Circadian blood pressure pattern and cardiac autonomic functions: different aspects of same pathophysiology
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hacettepe, Ankara Turkey
2Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara-Turkey
3Department of Cardiology Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara-Turkey
Anatol J Cardiol 2011; 11(2): 168-173 PubMed ID: 21303760 DOI: 10.5152/akd.2011.031
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Abstract

Arterial blood pressure fluctuates with a pattern that follows a circadian rhythm, with a peak in the early morning hours and a trough during nighttime. Nocturnal dipping of arterial blood pressure is part of this normal circadian pattern, and its absence, which is called non-dipping is associated with more severe end-organ damage and increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially in hypertensive patients. Although pathologic mechanisms are still unclear, it has been suggested that non-dippers show impairment in the autonomic system functions that include abnormal parasympathetic and sympathetic activities. Several studies have examined the role of the autonomic nervous system in the non-dipping phenomenon. In this paper, we aimed to review the studies evaluating the relationship between circadian arterial blood pressure pattern and indices of cardiac autonomic functions.