Blood pressure variability and arterial stiffness

Abstract 

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is defined by the standard deviation of a given sample of population of normotensive or hypertensive subjects. Recent studies have suggested that this parameter might constitute a cardiovascular risk factor. Reduction of blood pressure variability could be an important purpose of anti-hypertensive treatment, as suggested from experimental studies. In a double-blind controlled investigation, the thiazide compound indapamide was compared to placebo, to the angiotensin blocker candesartan and to the calcium-entry blocker amlodipine for 12 weeks treatment. The 3 drugs reduced significantly and identically blood pressure. Only indapamide and amlodipine reduced significantly BPV. This study was the first to demonstrate the interest of BPV in the setting of a double-blind, placebo controlled, trial.

Keywords: Arterial stiffness, Blood pressure variability, Wave reflections