GW26-e0701 Arterial stiffness is increased in healthy subjects with a positive family history of hypertension

1. During 4 weeks 37 normotensive 50-year-old men identified by screening in a random population sample were given 12 g of NaCl daily, in addition to their usual dietary sodium intake. Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and catecholamines, plasma aldosterone and noradrenaline and intra-erythrocyte sodium content were determined on normal and increased salt intake. The subjects were divided into those with a positive family history of hypertension (n = 11) and those without such a history (n = 26). 2. Systolic blood pressure and weight increased significantly irrespective of a positive family history of hypertension. 3. On normal salt intake intra-erythrocyte sodium content was significantly higher in those with a positive family history of hypertension. During high salt intake intra-erythrocyte sodium content decreased significantly in that group and the difference between the hereditary subgroups was no longer significant. 4. In the whole group urinary excretion of noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine increased whereas plasma aldosterone decreased during the increased salt intake. 5. Thus, in contrast to some earlier studies performed in young subjects, our results indicate that moderately increased sodium intake acts as a pressor agent in normotensive middle-aged men whether there was a positive family history of hypertension or not. We confirm that men with positive family history of hypertension have an increased intra-erythrocyte sodium content, and that an increase in salt intake seems to increase overall sympathetic activity.

Download Full-text

Altered baroreflex sensitivity in young women with a family history of hypertension

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00471.2018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 121 (3) ◽

pp. 1011-1017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Evan L. Matthews ◽

Kelly N. Sebzda ◽

Megan M. Wenner

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Young Women ◽

Baroreflex Sensitivity ◽

Valsalva Maneuver ◽

Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽

Positive Family History ◽

The Future ◽

History Of ◽

Family History Of Hypertension ◽

Important Marker

A positive family history of hypertension (+FH) is a risk factor for the future development of hypertension. Hypertension is associated with reductions in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Therefore, we hypothesized that young women with a +FH [ n = 12, 22 ± 1 yr, body mass index (BMI) 21 ± 1 kg/m2, mean arterial pressure (MAP) 79 ± 1 mmHg] would have lower BRS compared with young women without a family history of hypertension (−FH) ( n = 13, 22 ± 1 yr, BMI 21 ± 1 kg/m2, MAP 77 ± 2 mmHg, all P > 0.05 between groups). Continuous measurements of muscle sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram derived R-R interval were recorded at rest and during a Valsalva maneuver. Both cardiovagal BRS and vascular sympathetic BRS were assessed. Resting cardiovagal BRS was reduced in the +FH women (all sequences: −FH 32.3 ± 3.7 vs. +FH 20.2 ± 2.9 ms/mmHg, P = 0.02). Cardiovagal BRS during phase IV (−FH 16.5 ± 2.7 vs. +FH 7.6 ± 1.3 ms/mmHg, P < 0.01) but not phase II (−FH 5.5 ± 0.9 vs. +FH 5.0 ± 0.8 ms/mmHg, P = 0.67) of the Valsalva maneuver was also lower in the +FH women. Vascular sympathetic BRS at rest (−FH −2.38 ± 0.7 vs. +FH −2.33 ± 0.3 bursts· min−1·mmHg−1, P = 0.58) and during the Valsalva (−FH −0.74 ± 0.23 vs. +FH −0.66 ± 0.18 bursts·15 s−1·mmHg−1, P = 0.79) were not different between groups. These data suggest that healthy young women with a positive family history of hypertension have reduced cardiovagal BRS. This may be one mechanism contributing to the increased incidence of hypertension in this population later in life. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Having a family history of hypertension increases the risk of developing future hypertension. Reductions in baroreflex function have been demonstrated in hypertension and are an important marker for future cardiovascular disease. We show that young women with a family history of hypertension have lower cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. This alteration in autonomic function may be one mechanism contributing to the future incidence of hypertension in this patient population.

Download Full-text