Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003

4 p.m.* Abstract P10 High-normal blood pressure increases risk for organ damage. In a study of 265 people with normal blood pressure -- less than 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) -- researchers found that kidney damage is already present in people whose blood pressures fell in the "high-normal" range. Among participants, 73 had optimal blood pressure (less than 120/80 mmHg), 84 had normal pressure (less than 130/85 mmHg) and 108 were high-normal (130-139/85-89 mmHg). Researchers evaluated renal (kidney) function by a test for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and filtration fraction (FF). High GFR and FF indicate impaired kidney function. Cardiac morphology -- left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) -- was assessed with ultrasound. High LVMI and RWT indicate an enlarged heart. Kidney function and cardiac morphology worsened from the optimal to high-normal group. The proportion of subjects with target organ damage also increased from 7 percent in the optimal group to 13 percent in the normal group and 23 percent in the high-normal group. Further, in 28 patients who were followed for an average of six years, 13 of 16 with high-normal pressure became hypertensive. The scientists found that people with high normal blood pressure already had signs of target organ damage. Researchers also found a trend that people with high-normal blood pressure progressed to hypertension. Recently updated high blood pressure guidelines consider blood pressures measuring 120-139/80-89 mmHg as "pre-hypertension." Pre-hypertension is associated with significant and progressive increase in the risk of cardiovascular death. Pierre Fesler, Hospital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France; 33-46-733-8443;

Contact: Carole Bullock
carole.bullock@heart.org
214-706-1279
American Heart Association
25-Sep-2003