake SBP and morning SBP surge. These findings suggest that VD may benefit patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. ISRCTN32601947, registration date: 31/07/2017.

Morning blood pressure surge and intracranial atherosclerotic plaque characteristics: a high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) and intracranial atherosclerotic plaque burden and vulnerability.

METHODS

A total of 267 ischaemic stroke patients were retrospectively analysed. Sleep-trough and prewaking MBPS were calculated from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Plaque characteristics, including intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH), maximum wall thickness (max WT), and stenosis degree, were obtained from high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging (HR-vwMRI). Linear and logistic regression were used to detect the association.

RESULTS

Subjects with the top tertile of sleep-trough MBPS (≥15.1 mmHg) had a lower prevalence (9.1% vs. 19.6%, P = .029) of severe stenosis (≥70%) than others. Subjects within the top tertile of prewaking MBPS (≥7.6 mmHg) had a lower percentage of IPH (27.3% vs. 40.4%, P = .035) than others. After adjusting for stroke risk factors (age, sex, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, smoking, and family stroke history) and 24-h mean systolic blood pressure, 10 mmHg sleep-trough MBPS increment was associated with 0.07mm max WT reduction, and the top tertile MBPS group was associated with a lower chance of severe stenosis (odd ratio = 0.407, 95% CI, 0.175-0.950). Additionally, an increased prewaking MBPS is associated with a lower incidence of IPH, with OR = 0.531 (95% CI, 0.296-0.952). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the positive findings could only be seen in non-diabetic subjects.

CONCLUSION

Increment of MBPS is negatively associated with intracranial atherosclerotic plaque burden and vulnerability, and this relationship remains significant in the non-diabetic subgroup.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study provided evidence that MBPS was associated with the intracranial atherosclerotic plaque burden and vulnerability on HR-vwMRI.

Melatonin supplementation does not alter vascular function or oxidative stress in healthy normotensive adults on a high sodium diet

High sodium diets (HSD) can cause vascular dysfunction, in part due to increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin reduces ROS in healthy and clinical populations and may improve vascular function. The purpose was to determine the effect of melatonin supplementation on vascular function and ROS during 10 days of a HSD. We hypothesized that melatonin supplementation during a HSD would improve vascular function and decrease ROS levels compared to HSD alone. Twenty-seven participants (13 M/14 W, 26.7 ± 2.9 years, BMI: 23.6 ± 2.0 kg/m2 , BP: 110 ± 9/67 ± 7 mmHg) were randomized to a 10-day HSD (6900 mg sodium/d) supplemented with either 10 mg of melatonin (HSD + MEL) or a placebo (HSD + PL) daily. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, a measure of macrovascular function, (HSD + PL: 7.1 ± 3.8%; HSD + MEL: 6.7 ± 3.4%; p = 0.59) and tissue oxygenation index (TSI) reperfusion rate, a measure of microvascular reactivity, (HSD + PL: 0.21 ± 0.06%/s; HSD + MEL: 0.21 ± 0.08%/s; p = 0.97) and TSI area under the curve (HSD + PL: 199899 ± 10,863 a.u.; HSD + MEL: 20315 ± 11,348 a.u.; p = 0.17) were similar at the end of each condition. Neither nitroxide molarity (HSD + PL: 7.8 × 10-5  ± 4.1 × 10-5 mol/L; HSD + MEL: 8.7 × 10-5  ± 5.1 × 10-5 mol/L; p = 0.55) nor free radical number (HSD + PL: 8.0 × 1015  ± 4.4 × 1015 ; HSD + MEL: 9.0 × 1015  ± 4.9 × 1015 ; p = 0.51) were different between conditions. Melatonin supplementation did not alter vascular function or ROS levels while on a HSD in this sample of young healthy normotensive adults.

Association between Morning Surge and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obese Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND

Weight gain can trigger mechanisms that increase blood pressure. Nevertheless, obesity causes structural changes in the myocardium, including increased ventricular mass, atrial dilatation, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Additionally, blood pressure variations, like morning surge (MS) in obese hypertensive patients may have clinical relevance in cardiovascular events. Although morning blood pressure surge is a physiological phenomenon, excess MS can be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate MS values and their association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and nocturnal dipping (ND) in obese and non-obese hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study that evaluated BP measurements by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the presence of LVH by echocardiography in 203 hypertensive outpatients, divided into two groups: 109 non-obese and 94 obese hypertensives patients. The significance level was set at 0.05 in two-tailed tests.

RESULTS

A MS above 20 mmHg by ABPM was detected in 59.2% of patients in the non-obese group and 40.6% in the obese group. LVH was found in 18.1% and 39.3% of patients in the non-obese and obese groups, respectively, p<0.001. In the "obese group", it was observed that a MS>16 mmHg was associated with LVH, [prevalence ratio: 2.80; 95%CI (1.12-6.98), p=0.03]. For the non-obese group, the cut-off point of MS for this association was >22 mmHg.

CONCLUSION

High MS was positively associated with LVH, with a particular behavior in the hypertensive obese group.

Preliminary Study on the Effect of a Night Shift on Blood Pressure and Clock Gene Expression

Night shift work has been found to be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. One of the underlying mechanisms seems to be that shift work promotes hypertension, but results have been variable. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of internists with the aim of performing a paired analysis of 24 h blood pressure in the same physicians working a day shift and then a night shift, and a paired analysis of clock gene expression after a night of rest and a night of work. Each participant wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) twice. The first time was for a 24 h period that included a 12 h day shift (08.00-20.00) and a night of rest. The second time was for a 30 h period that included a day of rest, a night shift (20.00-08.00), and a subsequent period of rest (08.00-14.00). Subjects underwent fasting blood sampling twice: after the night of rest and after the night shift. Night shift work significantly increased night systolic blood pressure (SBP), night diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) and decreased their respective nocturnal decline. Clock gene expression increased after the night shift. There was a direct association between night blood pressure and clock gene expression. Night shifts lead to an increase in blood pressure, non-dipping status, and circadian rhythm misalignment. Blood pressure is associated with clock genes and circadian rhythm misalignement.

Appropriate Circadian-Circasemidian Coupling Protects Blood Pressure from Morning Surge and Promotes Human Resilience and Wellbeing

Background

Blood pressure (BP) variability is involved in the appraisal of threat and safety, and can serve as a potential marker of psychological resilience against stress. The relationship between biological rhythms of BP and resilience was cross-sectionally assessed by 7-day/24-hour chronobiologic screening in a rural Japanese community (Tosa), with focus on the 12-hour component and the "circadian-circasemidian coupling" of systolic (S) BP.

Subjects and Methods

Tosa residents (N = 239, 147 women, 23-74 years), free of anti-hypertensive medication, completed 7-day/24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. The circadian-circasemidian coupling was determined individually by computing the difference between the circadian phase and the circasemidian morning-phase of SBP. Participants were classified into three groups: those with a short coupling interval of about 4.5 hours (Group A), those with an intermediate coupling interval of about 6.0 hours (Group B), and those with a long coupling interval of about 8.0 hours (Group C).

Results

Residents of Group B who showed optimal circadian-circasemidian coordination had less pronounced morning and evening SBP surges, as compared to residents of Group A (10.82 vs 14.29 mmHg, P < 0.0001) and Group C (11.86 vs 15.21 mmHg, P < 0.0001), respectively. The incidence of morning or evening SBP surge was less in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.0001) or Group C (P < 0.0001). Group B residents showed highest measures of wellbeing and psychological resilience, assessed by good relation with friends (P < 0.05), life satisfaction (P < 0.05), and subjective happiness (P < 0.05). A disturbed circadian-circasemidian coupling was associated with elevated BP, dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis and a depressive mood.

Conclusion

The circadian-circasemidian coupling of SBP could serve as a new biomarker in clinical practice to guide precision medicine interventions aimed at achieving properly timed rhythms, and thereby resilience and wellbeing.

Circadian variation in stroke onset: Differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and weekdays versus weekends

OBJECTIVES

To delineate diurnal variation onset distinguishing ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke, wake from sleep onset, and weekdays from weekends/holidays.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed patients enrolled in the FAST-MAG trial of field-initiated neuroprotective agent in patients with hyperacute stroke within 2h of symptoms onset. Stroke onset times were analyzed in 1h, 4h, and 12h time blocks throughout the 24h day-night cycle. Patient demographic, clinical features, stroke severity, and prehospital workflow were evaluated for association with onset times.

RESULTS

Among 1615 acute cerebrovascular disease patients, final diagnoses were acute cerebral ischemia in 76.5% and Intracerebral hemorrhage in 23.5%. Considering all acute cerebrovascular disease patients, frequency of wake onset times showed a bimodal pattern, with peaks on onsets at 09:00-13:59 and 17:00-18:59 and early morning (00:00-05:59) onset in only 3.8%. Circadian rhythmicity differed among stroke subtypes: in acute cerebral ischemia, a single broad plateau of elevated incidences was seen from 10:00-21:59; in Intracerebral hemorrhage, bimodal peaks occurred at 09:00 and 19:00. The ratio of Intracerebral hemorrhage to acute cerebral ischemia occurrence was highest in early morning, 02:00-06:59. Marked weekday vs weekends pattern variation was noted for acute cerebral ischemia, with a broad plateau between 09:00 and 21:59 on weekdays but a unimodal peak at 14:00-15:59 on weekends.

CONCLUSIONS

Wake onset of acute cerebrovascular disease showed a marked circadian variation, with distinctive patterns of a broad elevated plateau among acute cerebral ischemia patients; a bimodal peak among intracerebral hemorrhage patients; and a weekend change in acute cerebral ischemia pattern to a unimodal peak.

Role of basal autonomic functions in patients with increased morning blood pressure surge

BACKGROUND

Morning blood pressure (BP) surge (MS) is associated with cardiovascular events. The autonomic nervous system plays an active role in the regulation of BP and its function can be evaluated by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. This study aimed to evaluate autonomic nervous system functions in patients with increased MS.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and 24-h rhythm Holter in our hospital during the same period between 2017 and 2022 were evaluated. HRV parameters were obtained from 24-h rhythm Holter recordings. MS values of the patients were calculated from ABPM records and patients were divided into four groups according to the MS quartiles. HRV parameters and other parameters were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 57.2 ± 18.2 years, and 63 (48.8%) were male. HF, the square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal-to-normal intervals (rMSSD), and the proportion of adjacent RR intervals differing by >50 ms in the 24-h recording (pNN50) were statistically significant between the groups ( P  = 0.039, P  = 0.013, P  = 0.011, respectively). In univariate regression analysis, low-frequency/high-frequency ratio was positively associated with MS and HF, SDNNi, rMSSD, and pNN50 were negatively associated ( β  = 0.207, P  = 0.019; β  = -0.272, P  = 0.002; β  = -0.201, P  = 0.022; β  = -0.265, P  = 0.002; β  = -0.278, P  = 0.001, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed an independent association between HF, low-frequency/high-frequency ratio, rMSSD, pNN50, and MS ( β  = -0.247, P  = 0.005; β=0.206, P  = 0.017; β  = -0.209, P  = 0.005; β  = -0.227, P  = 0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We found an independent association between HRV parameters associated with vagal tone and MS. The findings of our study suggest that the increased sympathetic activity detected in patients with high MS in previous studies may be due to a decrease in basal vagal tone.

Pathophysiology of the Nondipping Blood Pressure Pattern

The nondipping blood pressure (BP) pattern corresponds to a disruption in the circadian BP rhythm with an insufficient decrease in BP levels during nighttime sleep as observed using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Patients with nondipping BP pattern have poorer renal and cardiovascular outcomes, independent of their average 24-hour BP levels. The pathophysiology of nondipping BP is complex and involves numerous mechanisms: perturbations of (1) the circadian rhythm, (2) the autonomic nervous system, and (3) water and sodium regulation. This review provides an outline of the pathways potentially involved in the nondipping BP profile in different conditions. A recent hypothesis is also discussed involving the role of gut microbiota in the dipping/nondipping patterns, via the fecal diet-derived short chain fatty acids.

A new risk factor for predicting stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: morning blood pressure surge

BACKGROUND

Stroke, the most feared complication in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), is still an important cause of mortality and morbidity. In our study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of stroke and related parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation, for whom 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed.

METHOD

A total of 282 patients with permanent AF were included in this study. 24-h ABPM was performed in all patients. Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) was defined as the difference between the mean SBP in the first 2 h after awakening and the lowest blood pressure (BP) at night. We evaluated parameters associated with stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULT

Patients were followed for 19 ± 9.3 months and 22 ischemic strokes were detected during the follow-up period. Also, strokes were significantly lower in atrial fibrillation patients with a dipper BP pattern, whereas strokes were significantly higher in atrial fibrillation patients with a reverse-dipper BP pattern. In multivariate analysis, a history of hypertension ( P  = 0.020), BP pattern ( P  < 0.001) and MBPS ( P  < 0.001) were found to be significantly related to stroke. MBPS levels >32.5 mmHg predicted stroke with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 60% (AUC, 0.741; 95% CI, 0.647-0.834; P  < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

MBPS, BP pattern and presence of hypertension as an independent risk factor in predicting stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The reduction of the MBPS may be a new therapeutic target for preventing stroke.

Blood pressure variability: methodological aspects, clinical relevance and practical indications for management - a European Society of Hypertension position paper ∗

Blood pressure is not a static parameter, but rather undergoes continuous fluctuations over time, as a result of the interaction between environmental and behavioural factors on one side and intrinsic cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms on the other side. Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) may indicate an impaired cardiovascular regulation and may represent a cardiovascular risk factor itself, having been associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, end-stage renal disease, and dementia incidence. Nonetheless, BPV was considered only a research issue in previous hypertension management guidelines, because the available evidence on its clinical relevance presents several gaps and is based on heterogeneous studies with limited standardization of methods for BPV assessment. The aim of this position paper, with contributions from members of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability and from a number of international experts, is to summarize the available evidence in the field of BPV assessment methodology and clinical applications and to provide practical indications on how to measure and interpret BPV in research and clinical settings based on currently available data. Pending issues and clinical and methodological recommendations supported by available evidence are also reported. The information provided by this paper should contribute to a better standardization of future studies on BPV, but should also provide clinicians with some indications on how BPV can be managed based on currently available data.

Association of the time of day of peak physical activity with cardiovascular mortality: Findings from the UK Biobank study

Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology display pronounced circadian rhythms. The study is designed to examine whether the time of day of physical activity is associated with cardiovascular mortality. We analyzed 94,489 UK Biobank adults with objectively measured physical activity, including 53,328 morning-type participants and 30,962 evening-type participants based on self-reported chronotypes. The time of day of peak physical activity was categorized using a machine learning algorithm: early morning (n = 18,477), late morning (n = 25,700), midday (reference) (n = 27,803), and night (n = 22,509). Hazard ratios of cardiovascular mortality were examined using the Cox proportional hazards model. During a median follow-up of 6.9 years (interquartile range, 6.3-7.4 years), we identified 629 cardiovascular deaths. The hazard of cardiovascular mortality was elevated in the early morning group (hazard ratio = 1.56, 95% Confidence Interval [1.23-1.98]) and night group (1.49, [1.18-1.88]) but not in the late morning group (1.21, [0.98-1.47]) compared to the referent midday group. In the chronotype-stratified analysis, the increased cardiovascular mortality in the morning group was only observed in the evening-type participants, while the increased cardiovascular mortality in the night group was only observed in the morning-type participants. In conclusion, optimizing the timing of peak physical activity according to cardiovascular circadian rhythms and individual chronotypes could be a potential therapeutic target that brings additional health benefits.

Age-related patterns of ambulatory blood pressure in a large cohort of individuals referred to Italian community pharmacies: results from the templar project

OBJECTIVES

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides extensive information on several BP parameters other than the average BP during daily life. Through this analysis of the TEMPLAR study, we sought to understand better the features of age-related changes in ABP patterns and phenotypes.

METHODS

ABPMs were obtained in 53 350 individuals visiting 866 Italian community pharmacies (age 3-101 years, 54.3% female individuals). ABPM patterns were assessed across 10-year age categories.

RESULTS

SBP steadily increased with age. DBP increased from the youth to the middle adulthood and then declined. Daytime BP was higher than night-time BP, but the difference narrowed with aging, reducing the prevalence of dippers. An enhanced SBP morning surge and increased prevalence of abnormal morning rise were observed with aging. SBP and DBP variabilities increased with age with a typical U or J shape, more evident in the case of DBP. The proportion of participants with ambulatory hypertension increased with age. However, an elevated daytime BP was more common in younger individuals and elevated night-time hypertension in older individuals. The prevalence of white-coat hypertension remained stable or slightly declined through the age groups, whereas that of masked hypertension steadily increased.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm that ABP patterns interplay and change in a complex way with age. Such changes, particularly the age-related increase in BP variability and prevalence of nocturnal hypertension, nondipping, enhanced morning rise, and masked hypertension, may increase the risk of cardiovascular events and must be carefully considered by the physician when managing BP in the elderly.

Compliance to Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention Decreases Blood Pressure in Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Hypertension is a common chronic medical condition. Treatment is not satisfactory in a significant proportion of patients with primary hypertension, despite the concurrent use of three or more medications with different mechanisms of action. Such treatment-resistant hypertension is a clinical challenge associated with poor prognosis and needs further investigation. The efficacy of lifestyle changes has not been established yet in patients with resistant hypertension, and educational efforts appear clinically irrelevant in patients who must achieve behavioral changes without supervision. A 6-month multidisciplinary pilot intervention enrolled 50 patients with established resistant hypertension. The aims were: (1) to examine whether intensive and supervised lifestyle changes contribute to decreasing blood pressure in this condition, and (2) to identify which components affect compliance and feasibility. The program provided intensive changes in nutrition, physical exercise, and control of sleep disturbances supervised by nutritionists, physiotherapists, and psychologists. Nurses and pharmacists followed up on adherence to the antihypertensive medication. The primary outcome was 24 h blood pressure control. Data in patients with full compliance (n = 30) indicate that lifestyle modifications in resistant hypertension significantly reduced 24 h both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), body mass index (p < 0.01), medication burden (p = 0.04), improving physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers such as heart rate (p = 0.01) and augmentation index (p = 0.02). The adherence to the intervention was moderate, with an attrition rate of 12%. A modified version reducing visits and explorations will likely improve compliance and can be used to assess the long-term maintenance of these benefits in managing resistant hypertension by diverse healthcare providers.

Association between blood pressure and circadian timing of physical activity of Japanese workers

High blood pressure (BP) is reported to be accounted for more than 10 million deaths, and the high prevalence of hypertension is a global issue. Exercise is known to reduce BP and the optimal exercise prescription has been discussed. Furthermore, since the circadian clock plays an important role in BP regulation and its related physiological functions, the time-of-day difference in the effect of exercise on BP is suggested. However, when people should regularly exercise for the prevention of hypertension remains unclear. In this cross-sectional research, we analyzed the association of habitual exercise and BP depending on their performed timing, time length, and frequency for three levels of intensity from an analysis of questionnaire answered by Japanese male workers (N = 2,343, mean age ± SE = 49.2 ± 0.2 years old, date: June 2021). From the subjects who responded, subjects with irregularly high or low BP, no regular physical activity or under the treatment of hypertension were excluded from the analysis. From the comparison of SBP and DBP between those who performed physical activity at each time period, vigorous or moderate physical activity in the evening (18:00–21:00) showed significantly lower average BP. On the other hand, those who walked in early morning (03:00–06:00) showed higher DBP. These time-specific differences were confirmed from multiple regression analysis, eliminating the confounding factors such as age and BMI. When participants were divided into groups according to their BP, compared to normal BP groups, higher BP groups exercised less in the evening. Our findings suggest that when to exercise is important, and that exercising in the evening (18:00–21:00) may be better to achieve the hypotensive effect of exercise.

Early morning hemodynamic changes and left ventricular hypertrophy and mortality in hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION

An exaggeration of the early morning increase in BP, a phenomenon accompanied by a parallel rise in heart rate (HR), is a marker of high cardiovascular risk. The early morning changes in these parameters have not been investigated in the hemodialysis population.

METHODS

In a pilot, single center study including a series of 58 patients we measured the pre-awakening BP and HR surges and the nocturnal dipping of the same parameters as well as other established indicators of autonomic function (weighted 24 h systolic BP and HR variability) and tested their relationship with the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and with the risk of death over a median follow up of 40 months.

RESULTS

The pre-awakening HR surge (r = - 0.46, P = 0.001) but not the corresponding BP surge (r = - 0.1, P = 0.98) was associated with LVMI and the risk of death [HR (1 unit): 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.96, P = 0.001]. The link between the pre-awakening HR surge with these outcome measures was robust and largely independent of established risk factors in the hemodialysis population, including the nocturnal dipping of BP. Weighted 24 h systolic BP and HR variability did not correlate with LVMI (all P > 0.11) nor with the risk of death (P > 0.11) and were also independent of the nocturnal dipping of systolic BP and HR.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study suggests that the low early morning changes in HR, likely reflecting enhanced sympathetic activity, entail a high risk for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and mortality in the hemodialysis population.

Management of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors and other antihypertensives and their clinical effects on pre-anesthesia blood pressure

Background

Blood pressure fluctuations appear more significant in patients with poorly controlled hypertension and are known to be associated with adverse perioperative morbidity. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of antihypertensive drug treatment strategies on preanesthetic operating room blood pressure measurements.

Methods

A total of 717 patients participated in our study; 383 patients who were normotensive based on baseline measurements and not under antihypertensive therapy were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 334 patients were divided into six groups according to the antihypertensive drug treatment. These six groups were examined in terms of preoperative baseline and pre-anesthesia blood pressure measurements.

Results

As a result of the study, it was observed that 24% of patients had high blood pressure precluding surgery, and patients using renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASI) had higher pre-anesthesia systolic blood pressure than patients using other antihypertensive drugs. Patients who received beta-blockers were also observed to have the lowest pre-anesthesia systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure, compared to others.

Conclusions

Recently, whether RAASI should be continued preoperatively remains controversial. Our study shows that RAASI cannot provide optimal pre-anesthesia blood pressure and lead to an increase in the number of postponed surgeries, probably due to withdrawal of medication before the operation. Therefore, the preoperative discontinuation of RAASI should be reevaluated in future studies.

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

BACKGROUND

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

OBJECTIVE

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

Relationship between morning blood pressure surge and the frontal plane QRS-T angle in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) plays an important role in target organ damage and major adverse cardiac events. The frontal QRS-T [f(QRS-T)] angle is the electrocardiographic marker and index of ventricular arrhythmogenic events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MBPS and the f(QRS-T) angle, which is an indicator of ventricular repolarization disorder, in patients with newly diagnosed HT.

METHODS

Between June 2020 and March 2021, 263 patients with newly diagnosed HT who were admitted to our outpatient clinic were prospectively included in the study. According to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), the patients were categorized into two groups: Group-I: low-value MBPS (<37 mm Hg), and group-II: high-value MBPS (≥37 mm Hg). The f(QRS-T) angle calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram and all other data were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 186 newly diagnosed HT patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The average f(QRS-T) angle in Groups I and 2 was 21° ± 16° and 51° ± 30°, respectively (P < .001). According to multivariate regression analysis, T peak-end and MBPS were found to be independent predictors of the f(QRS-T) angle.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of our study, we found that the f(QRS-T) angle was widened in patients with exaggerated MBPS. The cause of increased cardiovascular outcomes in patients with exaggerated MBPS may be explained by widened in the f(QRS-T) angle that is a ventricular repolarization parameter.

Association between Changes in the Systolic Blood Pressure from Evening to the Next Morning and Night Glucose Variability in Heart Disease Patients

Objectve To assess the impact of glycemic variability on blood pressure in hospitalized patients with cardiac disease. Methods In 40 patients with cardiovascular disease, the glucose levels were monitored by flash continuous glucose monitoring (FGM; Free-Style Libre™ or Free-Style Libre Pro; Abbott, Witney, UK) and self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) for 14 days. Blood pressure measurements were performed twice daily (morning and evening) at the same time as the glucose level measurement using SMBG. Results The detection rate of hypoglycemia using the FGM method was significantly higher than that with the 5-point SMBG method (77.5% vs. 5.0%, p<0.001). Changes in the systolic blood pressure from evening to the next morning [morning - evening (ME) difference] were significantly correlated with night glucose variability (r=0.63, P<0.001). A multiple regression analysis showed that night glucose variability using FGM was more closely correlated with the ME difference [r=0.62 (95% confidence interval, 0.019-0.051); p<0.001] than with the age, body mass index, or smoking history. Night glucose variability was also more closely associated with the ME difference in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) than in those with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart failure (HF) (r=0.83, p=0.058). Conclusion Night glucose variability is associated with the ME blood pressure difference, and FGM is more accurate than the 5-point SMBG approach for detecting such variability.

Chronopharmacology in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring-Dependencies between the Rhythmics of Pharmacokinetic Processes and Drug Concentration in Blood

The objective of the optimization of pharmacotherapy compliant with the basic rules of clinical pharmacology is its maximum individualization, ensuring paramount effectiveness and security of the patient's therapy. Thus, multiple factors that are decisive in terms of uniqueness of treatment of the given patient must be taken into consideration, including, but not limited to, the patient's age, sex, concomitant diseases, special physiological conditions (e.g., pregnancy, lactation, extreme age groups), polypharmacotherapy and polypragmasia (particularly related to increased risk of drug interactions), and patient's phenotypic response to the administered drug with possible genotyping. Conducting therapy while monitoring the concentration of certain drugs in blood (Therapeutic Drug Monitoring; TDM procedure) is also one of the factors enabling treatment individualization. Furthermore, another material, and yet still a marginalized pharmacotherapeutic factor, is chronopharmacology, which indirectly determines the values of drug concentrations evaluated in the TDM procedure. This paper is a brief overview of chronopharmacology, especially chronopharmacokinetics, and its connection with the clinical interpretation of the meaning of the drug concentrations determined in the TDM procedure.

Morning blood pressure surge in early autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and its relation with left ventricular hypertrophy

Introduction

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which usually leads to a swift surge in blood pressure in the morning hours (MBPS) may be the cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in early autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. We studied the association between MBPS and LVH in ADPKD patients with preserved renal functions.

Methods

Patients with ADPKD with preserved renal functions were enrolled. Prewaking MBPS was calculated using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The patients were categorized as MBPS (≥median) and non-MBPS (<median). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), endothelial-dependent dilatation (FMD, %), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) evaluated.

Results

Fifty-six patients (30 females and 26 males) were enrolled. Gender distribution was similar-among-the-groups. The mean age was higher in the MBPS group (50.1 ± 13 vs 37.3 ± 10.3). Urinary albumin (49.5 vs 16 mg/g creatinine, p < 0.001), hs-CRP (0.59 vs 0.37 mg/dl, p = 0.045) LVMI (124 ± 27.7 vs 95.2 ± 19.7 g/m², p < 0.001) and mean awake SBP surge was higher (42 vs 20 mmHg, p < 0.001) and FMD (%) was lower (14.4 ± 6.6 vs 18.9 ± 5.7, p = 0.009) in MBPS group. In the binary logistic regression analysis, the presence of MBPS in model 1 (OR: 6.625, 95% CI [1.048–41.882] p = 0.044), and age in model 2 (OR: 1.160, 95% CI [1.065–1.263] p = 0.001) were the only independent determinant of LVH.

Conclusions

MBPS seems to be an important and independent determinant of LVH in ADPKD patients with preserved renal functions. It may be worth assessing the effect of reduction in MBPS as a new therapeutic target to prevent LVH in-patients-with-ADPKD.

Can Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Detect the Presence of Exxaggerated Morning Blood Pressure Surge in Newly Diagnosed Treatment-Naive Hypertensive Patients?

Background: The exaggerated morning blood pressure surge (MS) is associated with target organ damage and cardiovascular events. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been detected as a useful marker in tumors and cardiovascular diseases. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a well-known issue. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between SII and exaggerated MS in newly diagnosed treatment-naive hypertensive patients.Material and Methods: In total, 343 newly diagnosed in clinical and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring treatment-naive hypertensive patients were included in this study. Morning surge was defined as the difference between morning BP, which was the mean of BP during 2 h after wake-up, and the lowest BP, which was the mean of three lowest BP during nighttime. A cutoff value of 52.1 mmHg was used to discriminate the high- and low value MS groups. SII was calculated based on neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts.Results: Neutrophil, platelet, SII, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were higher, whereas lymphocyte counts were lower in the high-value MS than the low-value MS. These indices were all independently associated with exaggerated MS and SII was superior to all other indices for detecting the presence of exaggerated MS. SII was moderately correlated with morning BP surge (r: 0.489, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: SII was higher in patients with exaggerated MS and was independently associated with exaggerated MS. Furthermore, SII might be a better indicator than platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR, and PLR for the presence of exaggerated MS.

Implications of Circadian Rhythm in Stroke Occurrence: Certainties and Possibilities

Stroke occurrence is not randomly distributed over time but has circadian rhythmicity with the highest frequency of onset in the morning hours. This specific temporal pattern is valid for all subtypes of cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage. It also correlates with the circadian variation of some exogenous factors such as orthostatic changes, physical activity, sleep-awake cycle, as well as with endogenous factors including dipping patterns of blood pressure, or morning prothrombotic and hypofibrinolytic states with underlying cyclic changes in the autonomous system and humoral activity. Since the internal clock is responsible for these circadian biological changes, its disruption may increase the risk of stroke occurrence and influence neuronal susceptibility to injury and neurorehabilitation. This review aims to summarize the literature data on the circadian variation of cerebrovascular events according to physiological, cellular, and molecular circadian changes, to survey the available information on the chronotherapy and chronoprophylaxis of stroke and its risk factors, as well as to discuss the less reviewed impact of the circadian rhythm in stroke onset on patient outcome and functional status after stroke.

Morning blood pressure surge is associated with the severity of stable coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients

Background: We aimed to investigate the association between morning surge (MS) of blood pressure (BP) and SYNTAX score (SS) which gives information regarding the complexity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in hypertensive patients. Methods: We included 187 hypertensive patients (134 males, 53 females; mean age: 62.5 ± 10.9 years) who underwent elective coronary angiography. Patients with the acute coronary syndrome and a history of coronary intervention were excluded from the study. The MBPS was calculated as the difference between the average BP during the 2 hours after awakening (four BP readings) and the lowest nighttime BP. The severity of coronary lesions was evaluated based on the SS assessed by coronary angiography. Patients were classified into two groups according to SS: low SS (SS ≤ 22) and intermediate-to-high SS (>22).Results: Patients in the intermediate-to-high SS group were found to be older, have higher uric acid levels, average daytime systolic BP (SBP), nighttime SBP, morning SBP, MS of BP and have higher rates of diabetes (DM) and female gender. There was no significant difference in terms of hypertensive treatment. In multivariate analysis, MS of BP (OR: 2.151, p: 0.005) and DM (OR: 0.014, p: 0.015) were independent parameters for predicting intermediate-to-high SS. The cutoff value of MS of BP obtained by ROC curve analysis was 18,5 mmHg for prediction of intermediate-high SS (sensitivity: 76.5%, specificity: 71.2%). The area under the curve was 0.762 (p < .001).Conclusion: MS of BP significantly correlates with the severity of coronary stenosis in hypertensive patients, suggesting that it could be a potential predictive marker of CAD.

Sex-Dependent Association Between Early Morning Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variations and Acute Mountain Sickness

Background

Acute high altitude (HA) exposure elicits blood pressure (BP) responses in most subjects, and some of them suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS). However, a 24-h ambulatory BP (ABP) change and the correlation with the occurrence of AMS in different sexes are still unclear.

Objectives

This prospective study aimed to investigate HA induced BP responses in males and females and the relationship between AMS and 24-h ABP.

Methods

Forty-six subjects were matched according to demographic parameters by propensity score matching with a ratio of 1:1. All the subjects were monitored by a 24-h ABP device; the measurement was one period of 24 h BP. 2018 Lake Louise questionnaire was used to evaluate AMS.

Results

Both the incidence of AMS (14 [60.9%] vs. 5 [21.7%], P = 0.007) and headache (18 [78.3%] vs. 8 [34.8%], P = 0.003) were higher in females than in males. All subjects showed an elevated BP in the early morning [morning systolic BP (SBP), 114.72 ± 13.57 vs. 120.67 ± 11.10, P = 0.013]. The elevation of morning SBP variation was more significant in females than in males (11.95 ± 13.19 vs. −0.05 ± 14.49, P = 0.005), and a higher morning BP surge increase (4.69 ± 18.09 vs. −9.66 ± 16.96, P = 0.005) was observed after acute HA exposure in the female group. The increase of morning SBP was associated with AMS occurrence (R = 0.662, P < 0.001) and AMS score (R = 0.664, P = 0.001). Among the AMS symptoms, we further revealed that the incidence (R = 0.786, P < 0.001) and the severity of headache (R = 0.864, P < 0.001) are closely correlated to morning SBP.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that females are more likely to suffer from AMS than males. AMS is closely associated with elevated BP in the early morning period, which may be correlated to higher headache incidence in subjects with higher morning SBP.

Ambulatory blood pressure profile and stroke recurrence

OBJECTIVES

To establish a new ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) parameter (24-hour ABP profile) and evaluated its performance on stroke outcome in ischaemic stroke (IS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients.

METHODS

The prospective cohort consisted of 1996 IS/TIA patients enrolled for ABP monitoring and a 3-month follow-up for stroke recurrence as outcome. Profile groups of systolic blood pressure (SBP) were identified via an advanced functional clustering method, and the associations of the profile groups and conventional ABP parameters with stroke recurrence were examined in a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Three discrete profile groups (n=604, 781 and 611 in profiles 1, 2 and 3, respectively) in 24-hour ambulatory SBP were identified. Profile 1 resembled most to the normal diurnal blood pressure pattern; profile 2 also dropped at night, but climbed earlier and with higher morning surge; while profile 3 had sustained higher nocturnal SBP without significant nocturnal SBP decline. The incidence of stroke recurrence was 2.9%, 3.9% and 5.5% in profiles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, profile 3 was significantly associated with higher risk of stroke recurrence with profile 1 as reference (HR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.00 to 3.09), while no significant difference was observed between profiles 2 and 1 (HR 1.22, 95% CI: 0.66 to 2.25). None of conventional ABP parameters showed significant associations with the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory 24-hour SBP profile is associated with short-term stroke recurrence. Profiles of ABP may help improve identification of stroke recurrence by capturing the additive effects of individual ABP parameters.

High-dose Cholecalciferol Supplementation Reducing Morning Blood Pressure in Normotensive DM1 Patients

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency has been related to several endocrine metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The effect of VD supplementation on blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate high-dose vitamin D supplementation effects on blood pressure of normotensive patients with diabetes mellitus 1 (DM1) patients by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

METHODS

We performed a clinical trial including 35 DM1 normotensive patients, who received doses of 4,000 or 10,000 IU/day of cholecalciferol for 12 weeks according to previous VD levels. They underwent 24-hour ABPM, along with glycated hemoglobin, creatine, lipids profile and PCRus dosage before and after VD supplementation.

RESULTS

We found an expressive reduction of systolic and diastolic morning blood pressures (117±14 vs 112±14, p<0,05; 74±9 vs 70±10 mmHg, p<0,05, respectively) with no changes in other pressoric markers. Besides, we noticed a relationship between levels of VD after supplementation and diastolic morning blood pressure (r= -0,4; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests an association between supplementation of high doses of vitamin D and the reduction of morning blood pressure in normotensive DM1 patients.

Home blood pressure on winter mornings could be exaggerated: A comparison with summer mornings

PURPOSE

Self-measured blood pressure at home (HBP) is quite important for the management of hypertension. We hypothesized that winter HBP measured according to the recommendation of the guidelines, but not HBP measured inside bed before getting up, is elevated in response to cold ambient temperatures in winter. This study aimed to investigate differences in HBP measured before and after getting up in winter and summer.Methods: Hypertensive subjects whose blood pressure was stably controlled were enrolled (n = 46, 73 years). They were instructed to measure HBP while in bed just after waking (HBP-bed), in addition to the ordinary HBP measurement in the morning (HBP-morning) according to the guidelines. The mean value of HBP for 7 consecutive days before the day of a regular hospital visit was considered as the HBP of each subject, and characteristics of the winter and summer BPs were investigated.Results: HBP-morning was significantly higher (P < .001) in winter than in summer, but HBP-bed was lower in winter than in summer (P < .05). HBP-morning was significantly higher than HBP-bed in winter, while HBP-morning was not different from HBP-bed in summer, resulting in greater changes in HBP after getting up in winter than in summer (P < .0001). Changes in HBP after getting up were significantly correlated with serum creatinine levels and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio.Conclusions: These findings imply that elevated HBP-morning in winter reflects the response of BP to cold after getting up. Seasonal profiles of HBPs before and after getting up should be noted in the management of hypertension.

Blood pressure monitoring in sleep: time to wake up

Hypertension is a highly common condition with well-established adverse consequences. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has repeatedly been shown to better predict cardiovascular outcomes and mortality, compared to single office visit blood pressure. Non-dipping of sleep-time blood pressure is an independent marker for increased cardiovascular risk. We review blood pressure variability and the challenges of blood pressure monitoring during sleep. Although pathological sleep such as obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with non-dipping of sleep-time blood pressure, blood pressure is not routinely measured during sleep due to lack of unobtrusive blood pressure monitoring technology. Second, we review existing noninvasive continuous blood pressure monitoring technologies. Lastly, we propose including sleep-time blood pressure monitoring during sleep studies and including sleep studies in patients undergoing ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

How important is blood pressure variability?

Arterial blood pressure (BP) is a continuous variable, with a physiology characterized by significant variability stemming from the complex interaction among haemodynamic factors, neuronal reflexes, as well as hormonal, behavioural, and environmental stimuli. The homoeostatic response accounts for the physiologic variability in BP in normotensive individuals, which is more evident in hypertensive patients. Blood pressure variability is a complex phenomenon, which could be classified in various types: very short term (beat to beat), short term (during 24 h), mid-term (day by day), long term (<5 years), and very long term (>5 years). Accurate measurement of BP variability represents a complex and often controversial endeavour, despite several methodological approaches are available. Albeit a prognostic significance has been demonstrated for some indicators of BP variability, the clinical significance of this measurement is still uncertain. In fact, none of the indicators presently available for BP variability, including early morning BP rise, substantially affects, and redefines, the cardiovascular risk of the hypertensive patient, over and beyond the mere BP values. Accordingly, in defining the cardiovascular risk, the focus should be on the absolute BP values, which remain the most relevant risk factor, and the one more susceptible to modification with both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment.

Increasing incidence of macular edema in excessive morning blood pressure surge in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) had been known to be associated with hypertensive target organ injury and vascular events. Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is also known to be related with underlying cardiovascular risk factors. This study investigated the effect of MBPS on patients with RVO. In total, 76 patients with RVO who had undergone systemic cardiovascular examination including a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, carotid artery intima media thickness, and pulse wave velocity were evaluated between January 2015 and February 2019. The MBPS was calculated as follows: mean systolic blood pressure measured over two hours after awakening minus mean systolic blood pressure measured during the one hour that included the lowest sleep blood pressure. Macular edema was significantly more prevalent in the MBPS group compared with the non-MBPS group. After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate regression analyses revealed that MBPS independently predicted macular edema in patients with RVO [Odds ratio 4.75, 95% confidence interval 1.136–16.6, p = 0.015]. In conclusion, evaluating blood pressure patterns, especially MBPS, using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be useful for assessing and predicting ophthalmologic outcome and may facilitate better blood pressure control in patients with RVO.