ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE AND BLOOD-PRESSURE IN A POPULATION-BASED SAMPLE

Objective: To assess the relationship of plasma atrial natriuretic pep tide (ANP) levels with blood pressure levels and the occurrence of hyp ertension in a large population-based sample. Design: We performed a c ross-sectional study of the relationship between ANP levels and blood pressure levels, diagnosis of hypertension, and family history of hype rtension in Caucasians from Rochester, Minnesota. Material and Methods : Plasma ANP and blood pressure levels were measured in 1,338 Caucasia n subjects who were members of 301 three-generation families from the population of Rochester, Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pr essure of 140 mm Hg or more or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more, Each subject in the parental generation was categorized as havi ng zero, one, or two parents with hypertension, Analyses were done sep arately for each generation and gender stratum. Results: Within gender and generation strata, we noted no consistent pattern of positive or negative correlation of plasma ANP levels with systolic blood pressure , diastolic blood pressure, or heart rate, Within the grandparental ge neration, mean plasma ANP levels did not differ between those with nor mal blood pressure and those with hypertension, In the parental genera tion, mean plasma ANP levels did not differ between subjects with zero , one, or two parents with hypertension. Conclusion: In Caucasians, in terindividual differences in plasma ANP levels are not associated with interindividual differences in blood pressure levels, the diagnosis o f hypertension, or family history of hypertension.