Relationship between morning blood pressure surge and stroke,left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid intima-media thickness in elderly patients with essential hypertension

Objective To investigate the relationship between morning blood pressure surge(MBPS) and stroke,left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) and carotid intima-media thickness(CA-IMT) in elderly patients with essential hypertension. Methods The aged hypertensive patients(n=280) treated with anti-hypertension therapy were given 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM) and divided into MBPS group(n=96,MBPS≥35 mmHg) and non-MBPS group(n=184,MBPS35 mmHg). The data of stroke history was collected from the patients,and all patients were given echocardiogram and carotid artery ultrasound examinations. The indexes of blood fat,plasma glucose and renal function were detected and recorded in 2 groups. The relationship between MBPS and stroke,LVH and CA-IMT was investigated. Results The incidence rate of stroke was 40.6% in MBPS group and 28.3% in non-MBPS group(P0.01). The incidence rate of LVH was 54.2% in MBPS group and 40.2% in nonMBPS group(P0.05). The incidence rate of CA-IMT incrassation was 65.6% in MBPS group and 52.7% in nonMBPS group(P0.05). Conclusion The incidence rates of stroke,LVH and CA-IMT incrassation will increase in elderly patients with MBPS of essential hypertension,so at the same time of anti-hypertension,MBPS should be controlled for relieving target organ damage.