Study of central aortic blood pressure in hypertensive patients & its relation with blood pressure-lowering drugs

Background & objectives: In clinical settings, peripheral blood pressure (PBP) is measured routinely. It is thought that central blood pressure (CBP) which reflects aortic BP, may be more predictive of outcomes in specific populations. Hence, this study was carried out to measure CBP in patients with hypertension and to see the effect of antihypertensive drugs on CBP. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 hypertensive patients and 134 normotensive healthy individuals as controls. Peripheral BPs and CBPs were measured of all patients and controls. The data were correlated and the effect of antihypertensive drugs on CBP was also evaluated. Results: Of the 134 hypertensive patients, 44 (32.84%) were newly diagnosed and the rest 90 (67.16%) had a history of hypertension and were on treatment. Of these 90 patients on treatment, 37 (41.11%) had uncontrolled peripheral BP and 53 (58.89%) had normal peripheral BP. Of the 134 hypertensive patients, 45 (33.58%) had controlled CBP. In 90 patients, who were on antihypertensive treatment, 45 (50%) had controlled CBP and 45 (50%) had uncontrolled CBP. Patients on calcium channel blockers (CCBs) had better control of CBP. Interpretation & conclusions: Hypertension is diagnosed mainly by measuring peripheral BP. CBP, which correlates better with the incidence of cardiovascular events, is not routinely measured. Patients with a history of hypertension and on treatment had normal office peripheral BP, but a few of them had high CBP and may require modification in treatment for control of CBP. Control of CBP was better in patients taking CCB.