CHARACTERIZATION OF HYPERTENSIVE SUBJECTS WHO BECOME NORMOTENSIVE DURING 3 MONTHS OF OFFICE BP FOLLOW-UP - COMPARISON WITH SUBJECTS WITH SUSTAINED HYPERTENSION AND NORMOTENSIVES, AND FOLLOW-UP AFTER 2 YEARS

After an observation period of three months, 83% of new hypertensives (n = 84), identified in a population survey, became normotensive. Thos e with sustained hypertension (n = 14) were compared with 14 initially hypertensives who became normotensive and 14 normotensives, matched f or age and sex, using ambulatory and exercise BP and echocardiography (both M-mode and Doppler). The initially hypertensive group (n = 11) w as re-examined after two years follow-up. The 24h mean ambulatory and submaximal systolic exercise BP did not differ between sustained (139/ 92 and 210 mmHg) and initially hypertensives (143/95 and 217 mmHg), be ing significantly lower in the normotensive group (129/85 and 198 mmHg ). Left ventricular mass did not differ between the initially hyperten sive and the normotensive groups, being significantly higher in the su stained hypertensives. In both hypertensive groups, as compared with n ormotensives, the ratio between flow velocity in early and late diasto le (F/A ratio) tended to be lower and the early diastolic deceleration time (DT) was significantly shorter. After two years, in the untreate d initially hypertensives, office DBP had increased to hypertensive va lues, without change in ambulatory BP, left ventricular mass or early diastolic deceleration time. The E/A ratio had decreased to a level <1 . We conclude that the subjects who became normotensive after three mo nths office BP follow-up have a BP load and signs of compromised left ventricular diastolic function similar to that of the sustained hypert ensives, but without increased left ventricular mass. After two years observation, the increase in office DBP was not accompanied by changes in ambulatory BP or left ventricular mass, but signs of compromised l eft ventricular diastolic function became more pronounced.