Coexistence of non-dipper hypertension with other chronic diseases

Abstract

Background Hypertension is currently one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Level of blood pressure fluctuates over a 24-hour cycle. Depending on the incidence of daily blood pressure rhythm disorders, or a lack thereof, we can distinguish dipper and non-dipper profiles.

Material and methods The analysis covered medical documentation and a 24-hour blood pressure rhythm monitored by the ABPM system in selected 130 patients with diagnosed arterial hypertension, aged between 18 and 87, hospitalized in the years 2010–2014 in the Internal Medicine Department.

Results It was found that hypertension frequently occurred in obese patients, with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, hyperlipidaemia and thyroid diseases. A significant correlation was observed between dipper hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, as well as between non-dipper hypertension and smoking.

Conclusions Non-dipper type patients constitute a quite varied group in terms of concurrent diseases. These patients should be actively monitored for specific chronic illnesses.