Key Points
- To review circadian fluctuations in blood pressure, analyze associated regulatory neurohumoral factors, and evaluate chronotherapeutic approaches for hypertension management.
- Reviewed physiological evidence concerning 24-hour circadian rhythms of arterial blood pressure in healthy and hypertensive individuals.
- Evaluated diurnal variations in biomarkers influencing cardiac output (aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, urinary sodium) and peripheral resistance (plasma renin activity, catecholamines, prostaglandins).
- Blood pressure exhibits a consistent 24-hour circadian variation in both normotensive and hypertensive populations, reaching its lowest values during nighttime sleep.
- Hormonal and renal regulators of cardiac output and peripheral resistance display parallel circadian cycles, though direct causal mechanisms remain unconfirmed.
Structured PICO
PPopulationNormal and hypertensive subjects
IInterventionTreatment of hypertensive subjects in relation to circadian variability
OOutcomeCircadian variability of blood pressure and influencing factors
This review highlights the circadian variability of blood pressure and its influencing factors, emphasizing the potential relevance of chronobiology in the treatment of hypertension.