Estudio del patrón circadiano de la presión arterial

Abstract

El uso de la monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial (MAPA) permite conocer las cifras de la presión arterial durante el día y la noche. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la prevalencia de los patrones circadianos de la presión arterial en pacientes tratados y no tratados, a los que se ha indicado el uso de la MAPA. Se ha incluido a 77 pacientes, de los cuales el 66% no muestra una correcta relación de las cifras de la presión arterial día/noche. A su vez, dichos pacientes han tenido mayor frecuencia de lesión de órganos diana y se ha asociado con una mayor edad. En los pacientes más jóvenes este patrón se ha relacionado con un índice de masa corporal más elevado.

Abstract/Purpose: ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) allows blood pressure levels to be assessed both in daytime and nighttime. We aimed at assessing the prevalence of blood pressure circadian patterns in treated and non treated patients by means of ABPM. Methods: a retrospective descriptive study based on ABPM reports from January 1st 2014 to December 31st 2015, in the context of an urban health center. Results: a total of 77 patients were included; 66% of them did not show an appropriate relationship between daytime and nighttime blood pressure levels. Such patients were more likely to have target organ lesions and were older. Presence of such a pattern in younger patients has been associated to a higher body mass index. Conclusions: prevalence of an altered circadian pattern was high, resulting in a higher cardiovascular risk. Factors associated to an altered circadian pattern include older age. ABPM has allowed people with a white coat phenomenon to be detected. Community nurses play a major role in high blood pressure control using this methodology.