P-64: Nocturnal fall and "siesta" reduction in systolic blood pressure: Similarities and differences age & gender-related

Prognostic value of blunted BP night-time reduction might be useful in hypertensive evaluation. In the present study we evaluated pattern and profiles of 24-h ambulatory systolic BP recording, with regard to similarities and differences during afternoon (“siesta”) and night-time periods in six groups of age of untreated hypertensives: group I, from 35 to 40 years (104 males - 72 females); group II (110 M - 102 F) 41 to 45 years, group III (151 M-125 F) 46 to 50 years, group IV (86 M-106 F) 61 to 65 years, group V (53 M - 98 F) 66 to 70 years, group VI (31 M - 61 F) 71 to 75 years. All patients were uncomplicated and with no previous cardiovascular events and they carried out 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. Nocturnal systolic BP fall into three younger group of patients was always greater compared to the afternoon in both males and females, whereas into three elderly groups nocturnal systolic BP fall was blunted and with values comparable to that observed during siesta period in both males and females. (See <cross-ref type="fig" refid="fig1">Figure</cross-ref>) <fig loc="float" id="fig1"> <link locator="ajh.50A.f1"></fig>