Schillaci G, Verdecchia P, Borgioni C, Ciucci A, Sacchi N,
Benemio G, Porcellati C
Effect of menopause on day-night blood pressure changes
and left ventricular function in hypertension
12th Annual ASH Meeting
Am J Hypertens
(Apr) 10:12A 1997
Age has been shown to be a predictor of a blunted day-night blood
pressure reduction. The effect of hormonal changes associated with
menopause have not been evaluated as an independent factor in altered
day- night pressure in hypertensive patients. This study was uniquely
designed to look at ambulatory blood pressure changes in age matched
hypertensive women either with normal ovulatory cycles or menopausal.
76 consecutive untreated hypertensive women aged 45-55 with a normal
ovulatory cycle were selected and matched with 76 hypertensive
post-menopausal women. The women were individually matched for age
(± 5 years) and office systolic and diastolic blood pressures
(both ± 5 mmHg) In a case control design. Echocardiography
and 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure were performed on all patients.
Patients with suboptimal ECHO, use of estrogens, shift work, and
diabetes were excluded. Awake and sleep periods were determined by
diaries.
Matching age and office blood pressure did not differ, Daytime BP,
smoking status, sleep duration and body mass index also did not
differ. Menopause was associated with a blunted nocturnal BP fall
(sleep SBP/DBP fall, %, control 16/21, menopause 12/17), a higher
sleep BP (control 119/72, menopause 123/75), an altered left
ventricular diastolic filling pattern and a non significant increase
in LV mass as compared to ovulatory women.
Comment: This well designed case control study shows the
effects of menopause independent of age in hypertensive women.
(Betsy Ripley, M.D., Medical College of Virginia)
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12th Annual ASH Meeting
H: Special problems :
Women
H: Exam and lab tests :
Ambulatory monitoring