[24-hour heart rate profile in assessment of target organs in women with arterial hypertension].

Aim: To study relationships of 24-hour heart rate (HR) profile with involvement of the heart and kidney in women with arterial hypertension (AH).

Material: We examined women (n=273) aged 40-70 years with essential 2-3 degree AH.

Methods: Blood pressure (BP) measurements (8 times in a week), electrocardiography, echocardiography, ambulatory BP monitoring, complex laboratory diagnostics.

Results: Less than 10% HR lowering was registered in 22.7% of patients. Compared with the group with normal HR profile this group was characterized by high levels of clinical systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP), mean 24-hour BP, nocturnal BP, SBP time index, as well as low levels of 24-hour SBP, HR, and HR variability. Same group had also significantly greater left atrial dimensions, and higher values of NT-proBNP and total risk according to SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation). Correlation analysis revealed significant reverse association between 24-hour HR index which reflected circadian character of cardiac rhythm, left atrial dimension (r=-0.212) and NT-proBNP (r=-0.346). Flat HR profile was not statistically significant for detection of cardiac pathology (odds ratio 1.19; 95% confidence interval from 0.67 to 2.14).

Conclusion: Insufficient nocturnal HR lowering in women with AH was not associated with significant changes of the myocardium and kidney and clear cat links with dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking.