Heart rate and blood pressure variabilities in mild to moderate hypertensive patients with or without left ventricular hypertrophy

AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) variability in hypertensives with or without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). METHODS: Thirty-three mild to moderate hypertensive patients, mean age 45 +/- 15 years, underwent an echocardiogram, a 24 hr ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), a 24 hr ECG monitoring and a continuous BP recording over 15 minutes both in supine and standing positions, by using digital plethysmography (Finapres device). Statistical analysis: non parametric tests. RESULTS: [table: see text] CONCLUSION: LVH is associated with a reduction in the markers of sympathetic activity and a decreased baroreflex sensitivity.