Objectives: We compared the incidences of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), and arrhythmia in patients with dipper (DHT) and non-dipper (NDHT) hypertension.
Study design: Seventy-eight patients with essential hypertension were evaluated in two groups according to the results of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Compared to daytime values, those whose nighttime blood pressure decreased =or>10% were defined as dippers (n=44, 35 females, 9 males; mean age 59+/-8 years), and those whose blood pressure decreased <10% were defined as non-dippers (n=34, 28 females, 6 males; mean age 58+/-8 years). The two groups were compared with respect to blood pressure levels, echocardiographic findings, and rhythm disturbances on 24-hour Holter monitoring.
Results: Patients with NDHT exhibited significantly higher incidences of LVH (p=0.03) and LVDD (p=0.003). Aortic root diameter (p=0.001), end-diastolic thicknesses of the interventricular septum (p=0.002) and left ventricular posterior wall (p=0.03) were also significantly increased in this group. On 24-hour Holter monitoring, the number of patients with ventricular premature beat (VPB) (p=0.03), the total number of VPBs (p=0.03), and the number of VPBs per hour (p=0.001) were significantly greater in the NDHT group.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that, due to increased incidences of LVH, LVDD, and VPB, patients with NDHT should be further assessed with regard to increased risk for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.