open access

Vol 10, No 3 (2006)
Original paper
Published online: 2006-06-05
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Influence of short-term simvastatin administration on parameters of autonomic nervous system activity and blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without hypertension

Cezary Szmigielski, Bożenna Wocial, Hanna Ignatowska-Świtalska, Inga Chlewicka, Zbigniew Gaciong
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2006;10(3):180-189.

open access

Vol 10, No 3 (2006)
Prace oryginalne
Published online: 2006-06-05

Abstract

Background The beneficial effects of statins are probably not exclusively related to lipid lowering activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV), which can be used for studying autonomous nervous system activity.
Material and methods In a prospective, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, we studied 9 males and 11 females aged 55.2 ± 9.7 years with hypercholesterolemia (TC > 220 mg/dl), and normal blood pressure or essential hypertension stage 1–2. After 4 weeks of dietary modifications and placebo administration all subjects were given 20 mg of simvastatin for 4 weeks, followed by a placebo for another 4 weeks. Office and 24-h blood pressure (ABPM), the biochemical parameters of neuroendocrine function and HRV were evaluated. Time-domain and frequency-domain variables were studied such as: SDNN, r-MSSD, pNN50, TP, HF, LF and LF/HF ratio.
Results All subjects had significant decrease in total and LDL-cholesterol as well as triglycerides. However, four weeks of simvastatin was not associated with a significant change in office or ambulatory blood pressure. Treatment did not affect basal or stimulated plasma levels of catecholamines, aldosterone, cortisol, neuropeptide Y, renin activity. The differences in HRV between groups did not reach statistical significance. No significant correlation between changes in serum lipid levels and change in cardiac autonomic indices was found.
Conclusions This short, prospective, cross-over study has not shown significant effects of simvastatin on blood pressure, biochemical parameters of neuroendocrine function and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in patients with hypercholesterolemia with or without hypertension.

Abstract

Background The beneficial effects of statins are probably not exclusively related to lipid lowering activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV), which can be used for studying autonomous nervous system activity.
Material and methods In a prospective, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, we studied 9 males and 11 females aged 55.2 ± 9.7 years with hypercholesterolemia (TC > 220 mg/dl), and normal blood pressure or essential hypertension stage 1–2. After 4 weeks of dietary modifications and placebo administration all subjects were given 20 mg of simvastatin for 4 weeks, followed by a placebo for another 4 weeks. Office and 24-h blood pressure (ABPM), the biochemical parameters of neuroendocrine function and HRV were evaluated. Time-domain and frequency-domain variables were studied such as: SDNN, r-MSSD, pNN50, TP, HF, LF and LF/HF ratio.
Results All subjects had significant decrease in total and LDL-cholesterol as well as triglycerides. However, four weeks of simvastatin was not associated with a significant change in office or ambulatory blood pressure. Treatment did not affect basal or stimulated plasma levels of catecholamines, aldosterone, cortisol, neuropeptide Y, renin activity. The differences in HRV between groups did not reach statistical significance. No significant correlation between changes in serum lipid levels and change in cardiac autonomic indices was found.
Conclusions This short, prospective, cross-over study has not shown significant effects of simvastatin on blood pressure, biochemical parameters of neuroendocrine function and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in patients with hypercholesterolemia with or without hypertension.
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Keywords

hypercholesterolemia; blood pressure; heart rate variability; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

About this article
Title

Influence of short-term simvastatin administration on parameters of autonomic nervous system activity and blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without hypertension

Journal

Arterial Hypertension

Issue

Vol 10, No 3 (2006)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

180-189

Published online

2006-06-05

Page views

492

Article views/downloads

1018

Bibliographic record

Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2006;10(3):180-189.

Keywords

hypercholesterolemia
blood pressure
heart rate variability
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Authors

Cezary Szmigielski
Bożenna Wocial
Hanna Ignatowska-Świtalska
Inga Chlewicka
Zbigniew Gaciong

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