Blood pressure variability in normotensive perimenopausal women: Non-dipping status, maximum blood pressure and arterial stiffness

Background Postmenopausal women are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension and at higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared with age-matched men. Blood pressure variability is emerging as a predictor adverse outcomes may be implicated in the relationship between menopause worsened vascular health women. We conducted an observational study, BRAVE (Blood pRessure And Vascular hEalth around menopause) study this relationship. Method Normotensive perimenopausal were recruited. was measured through 24-h blood monitoring. assessed arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), carotid intima-media thickness endothelial function (reactive hyperemic index). Multivariate models performed identify factors associated Results Forty-nine healthy (mean age 52.9 ± 4.0, 63% postmenopausal) There high prevalence (40%) night non-dipping, measure abnormal pattern variability. Aside from dipping, other measures similar premenopausal postmenopausal In multivariate analysis, body mass index only factor independently different variability, including maximum overnight (ß = 1.95, p < 0.01). The latter also significantly 0.035, 0.048). Finally, poor sleep increase stiffness. Conclusions Abnormal particularly common normotensive Maximum risk.