Relationship between carotid artery sclerosis and blood pressure variability in essential hypertension patients

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of carotid arteriosclerosis (CAS) and blood pressure variability (BPV) in patients with essential hypertension. Methods One hundred and forty four essential hypertension patients underwent ambulatory BP monitoring for 24 h after hospitalization. Common BPV metrics were calculated. General clinical parameters, including age, gender, height, weight, history of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and drink, were recorded. Biochemical indices were obtained from a blood test. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques were assessed to separate patients into a non-CAS group (IMT≤0.9 mm; n=82) and a CAS group (IMT>0.9 mm; n=62). BPV metrics and clinical parameters were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associated risk factors of CAS. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that two BPV metrics, the standard deviation of daytime systolic blood pressure (SSD) (OR: 1.587, 95%CI: 1.242–2.028), the difference between average daytime SBP and nighttime SBP (OR: 0.914, 95%CI: 0.855–0.977), as well as three clinical parameters (age, OR: 1.098, 95%CI: 1.034–1.167; smoking, OR: 4.072, 95%CI: 1.466–11.310, and fasting blood glucose, OR: 2.029, 95%CI: 1.407–2.928), were significant factors of CAS in essential hypertension patients. Conclusion SSD, in combination with the ageing, smoking and FBG, has been identified as risk factors for CAS in patients with essential hypertension.