Epidemiological Study on the Effect of Pre-Hypertension and Family History of Hypertension on Cardiac Autonomic Function

Jin Shang Wu, Feng Hwa Lu, Yi Ching Yang, Thy Sheng Lin, Jia Jin Chen, Chih Hsing Wu, Ying Hsiang Huang, Chih Jen Chang

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54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to examine the hypothesis that cardiac autonomic function (CAF) is altered in pre-hypertensive subjects and normotensive subjects with a family history of hypertension (FHH). Background: The findings on the FHH effect in CAF have been inconsistent, and little is known about altered CAF in pre-hypertensive subjects under The Seventh Report of the Joint National Commission on High Blood Pressure criteria of normotension and pre-hypertension. Methods: A total of 1,436 community dwellers were classified as having normotension without FHH (NT[-]), normotension with FHH (NT[+]), pre-hypertension, and hypertension. Cardiac autonomic function was determined by standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN), power spectrum in low frequencies (LF) and high frequencies (HF) and LF/HF ratio in supine position for 5 min, the ratio between the longest RR interval at approximately the 30th beat and the shortest RR interval at approximately the 15th beat after standing (30 max/15 min ratio), and the ratio between the longest RR interval during expiration and the shortest RR interval during inspiration (E/I ratio). Results: There was a significant difference in all CAF indexes among subjects with NT(-), NT(+), pre-hypertension, and hypertension. Multivariate analyses with an analysis of covariance model showed that 30 max/15 min ratio, E/I ratio, and HF power decreased in subjects with NT(+), pre-hypertension, and hypertension when compared with NT(-) subjects. Pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects displayed higher square roots of LF/HF ratios. Only pre-hypertensive subjects had higher LF power. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that CAF plays a role in pre-hypertension and that altered autonomic function is already present in subjects with FHH. An autonomic imbalance shifting with augmented sympathetic tone was more enhanced in pre-hypertension.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1896-1901
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume51
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 May 13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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