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Impact of gender on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and target organ damage

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 658–665 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Differences between male and female subjects in mean 24 h blood pressure (BP) values and target organ damage such as left ventricular mass (LVMASS) and intima–media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries were explained. The study population consisted of 1445 subjects. All subjects underwent 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring, left ventricular echocardiography and measurement of IMT of carotid arteries. Men and women did not differ in age, body mass index (BMI) and clinic BP values. Mean 24 h systolic and diastolic BP were significantly higher in men compared to women. LVMASS corrected for body surface area or height2.7, IMT of common (MCCA) and internal (MICA) carotid arteries were found to be significantly higher in men compared to women. Analysis of covariance showed that men had significantly higher LVMASS, MCCA and MICA than women, after adjustment for BMI, age, smoking status, mean 24 h systolic and diastolic BPs, fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides. These findings indicate that male sex could be an important predictor of higher mean 24 h BP and target organ damage for subjects of similar BMI and clinic BP values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodestrial University, Athens, Greece

    V Kotsis, V Pitiriga, C Papamichael, S Toumanidis & N Zakopoulos

  2. Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Athens, Greece

    V Kotsis

  3. Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodestrial University, Athens, Greece

    S Stabouli

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  1. V Kotsis
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  2. S Stabouli
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  5. S Toumanidis
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  6. N Zakopoulos
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Correspondence to V Kotsis.

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Kotsis, V., Stabouli, S., Pitiriga, V. et al. Impact of gender on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and target organ damage. J Hum Hypertens 20, 658–665 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002047

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002047

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