Clinical and Therapeutic Evaluation of Hypertensives According to the Practice of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM) at the Bel Air International Clinic in Conakry from January 1, 2019 to November 30, 2022

Introduction: Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM) is a non- invasive examination recommended for subjects at high cardiovascular risk, and those requiring a nocturnal drop in BP such as elderly and obese subjects, those with secondary hypertension or resistant, diabetics, subjects with metabolic syndrome or sleep apnea syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of ABPM in the diagnosis and evaluation of the level of control of hypertension under treatment at the Bel Air international clinic. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study, carried out at the Bel Air International Clinic in Conakry (Guinea) between January 2019 and November 30, 2022. It included a consecutive series of 180 consenting patients recruited through an ambulatory measurement of 24-hour blood pressure from a FUGADA brand device. Results: We collected 180 patients, with a male predominance (sex-ratio M/F = 2.46). The mean age of the patients was 48.48 ± 14.23 years. The most represented age group was that of 32 to 42 years with 50 cases (27.8%) followed by that of 43 to 52 years with 42 cases or 23.3%. The indication was for diagnostic purposes in 106 cases 58.9%, the therapeutic evaluation in 58 patients (32.2%). The examination was prescribed by a cardiologist in 98 cases (54.4%), a general practitioner in 71 cases (39.4%), a neurologist in 11 cases (6.1%). In the therapeutic evaluation, high blood pressure was controlled in 24 patients (13.3%) and uncontrolled in 34 cases (18.9%). In the diagnostic indication, high blood pressure was confirmed in 79 cases (43.9%) with a statistically significant link (Chi2 = 4.57 and p-value = 0.032). The nycthemeral mean was 187.27 ± 26.22 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 110.37 ± 19.06 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), during the day, 151.64 ± 21.45 mmHg for SBP and 71.59 ± 8.67 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. During the study 65 patients (36.1%) were identified as dippers and 115 patients (63.9%) were no-dipping. The antihypertensive protocol used was monotherapy in 68 cases (37.8%), dual therapy in 46 cases (25.6%), triple therapy in 17 cases (9.4%). However 39 patients or 21.7% were not taking any antihypertensive. Conclusion: This preliminary study, despite the modest sample size, showed the importance of ABPM as a tool for diagnosis, monitoring of hypertensive patients and therapeutic adaptation. A large-scale national study would be necessary for the rational use of ambulatory blood pressure measurement in our context in order to improve the management of hypertensive patients.

Ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring, antihypertensive therapy and the risk of fall injuries in elderly hypertensive patients

Background Fall injuries are common among the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate whether blood-pressure patterns, as measured by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring （ABPM）, or intensification of antihypertensive therapy following the 24-h ABPM, may be associated with fall injuries in hypertensive elderly patients. Methods In a retrospective study, community-based elderly patients （age ≥ 70 years） who were referred to 24-h ABPM were evaluated for fall injuries within one-year post-ABPM. We compared the clinical characteristics, 24-h ABPM patterns and the intensification of hypertensive therapy following 24-h ABPM, between patients with and without a fall injury. Results Overall 1032 hypertensive elderly patients were evaluated. Fifty-five （5.3%） had a fall injury episode in the year following ABPM. Patients with a fall injury were significantly older, and with higher rates of previous falls. Lower 24-h diastolic blood-pressure （67.3 ± 7.6 vs. 70.7 ± 8.8 mmHg; P 〈 0.005） and increased pulse-pressure （74.7 ± 14.3 vs. 68.3 ± 13.7 mmHg; P 〈 0.005）, were found in the patients with a fall injury, compared to those without a fall injury. After adjustment for age, gender, diabetes mellitus and previous falls, lower diastolic blood-pressure and increased pulse-pressure were independent predictors of fall injury. Intensification of antihypertensive treatment following the 24-h ABPM was not associated with an increased rate of fall injury. Conclusions Low diastolic blood-pressure and increased pulse-pressure in 24-h ABPM were associated with an increased risk of fall injury in elderly hypertensive patients. Intensification of antihypertensive treatment following 24-h ABPM was not associated with an increased risk of fall injury.

Comparison of Clinic and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Response to Antihypertensive Drugs in Chinese Patients

To compare the difference between 24-h ambulatory blood pressure （ABP） and trough clinic blood pressure （CBP） after 8 weeks of therapy. Methods The study used meta-regression analysis to summarize three randomized, double-blind, active controlled trials in order to compare the difference between the magnitude of the reduction in 24-h average ABP and CBP Patients. Chinese patients with seated diastolic blood pressure （SDBP） 95-115 mmHg and ambulatory diastolic blood pressure （ADBP）≥85 mmHg. Results The average age of 126 patients was 47.7 ＋ 8.3 years, ranging from 25 to 67 （95 males and 31 females）. All regimens reduced 24-h ABP and CBP after 8 weeks of treatment. In the 126 patients the baseline 24-h SBP and DBP values （142.7/94.4 mmHg） were markedly lower than those for clinic values （152.6/102.6 mmHg; P〈0.0001）. Similarly, the 24-h SBP and DBP values （132.7/87.7 mmHg） in week 8 were markedly lower than the clinic values （138.9/92.7 mmHg; P〈0.0001）. The differences between the treatment-induced reductions in 24-h ABP and CBP were statistically significant （the difference was 3.7/3.3 mmHg for SBP/DBP, P=O.OO69/P〈O.O001）. Conclusion All regimens significantly reduced seated CBP and ABP. The effect of antihypertensive treatment was greater on CBP than that on ABP, suggesting that assessment on effectiveness of an antihypertensive treatment using CBP readings only has to be carefully interpreted, and a more systematic application of ABP monitoring should be adopted.

Individualized Isonatremic and Hyponatremic Dialysate Improves Blood Pressure in Patients with Intradialytic Hypertension: A Prospective Cross-Over Study with 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Background. Intradialytic hypertension, a paradoxical rise in systolic blood pressure from pre- to postdialysis, is a poorly understood and difficult-to-treat phenomenon. We examined the effects of individually adjusted isonatremic and hyponatremic dialysate on intradialytic and interdialytic blood pressure in patients with intradialytic hypertension. Methods. We enrolled 11 patients with intradialytic hypertension in a prospective randomized cross-over study, with 4 treatment periods of different dialysate sodium concentrations. Period 1 (run-in) and 3 (wash-out) were standardized at 140 mEq/L;period 2 and 4 with iso- or hyponatremic sodium dialysate. Blood pressure was recorded each dialysis session, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed at the end of each treatment period. Results. Isonatremic and hyponatremic dialysate were associated with significantly lower pre- and post-dialysis blood pressure as compared to baseline 140 mEq/L dialysate (predialysis 148.3 ± 24.7/67.7 ± 12.0 and 144.4 ± 16.5/68.8 ± 13.3 vs. 158.0 ± 18.3/75.6 ± 11.4 mmHg, resp p = 0.04 and 0.007 for systolic and p = 0.004 and 0.04 for diastolic blood pressure;postdialysis 154.2 ± 25.5/76.6 ± 14.1 and 142.5 ± 20.7/73.0 ± 12.9 vs. 159.1 ± 21.6/80.3 ± 12.1 mmHg, resp NS and p = 0.01 for systolic and NS and p = 0.04 for diastolic blood pressure). Postdialysis and 24 h systolic blood pressure tended to be lower with hyponatremic compared to isonatremic dialysate. Conclusion. Individually tailoring dialysate sodium concentration, based on the sodium set-point of each patient, resulted in a lower pre- and post-dialysis blood pressure in patients with intradialytic hypertension. 24 h blood pressure values tended to be lower as well with hyponatremic dialysate.

Characteristic of Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Normotensive Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives To observe the characteristic of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in normotensive diabetic subjects with normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria. Methods Fifty-two normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes received ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were divided into normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric groups according to their albumin excretion rate, the other 28 normotensive subjects without diabetes were contributed as control group. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed on a working day and measurement of blood pressure circadian rhythm was analyzed. Results Normotensive microalbuminuric diabetic patients had higher night-time systolic blood pressure and more blood pressure burden than normotensive normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. Additionally, the microalbuminuric patients had a higher frequency of non-dippers than normoalbuminuric ones, although they were all normotensive. Compared to the normotensive non-diabetic control subjects, the night- time systolic blood pressure and frequency of non- dippers of the normoalbuminuric diabetic patients were significantly higher. Conclusions Intensive attention should be paid in control of blood pressure in diabetic patients to prevent and limit damage of target organ including kidney, even in those normotensive subjects.

Exercise-induced albuminuria and circadian blood pressure abnormalities in type 2 diabetes

AIMTo investigate the relationship between circadian vari-ations in blood pressure （BP） and albuminuria at rest, and during exercise in non-hypertensive type 2 diabetes （T2D） patients.METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional study in well controlled T2D patients, non-hypertensive, without clinical pro-teinuria and normal creatinine clearance. In each parti-cipant, we recorded the BP using ambulatory bloodTankeu AT et al . Exercise-induced albuminuria and BP in T2DMpressure monitoring （ABPM） for 24-h, and albuminuria at rest and after a standardized treadmill exercise.RESULTSWe enrolled 27 type 2 patients with a median age of 52; and a mean duration of diabetes and HbA1c of 3.6 ± 0.8 years and 6.3% ± 0.5% respectively. Using a 24-h ABPM, we recorded a mean diurnal systolic blood pressure （SBP） of 128 ± 17 mmHg vs nocturnal of 123 ± 19 mmHg （ P = 0.004）, and mean diurnal diastolic blood pressure （DBP） of 83 ± 11 mmHg vs nocturnal 78 ± 14 mmHg （ P = 0.002）. There was a signifcant difference between albuminuria at rest [median = 23 mg, interquartile range （IQR） = 10-51] and after exercise （median = 35 mg, IQR = 23-80, P 〈 0.001）. Patients with exercise induced albuminuria had an increase in nocturnal BP values on all three components （128 mmHg vs 110 mmHg, P = 0.03 for SBP; 83 mmHg vs 66 mmHg, P = 0.04; 106 vs 83, P = 0.02 for mean arterial pressure）, as well as albuminuric patients at rest. Moreover, exercise induced albuminuria detect a less increase in nocturnal DBP （83 vs 86, P = 0.03） than resting albuminuria.CONCLUSIONExercise induced albuminuria is associated with anincrease in nocturnal BP values in T2D patients.

Exercise-induced albuminuria vs circadian variations in blood pressure in type 1 diabetes

AIM To investigated the relationship between exerciseinduced ambulatory blood pressure measurement(ABPM) abnormalities in type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) adolescents. METHODS We conducted a case-control at the National Obesity Center of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon. We compared 24 h ABPM and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(ACR) at rest and after a standardized treadmill exercise between 20 Cameroonian T1 DM patients and 20 matched controls. T1 DM adolescents were aged 12-18 years, with diabetes for at least one year, without proteinuria, with normal office blood pressure(BP) and renal function according to the general referencepopulation. Non-diabetic controls were adolescents of general population matched for sex, age and BMI.RESULTS Mean duration of diabetes was 4.2 ± 2.8 years. The mean 24 h systolic blood pressure(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) were respectively 116 ± 9 mm Hg in the diabetic group vs 111 ± 8 mm Hg in the nondiabetic(P = 0.06), and 69 ± 7 mm Hg vs 66 ± 5 mm Hg(P = 0.19). There was no difference in the diurnal pattern of BP in diabetes patients and non-diabetic controls(SBP: 118 ± 10 mm Hg vs 114 ± 10 mm Hg, P = 0.11; DBP: 71 ± 7 mm Hg vs 68 ± 6 mm Hg, P = 0.22). Nighttime BP was higher in the diabetic group with respect to SBP(112 ± 11 mm Hg vs 106 ± 7 mm Hg, P = 0.06) and to the mean arterial pressure(MAP)(89 ± 9 mm Hg vs 81 ± 6 mm Hg, P = 0.06). ACR at rest was similar in both groups(5.5 mg/g vs 5.5 mg/g, P = 0.74), but significantly higher in diabetes patients after exercise(10.5 mg/g vs 5.5 mg/g, P = 0.03). SBP was higher in patients having exercise-induced albuminuria(116 ± 10 mm Hg vs 108 ± 10 mm Hg, P = 0.09). CONCLUSION Exercise-induced albuminuria could be useful for early diagnosis of kidney damage in adolescents with T1 DM.

The Relationship between Abnormal Circadian Blood Pressure Rhythm and Risk of Readmission in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Objective:Abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm has been revealed to be associated with hypertensive target organ damage and cardiovascular events,but its association with readmission risk in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)remains unknown.We conducted a retrospective study to explore the relationship between circadian blood pressure rhythm and readmission risk in HFpEF patients.Methods:We retrospectively collected baseline and follow-up data on HFpEF patients who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM)from May 2015 to October 2019.Patient circadian blood pressure rhythms defi ned by ABPM were grouped as dipper,nondipper,or riser patterns.Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between circadian blood pressure rhythm and readmission risk.Results:A total of 122 patients were enrolled in this study.The mean age and ejection fraction were 69.87 years and 61.44%,respectively,with mean the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)level being 1048.15 pg/mL.There were signifi cant differences in the 24-hour systolic blood pressure(SBP),sleep SBP,and sleep diastolic blood pressure(DBP)among the three groups,where the 24-hour SBP,sleep SBP,and sleep DBP in the riser pattern group were markedly higher than in the dipper pattern group.Notably,serum NT-proBNP levels,the proportion of patients readmitted for heart failure and the mean number of admissions differed markedly among three groups.Instructively,multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the riser pattern was a signifi cant and independent risk factor for increased serum NT-proBNP level(β=929.16,95%confi dence interval 178.79–1679.53,P=0.016).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,the riser pattern was demonstrated to be a signifi cant risk factor for readmission(odds ratio 11.23,95%confi dence interval 2.01–62.67,P=0.006)in HFpEF patients.Conclusion:The riser blood pressure pattern is a potential risk factor for elevated serum NT-proBNP level and readmission in HFpEF patients.

The relation between prognosis and nocturnal blood pressure variation in hypertensive patients with lacunar infarct

Objective We conducted a study using MRI and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM) to determine whether an in-apporpriately low nocturnal blood pressure, or an excess fall in nocturnal blood pressure, might be responsible for lacunar infarct. Method ABPM and Casul blood pressure(CBP) were examined in 35 hypertentives with lacunar infarct(LI)and 33 hypertentives without lacunar infarct as control group. Results There is no significant difference of CBP between two groups. But the mean nighttime systolic blood pressure (nSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (nDBP) in patients with lacunar infarct were significantly smaller than in patients without lacunar infarct. The ratio of nSBP/dSBP and nDBP/dDBP in SI were smaller than in control group respectively. Conclusions The results indicate that an inap-propriately low nocturnal blood pressure, or an excessive fall in nocturnal blood pressure, is associated with lacunar infarct. It is necessary not only to control high blood pressure but also to pay attention to circadian changes of blood pressure during the course of anti-hypertensive treatment.

Predictive Value of Blood Pressure,Heart Rate,and Blood Pressure/Heart Rate Ratio in a Chinese Subpopulation with Vasovagal Syncope

Objective:The head-up tilt test(HUTT)is widely used but is time-consuming and not cost-effective to evaluate patients with vasovagal syncope(VVS).The present study aims to verify the hypothesis that ambulatory blood pressure(BP)monitoring(ABPM)and the simplistic tilt test may be potential alternatives to the HUTT.Methods:The study consecutively enrolled 360 patients who underwent the HUTT to evaluate VVS.BP),heart rate(HR),and BP/HR ratios derived from ABPM and the simplistic tilt test were evaluated to predict the presence,pattern,and stage of syncope during the HUTT.Results:Mixed response was the commonest pattern,and syncope occurred frequently with infusion of isoproterenol at a rate of 3μg/min.During the simplistic tilt test,the cardioinhibitory group had higher tilted BP/HR ratios than the vasodepressor group,while the vasodepressor group had a faster tilted HR and a larger HR difference than the cardioinhibitory group.The higher the BP/HR ratio in the tilted position,the higher the isoproterenol dosage needed to induce a positive response.During ABPM,BP/HR ratios were signifi cantly higher in the cardioinhibitory group than in the vasodepressor group.The higher the ABPM-derived BP,the higher the dosage of isoproterenol needed to induce syncope.There were signifi cant correlations in BP/HR ratios between ABPM and the supine position in the vasodepressor group,while signifi cant correlation was found only for the diastolic BP/HR ratio between ABPM and the tilted position in the cardioinhibitory group.The mixed pattern shared correlative features of the other two patterns.Conclusion:ABPM and the simplistic tilt test might be used as promising alternatives to the HUTT in VVS evaluation in clinical settings.

THE CIRCADIAN ALTERATIONS OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH SECONDARY HYPERTENSION

Objective To study the pattern of circadian blood pressure changes in patients with se-condary hypertension. Methods The 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed in 80 patients with secondary hypertension (SH) including primary aldosteronism in 44, pheochromocytoma in 11, renovas-cular hypertension in 10, renoparenchymal hypertension in 15 and compared with 80 patients with essential hy-pertension (EH) matched by age and sex. Results The diurnal rhythm in patients with SH was different from that of patients with EU. The diurnal curves in SU and EU was overlapped in daytime and separated from each other at nighttime. The nocturnal blood pressure fall was less and average blood pressure at nighttime was higher in patients with SH than those in patients with Eli (P <0. 01). The nighttime blood pressure loading and non-dipper phenomenon were much more frequently seen in patients with SH than those in patients with Eli (P <0. 01). The nighttime blood pressure/daytime blood pressure ratio was significantly higher in patients with SH than that in patients with Eli (P <0. 01). Conclusion The non-invasive 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be a useful method in screening for

Association of blood pressure variability with target organ damage in older patients with essential hypertension

Background:Although multiple measures of blood pressure variability(BPV)have been proposed,whether they are better than mean blood pressure in predicting target organs is unclear.We aimed to determine the relationship between short term BPV and target organ injury.Methods:This study was a retrospective study,and 635 inpatients in the Department of Cardiology from 2015 to 2020 were selected.We divided participants into four groups on the basis of the quartiles of BPV.One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between the groups,and linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between BPV and target organ damage.Results:The average age of 635 patients was 74.36±6.50 years old.Among them,354 of 627 patients had diminished renal function(56.5%),221of 604 patients had associated left ventricular hypertrophy(36.6%),and 227 of 231 patients had carotid plaque formation(98.3%).The baseline data indicated significant differences in fasting glucose,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,creatinine,glomerular filtration rate,sex,calcium channel blocker use,and the rate of diminished renal function.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BPV was negatively correlated with renal injury(creatinine:r=0.306,p<0.01;estimated glomerular filtration rate:r=0.058,p<0.01),and BPV is positively correlated with cardiac injury(r=0.083,p<0.01).Elevated BPV was not found to be associated with vascularinjury.Conclusion:Renal function decreases with increasing BPV and left ventricular mass increases with increasing BPV.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for the management of hypertension

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM)has become indispensable in the current management of hypertension.ABPM is particularly useful in the accurate diagnosis of hypertension.Its diagnostic thresholds had been recently established based on hard clinical outcomes.Cross-classification of patients according to office and ambulatory blood pressure identifies white-coat,masked,and sustained hypertension.ABPM is also useful in cardiovascular(CV)risk assessment.It provides information on daytime and nighttime blood pressure and circadian rhythm,particularly nighttime blood pressure dipping.Nighttime blood pressure is predictive of CV risk independent of office and daytime blood pressure.Isolated nocturnal hypertension is a special form of masked hypertension,with normal daytime but elevated nocturnal blood pressure.It also helps in the evaluation of blood pressure fluctuation and variation,such as morning blood pressure surge and reading-to-reading blood pressure variability.ABPM may derive several other indexes,such as ambulatory blood pressure index and salt sensitivity index,which may be useful in CV evaluations.

Association between the rate of the morning surge in blood pressure and cardiovascular events and stroke

Background The exaggerated surge in morning blood pressure （BP） that many patients experience upon awakening may be closely related to target organ damage and may be a predictor of cardiovascular complications. However, no previous studies have evaluated the rate of this surge independently of the evening period. It remains unclear whether the rate of increase experienced during the surge is a significant or independent determinant of cardiovascular events. Methods We randomly selected 340 ambulatory BP monitoring （ABPM） patients. All subjects without type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into two groups： hypertensive group （n=170） and normotensive group （n=170）. We analyzed ambulatory blood pressure recordings using a double logistic curve-fitting procedure to determine whether the magnitude of the surge in BP and heart rate （HR） in the morning is related to the level of BP in hypertensive individuals. We evaluated the association between the rate of the morning surge in systolic BP （SBP） and the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Results Comparisons between hypertensive and normotensive subjects showed that the rates of the morning surges in SBP, mean BP （MBP）, and diastolic BP （DBP） were greater in the hypertensive group （P 〈0.05） than in the normotensive group. The rate of morning surge in BP was found to be correlated with the daytime SBP （r=0.236, P 〈0.01）, the difference between the day and night plateau （r=0.249, P 〈0.01）, and the night SBP （r---0.160, P 〈0.05）, respectively. After controlling for age, sex, and mean systolic pressure within 24 hours （24 h SBP）, the rate of morning surge in SBP was closely correlated with daytime SBP （r=0.463, P 〈0.001）, night SBP （r=-0.173, P 〈0.05）, and the difference between the day and night plateau （r=0.267, P 〈0.001）. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the rate of morning surge in SBP was an independent determinant of myocardial infarction （OR=1.266, 95% C1=1.153-1.389, P 〈0.001） and stroke （OR=1.367, 95% C/=1.174-1.591, P 〈0.001）. Conclusions The rate of the morning surge in BP is greater in hypertensive subjects than in normotensive subjects. Daytime SBP may be the best predictor of the rate of morning surge in SBP. The rate of the morning surge in BP is associated with cardiovascular and stroke events.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Formula on hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome:a randomized,placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Patients with hypertension coupled with metabolic syndrome （MetS） are among the high risk population in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is essential to appropriately control b^ood pressure together with other cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE： The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors by giving Yiqi Huaju Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to routine treatment to hypertensive patients coupled with MetS. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： A total of 43 patients with hypertension coupled with MetS were recruited into this study. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the Chinese herbal formula group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus Yiqi Huaju Formula, CHF） and the control group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus placebo）. The CHF group enrolled 22 patients while the control group received 21 cases. Treatments were given for 12 weeks in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Parameters examined include 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）, fasting glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc）, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （PPG）, fasting plasma insulin, serum lipid, etc. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, the CHF group had significant improvement （P〈0.01） in anthropometric parameters, FPG, HOMA-IR, blood pressure amplitude, blood pressure variability and blood pressure load. CONCLUSION： This study showed that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can achieve better results in controlling blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of controlling of blood pressure may be associated with the improvement of insulin sensitivity due to the Yiqi Huaju intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER： ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

Acute changes of blood pressure and heart rate induced by a strong earthquake

Ahigh death toll during an earthquake comes not only from injuries related to the destruction of buildings or road accidents but also from sudden death resulting from cardiovascular problems, as clearly shown in reports. The increased rate of cardiovascular mortality during an earthquake has been ascribed to the impact of a major emotional stress on the heart, mediated through an increase in cardiac sympathetic activity, and probably including some other neuroendocrine mechanisms. A rise in blood pressure （BP） and heart rate （HR） may be directly responsible for the increased rate of cardiovascular mortality during an earthquake. Previously published studies about the acute changes of BP and HR used indirect information,

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension with Parkinson's disease as a cause of syncope:A case report

BACKGROUND Syncope presents with diagnostic challenges and is associated with high healthcare costs.Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension(nOH)as one cause of syncope is not well established.We review a case of syncope caused by nOH in a patient with Parkinson's disease.CASE SUMMARY We describe a case of syncope caused by nOH in Parkinson's disease and review the literature.A 70-year-old man with Parkinson's disease had uncontrolled blood pressure for 1 mo,with blood pressure ranging from 70/40 to 220/112 mmHg,and once lost consciousness lasting for several minutes after getting up.Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring indicated nocturnal hypertension(up to 217/110 mmHg)and morning orthostatic hypotension(as low as 73/45 mmHg).Seated-to-standing blood pressure measurement showed that the blood pressure dropped from 173/96 mmHg to 95/68 mmHg after standing for 3 min from supine position.A diagnosis of nOH with supine hypertension was made.During the course of treatment,Midodrine could not improve the symptoms.Finally,the patient's blood pressure stabilized with simple strategies by strengthening exercises,reducing the duration of lying in bed in the daytime,and consuming water intake before getting up.CONCLUSION nOH is one of the causes of syncope.Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a cost-effective method for its diagnosis,and non-pharmacological measures are still the primary management methods.

Uncontrolled hypertension in older patients： markers and associated factors to masked and white-coat effect

Background Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, affecting more than half the elderly population. It is essential to know if they have proper control of hypertension. The aim of this study was to identify the associated factors to masked uncon- trolled hypertension and false uncontrolled hypertension in older patients. Methods Two-hundred seventy-three individuals （70.1±6.7 years-old） had blood pressure （BP） measured at the office and by ambulatory BP monitoring （ABPM）, with the definition of controlled group （C）, individuals with high office BP and adequate ABPM, called white-coat effect group （WCE）, uncontrolled （UC）, and subjects with ap- propriate office BP and elevated ABPM denominated masked effect group （ME）. Age, body mass index, diabetes, pulse pressure （PP） and BP dipping during sleep were evaluated （Kruskal-Wallis test and logistic regression models）. Results Age was higher in UC than in C and ME （P 〈 0.01）, and 24-h ABPM PP was lower in C （48± 7 mmHg） and WCE （51±6 mmHg） than in UC （67±12 mmHg） and ME （59±8 mmHg） （P 〈 0.01）. Sleep systolic BP dipping was lower in ME than in C （P = 0.03）. Female gender was associated with a greater chance of being of ME group, which showed a higher PP and lower BP dipping during sleep. Conclusions In older individuals, office BP measure- ments did not allow the detection of associated factors that would permit to differentiate WCE from UC group and C from ME group. ABPM favored the identification of a higher PP and a lower BP dipping during sleep in the masked effect and uncontrolled groups.

Approach by Health Professionals to the Side Effects of Antihypertensive Therapy： Strategies for Improvement of Adherence

The aim was to determine whether complaints about side effects made by stage Ill hypertensive patients undergoing antihypertensive therapy lead to adequate blood pressure control. Forty-eight patients were monitored by a nurse every 15 days over the course of 180 days. At baseline, both groups presented similar SBP （systolic blood pressure） （GA, 196 （5）） mm Hg and GB, 189 （6） mm Hg） and DBP （diastolic blood pressure） （GA, 122 （3） mm Hg and GB, 121 （4） mm Hg）. On day 165, after a progressive decline in blood pressure levels, the two groups differed significantly from each other regarding SBP （GA, -16.9 （24） mm Hg and GB, -40.8 （31） mm Hg）. At the final follow-up, the patients were allocated to two groups： without complaints （GA） and with （GB） complaints about side effects. Complaining about side effects was a decisive factor for immediate nursing intervention and improved control over BP.

Association of circadian blood pressure pattern and left heart chamber enlargement in hypertensive patients:A cross-sectional study

Background Non-dipping blood pressure(BP)pattern is a potential risk factor contributing to cardiac geometry change.Relationship between BP pattern and left atrium(LA)enlargement besides left ventricle(LV)structural change is seldom studied.Methods A total of 237 hypertensive and hospitalized adults were enrolled.Left heart chamber parameters were measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography,and BP circadian rhythm was evaluated by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.Night-day ratios of systolic BP(NDR-SBP)were calculated and BP patterns were classified into dippers,reduced-dippers,and risers,which were defined as NDR-SBP<0.9,≥0.9 and<1,≥1,respectively.Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter and left atrial diameter.Results Among enrolled participants,there were 62(26.2%)dippers,136(57.4%)reduced-dippers and 39(16.5%)risers.Briefly,57.8%were male and the mean age was 57.0±13.9 years.Compared to the dippers,both left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(44.4±4.3 mm in dippers,45.5±4.0 mm in reduced-dippers,46.5±4.5 mm in risers,P=0.045)and left atrial diameter(32.7±4.1 mm in dippers,34.3±4.7 mm in reduced-dippers,35.7±4.3 mm in risers,P=0.004)were progressively increased in reduced-dippers and risers.Logistic regression analyses showed that after adjusted for age,male gender,history of diabetes,blood lipid profiles,mean diurnal BP and estimated glomerular filtration rate,the association between increased LV diameter and riser BP pattern was significant(OR:2.621,95%CI:1.030-6.678)while the association between increased LA diameter and riser BP pattern was marginally significant.Conclusions The riser BP pattern is associated with the enlargement of LV and probably that of LA in hypertensive patients independent of 24-hour systolic BP level.