Photoplethysmography factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension in men with low and moderate cardiovascular risk

Aim. To study the functional state of the terminal arteries and arterioles of the skin using photoplethysmography (PPG) in men with hypertension (HTN) of low and moderate cardiovascular risk (CVR) and to identify morphofunctional diagnostic criteria associated with HTN. Material and methods. A total of 118 healthy men (30-60 years old) underwent clinical and biochemical blood tests, PPG, ultrasound of cardiac and main arteries, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. According to 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, two groups were formed: the control group — 59 normotensive men, HTN group — 59 men with HTN. Results. According to the PPG data, men with HN had higher normalized augmentation index (Alp75) (3,8 and -5,25%; (p<0,005)), stiffness index (SI) (7,6 and 7,35 m/s) (p<0,05) and reflection index (RI) (36,5 and 28,4%) (p<0,005), respectively. According to multivariate analysis, an increase in RI ≥30,6% (odds ratio, 4,6; p=0,0476) and SI ≥7,9 m/s (odds ratio, 3,69; p=0,019) was significantly associated with HTN. A regression model has been developed that includes age ≥35 years, RI ≥30,6% and SI ≥7,9 m/s, which allows predicting HTN in men with low and moderate cardiovascular risk with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 62,1%. Conclusion. Men with HTN of low and moderate CVR are characterized by an increase in vascular stiffness, tone of smooth muscle cells, terminal muscular arteries and arterioles, and an increase in pulse wave velocity. The developed model can be used to predict hypertension in these patients and determine indications for further examination.