AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITORING - QU ANTIFICATION OF THE EARLY-MORNING RISE IN BLOOD-PRESSURE

Though various parameters can be evaluated in ambulatory blood pressur e monitoring, there still is a lack of reliable parameters for exact q uantification of the early morning rise in blood pressure. Noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Spacelabs 90202) was performed in 50 healthy normotensive persons. After smoothing the 24-hour blood pressure profiles by Fourier analysis the derivative was calculated fr om the profiles and the following parameters of the early morning rise were determined: beginning and duration of the morning rise as well a s point of time and level of the maximum rise. The maximum rise was co mpared to the absolute value (difference of the morning peak and the n octurnal minimum) as well as to the percental rise. We found statistic ally significant correlation between the different methods of quantify ing the morning rise. Thus, Fourier analysis of 24-hour blood pressure profiles permits determination of reliable parameters of the early mo rning rise in blood pressure.