Changes in Parameters of Arterial Stiffness with Posture in 41 Hypertensive Patients on Anti-Hypertensive Treatment

1.1. Objective: To determine changes in parameters of arterial stiffness with posture in 41 hypertensive patients on anti-hypertensive treatment 1.2. Method: Postural variations of parameters of arterial stiffness are measured in hypertensive patients on anti-hypertensive medication (n=41). Operator index, central aortic systolic pressure (ASP), central aortic pulse pressure (APP), Augmentation Index (AI) and brachial systolic pressure (SP) and brachial diastolic pressure (DP) were measured in supine and sitting positions. Parameters of arterial stiffness were obtained through Sphygmo-Cor device between 8am to 10am initially on supine position. After three minutes, values in sitting position were obtained. Ethics approval was taken. Demographics such as age, race, gender, height and BMI were noted. Differences between BP characteristics in supine and sitting were compared using non-parametric paired test of Wilcoxon Signed-rank test. 1.3. Results: A statistically significant decrease in median APP (38(35-54) vs 38(31-48), p=0.0058) and a significant increase in median DP (74(69-83) vs 76(69-87), p=0.023) was observed in hypertensive subjects on medications when moved from supine into sitting position. 1.4. Conclusions: Parameters of arterial stiffness vary with postural changes in hypertensive subjects on anti-hypertensive medications. The parameters of arterial stiffness reduce in sitting position compared to supine position. The significance of these variations is not well known but it may indicate reduction in cardiovascular events when patient is in sitting positon and may be on activity or exertion.