Arterial Stiffness and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients With White Coat Hypertension

Objective: White coat hypertension (WCHTA) is not a benign process as previously believed. In many cases they end up being true hypertensives. Little has been published on the index of arterial stiffness and pulse pressures, as well as central pressures in such patients. To assess the arterial stiffness index, left ventricular hypertrophy and central pressures in patients with WCHTA and compare them with normotensive (PN) patients (P). Design and method: MATERIAL AND METHODS: we studied 100 P with WCHTA and compared them with another group of 100 normotensive P in whom a study was performed with ABPM, an echocardiogram to assess hypertrophy and central pressures were measured (Central sys, Central diast), as well as the augmentation index (AI). The results were compared and shown below: Results: Conclusions: P with WCHTA have higher blood pressures than those considered normotensive in both peripheral and central measurements. Likewise, these P have greater arterial stiffness than normotensives, more hypertrophy of the left ventricle and there is more diastolic dysfunction measured by the E/A index of mitral flow, which we will have to take into account when we encounter this type of P, since they also entail a greater cardiovascular risk.