8:30 a.m. Abstract 3151 "Masked" hypertension hides higher risk of organ damage. "Masked" hypertension the opposite of white coat hypertension is blood pressure that's actually lower in the doctor's office than the 24-hour average. A new study finds it's also riskier. Three hundred thirty-three patients taking anti-hypertensive drugs for at least a year were divided into four groups: controlled hypertension (low office, low 24-hour BP); white coat hypertension (high office, low 24-hour BP); masked hypertension (low office, high 24-hour BP), and sustained hypertension (high office, high 24-hour BP). Target-organ damage left ventricular mass index, carotid wall thickness and urinary albumin was most increased in those with masked hypertension. Researchers concluded that masked hypertension is a "significant predictor" of target organ damage, independent of other variables. Average day and night BP was higher in those with sustained hypertension, but short-term BP variations were higher in those with masked hypertension. This variability may account for the greater impact of masked hypertension, which poses "an independent risk for target organ damage."
9 a.m. Abstract 3078 What causes heart patients to delay seeking medical help? People with heart attack symptoms often delay seeking treatment, putting them at ris
'"/>
Contact: Carole Bullock
carole.bullock@heart.org
214-706-1279
American Heart Association
10-Nov-2004