[Early cardiovascular changes in young people with normal and normal-high blood pressure]

Abstract

Introduction: Increased cardiac mass, as well as reduced arterial distensibility, are well recognised independent cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the existence of early structural and/or functional alterations of the left ventricle (LV) and the aortic root in young people with optimal (O), normal (N) or normal-high (HN) blood pressure (BP).

Material and methods: BP was recorded, and LV mass (LVM), LV function, and aortic distensibility (AD) were evaluated by echocardiogram in medical students.

Results: The study included 754 students (271 males; 20.47±1.35 years old). According to their BP, 54% were classified as O, 32% N, and 14% HN. LVM index was higher in N (30.9±0.44g/m(2.7)), and HN (31.26±0.73g/m(2.7)) than O (28.39±0.29g/m(2.7), P<.01). Corrected mean ventricular shortening was similar between O (99.8±0.8%) and N (99.2±1.1%, ns), but smaller in HN (95.4±1.9%, P<.05). The e'/a' ratio used to evaluate LV diastolic function, was higher in O (2.18±0.03) compared to HN (2.03±0.06, P<.03). AD was lower in HN (1.41±0.05mmHg/cm(3)/m(2)) compared to N (1.22±0.02mmHg/cm(3)/m(2), P<.01) and O (1.14±0.01mmHg/cm(3)/m(2), P<.01).

Conclusions: Those young individuals with an N and HN BP showed an increased LVM index with decreased LV function and AD; evidence that would probably allow us to early identify non-hypertensive subjects with an increased cardiovascular risk.

Keywords: Arterial distensibility; Distensibilidad arterial; High-normal blood pressure; Jóvenes; Left ventricular mass; Masa ventricular izquierda; Normal blood pressure; Presión arterial normal; Presión arterial normal alta; Young population.