Endothelial function in sustained and white coat hypertension

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Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is a frequent finding in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess endothelial function, by evaluating circulating nitric oxide metabolites, nitrate plus nitrite (NOx), and endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDD), in white coat hypertension in comparison with sustained hypertension and normotension. We selected 22 sustained hypertensive, 22 white coat hypertensive, and 22 normotensive subjects matched for age, gender, body mass index, and occupation. Women were also matched for menopausal status. Subjects with smoking habit, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. White coat hypertension was defined as clinical hypertension and daytime ambulatory blood pressure (BP) v 22 ± 8.5 μmol/L, P < .05) and significantly higher EDD (7.8% ± 3.1% v 4.6% ± 3.0%, P < .05). No significant difference was observed between white coat hypertensive and normotensive subjects regarding these parameters. Endothelium-independent vasodilation was not significantly different among sustained hypertensives, white coat hypertensives, and normotensives (18% ± 4.2% v 18.3% ± 3.9% v 18.6% ± 4.8%, respectively, P = not significant). Our data suggest that middle-aged white coat hypertensive subjects without other cardiovascular risk factors do not show endothelial dysfunction in contrast with sustained hypertensive patients. Am J Hypertens 2002;15:946–952 © 2002 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.

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