Platelet and haemorheological markers in high risk hypertensives are improved by tighter blood pressure control

Hypertensives at high cardiovascular risk demonstrate abnormalities of platelet, endothelial and hemorheological function. We investigated whether tighter blood pressure control would result in detectable improvements in platelet, endothelial and hemorheological function using plasma markers. Plasma levels of a marker of platelet function (soluble P-selectin), a marker of endothelial function (von Willebrand Factor, vWF) and hemorheological indices (fibrinogen and plasma viscosity, PV) were measured in 83 patients (70 male, mean age 63, SD 7.6 years) at baseline, and after six months intensified treatment. Using the Framingham risk equation their mean 10 year coronary heart disease risk was 26 SD 11%.(See Table) Values expressed as mean and (standard deviation). Values expressed as mean and (standard deviation).