BACKGROUND: Pulse pressure is a derivative of arterial stiffness. We have previously demonstrated ambulatory pulse pressure to be relatively independent from the blood pressure (BP) lowering during sleep, and thus of a neurogenic effect. On the other hand, white coat BP effects are thought to involve neurogenic activation. The aim of this work was to analyze white coat induced variability in pulse pressure. METHODS: Percent clinic-awake differences in systolic BP (SBP) and pulse pressure (white coat effects) were calculated for 688 consecutive subjects (mean age 60 +/- 16 years, 58% female). Of the subjects, 23% had controlled hypertension, 45% uncontrolled hypertension, 8% normotension, and 4% isolated office hypertension; all were referred to our unit for 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring. RESULTS: Pulse pressure highly correlated with SBP (r = 0.82, P <.00001). We found a larger white coat effect on pulse pressure than on SBP (8.3% and 5.2%, respectively, P < or =.0001). This was true in all subgroups except in normotensive subjects. Specifically, the magnitude of the white coat effect on pulse pressure was greater than on SBP in subjects with treated hypertension, untreated hypertension, and isolated office hypertension, and in young hypertensive subjects, older subjects, and those with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Although pulse pressure is related to the mechanical properties of large arteries, it is also influenced by the white coat effect, a neurogenic process. Furthermore, in hypertensive but not in normotensive subjects, the white coat effect on pulse pressure is significantly more pronounced than on SBP.
BACKGROUND: Pulse pressure is a derivative of arterial stiffness. We have previously demonstrated ambulatory pulse pressure to be relatively independent from the blood pressure (BP) lowering during sleep, and thus of a neurogenic effect. On the other hand, white coat BP effects are thought to involve neurogenic activation. The aim of this work was to analyze white coat induced variability in pulse pressure. METHODS: Percent clinic-awake differences in systolic BP (SBP) and pulse pressure (white coat effects) were calculated for 688 consecutive subjects (mean age 60 +/- 16 years, 58% female). Of the subjects, 23% had controlled hypertension, 45% uncontrolled hypertension, 8% normotension, and 4% isolated office hypertension; all were referred to our unit for 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring. RESULTS: Pulse pressure highly correlated with SBP (r = 0.82, P <.00001). We found a larger white coat effect on pulse pressure than on SBP (8.3% and 5.2%, respectively, P < or =.0001). This was true in all subgroups except in normotensive subjects. Specifically, the magnitude of the white coat effect on pulse pressure was greater than on SBP in subjects with treated hypertension, untreated hypertension, and isolated office hypertension, and in young hypertensive subjects, older subjects, and those with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Although pulse pressure is related to the mechanical properties of large arteries, it is also influenced by the white coat effect, a neurogenic process. Furthermore, in hypertensive but not in normotensive subjects, the white coat effect on pulse pressure is significantly more pronounced than on SBP.
Authors: Prossie Merab Ingabire; Dike B Ojji; Brian Rayner; Elijah Ogola; Albertino Damasceno; Erika Jones; Anastase Dzudie; Okechukwu S Ogah; Neil Poulter; Mahmoud U Sani; Felix Ayub Barasa; Grace Shedul; John Mukisa; David Mukunya; Bonnie Wandera; Charles Batte; James Kayima; Shahiemah Pandie; Charles Kiiza Mondo Journal: BMC Cardiovasc Disord Date: 2021-05-22 Impact factor: 2.298