Key result
Objectively measured hot flashes preceded highly significant transient elevations in systolic blood pressure Z scores within 10 minutes, though the causal relationship remains unclear.
Why the study?
Are hot flashes associated with transient changes in ambulatory blood pressure in women aged 45 to 55 years?
Observational (n=202)
No
Are hot flashes associated with transient changes in ambulatory blood pressure in women aged 45 to 55 years?
Objectively measured hot flashes precede transient elevations of systolic blood pressure, suggesting a potential link between vasomotor symptoms and cardiovascular risk markers.
Hot flashes may prompt transient BP monitoring in midlife women; leaves open causal links to long-term CV risk.
OBJECTIVES: To examine ambulatory blood pressure (BP) differences between women who report hot flashes (HFs) and those who do not, and to observe whether an objectively measured HF is associated with transient changes in BP. HFs have been associated with elevated BP, but studies have not examined the relationship between objectively measured HFs and blood pressure during normal daily activities. METHODS: A sample of 202 women in Hilo, Hawaii, aged 45 to 55 years, were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included demographic information and an inventory of symptoms. The women underwent simultaneous 24-hour monitoring of ambulatory BP and HFs, at the same time keeping a diary that included mood and HF reports. RESULTS: No significant difference was present in mean BP between women who reported having an HF during the last 2 weeks and those who did not. When measurements controlled for negative mood reports and posture, there was a highly significant elevation in Z scores of systolic BP when a measured, objective HF occurred within 10 minutes before a BP reading, and a significant elevation of Z scores of diastolic BP when a subjectively reported HF occurred within 10 minutes after a BP reading. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that objectively measured HFs precede transient elevations of systolic BP, but it is unclear if there is a causal relationship. These results also suggest that women experience subjective HFs within 10 minutes after a transient increase in diastolic BP. Again, the causal relationship is not understood.
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Brown et al. (2010) conducted an observational in Hot flashes (n=202). Hot flashes vs. No hot flashes was evaluated on Ambulatory blood pressure differences and transient changes. Objectively measured hot flashes preceded highly significant transient elevations in systolic blood pressure Z scores within 10 minutes, though the causal relationship remains unclear.