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24‐h Systolic blood pressure and heart rate recordings in lean and obese adolescents
Author(s) -
Framme Jenny,
Dangardt Frida,
Mårild Staffan,
Osika Walter,
Währborg Peter,
Friberg Peter
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-097x.2006.00679.x
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , cardiology , heart rate
Summary Objective We assessed the hypothesis that differences in day and night‐time systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) recordings were smaller in obese versus lean children and adolescents, and whether measurements obtained during a school week or during weekends or holidays influenced these nocturnal falls. We also wanted to determine whether the results were influenced by gender. Methods Ambulatory 24‐h BP and HR measurements were performed in 80 subjects, 51 girls and 29 boys. Lean ( n = 25) and obese ( n = 55) subjects were classified according to body mass index (BMI)–standard deviation (SD) criteria. Forty‐eight subjects had their 24‐h recordings performed during a school week and 32 during leisure time. Results The SBP nocturnal dipping response was less pronounced in obese subjects (16·2 ± 6·3 mmHg) compared with lean controls (21·1 ± 5·7 mmHg) ( P <0·01) of which the girls constituted most of the difference. HR change between day and night was similar in both groups being approximately 15 b/min. A small but statistical negative correlation was observed between BMI–SD and nocturnal fall in SBP ( r = −0·3, P = 0·0065). In all subjects, regardless of BMI–SD, daytime SBP was higher when readings were obtained during a school week (123 ± 7 mmHg) than during weekends or holidays (119 ± 7 mmHg) ( P = 0·029). Conclusion Obese children and adolescents showed smaller nocturnal falls in SBP compared with lean subjects. This pattern may cause increased cardiovascular loading; thus, it may reflect an early sign of high blood pressure development and adds to cardiovascular risk in young obese individuals.