Morning blood pressure surge and associated factors in patients with primary hypertension

Abstract

Introduction. Patients with arterial hypertension have a higher rate of morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) than non-hypertensive patients. MBPS increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, arterial stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid atherosclerosis, and vascular inflammation. The prevalence and predictors of MBPS may vary significantly between geographic regions. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of MBPS and associated factors in patients with primary hypertension. Material and methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in patients ≥35 years old, diagnosed with primary arterial hypertension, and hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology of Thanh Vu Hospital, Bac Lieu, Vietnam, between March 2019 and May 2020. Results. Among 126 hypertensive patients, 80 had MBPS (63.5%): 66 had systolic MBPS (52.4%), 65 had diastolic MBPS (51.6%), and 51 had both systolic and diastolic MBPS (40.5%). Nocturnal hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and stroke were statistically associated with MBPS. Conclusions. Since there is a high prevalence of MBPS, associated with multiple complications in patients with grade 2 or 3 hypertension, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement must be used in clinical practice in this group of patients, to ensure the timely detection and treatment of MBPS.

Keywords

• morning blood pressure surge
• primary hypertension
• left ventricular hypertrophy
• stroke