Detection of exaggerated blood pressure response using laboratory of physical science protocol and risk of future hypertension

Abstract

Detection of Exaggerated Blood Pressure Response Using Laboratory of Physical Science Protocol and Risk of Future Hypertension: Tsutomu ODAHARA, et al. Kagoshima Occupational Environmental Health Center-Objective: To assess the usefulness of the Laboratory of Physical Science (LOPS) protocol for detecting exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response as a risk factor for future hypertension when controlling for work and personal factors. Methods: Subjects were 815 healthy normotensive men (mean age, 43.1 ± 6.76 yr; range, 29-64 yr) who participated in the LOPS protocol, a graded 4-stage exercise test undertaken for the measurement of 40-70% of maximum oxygen consumption. A hypertensive response was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 250 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 120 mmHg during the exercise test. Results: New-onset hypertension or the initiation of antihypertensive drug treatment had occurred in 108 men (13.3%) after 7 yr of follow-up. Cox proportional survival analysis revealed significantly increased risks of developing hypertension were associated with exaggerated BP response to exercise (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-3.7) and higher frequency of business trips (hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.5) after multivariable adjustments for work and personal-related risk factors. Conclusions: These results suggest that the LOPS protocol is effective for detecting exaggerated BP response as a risk factor for future hypertension when controlling for work and personal-related risk factors. Exaggerated BP response to exercise and higher frequency of business trips are risk factors for developing future hypertension.