Differences in behavior profile between normotensive subjects and patientswith white-coat and sustained hypertension

It has been hypothesized that white-coat hypertensives (WCHs) have lower ca rdiovascular risk than sustained hypertensives (HTs), but higher emotional reactivity. We evaluated 92 HT patients (clinic and daytime BP>140/90 mmHg) , 52 WCHs (clinic BP>140/90 and ambulatory daytime BP<134/85 mmHg), and 74 normotensive subjects (NTs, clinic BP<140/90 and ambulatory daytime BP<134/ 85 mmHg), aged between 24 and 72 years, and matched for educational level, age, gender, and weight for depression, psychopathology, well-being, and qu ality of life. HTs showed worse scores than WCHs and NTs on most of the psy chological variables; no differences were found between WCHs and NTs except on physical mobility. Daytime BP variability was HTs>WCHs>NTs, whereas nig httime BP variability was HTs>WCHs=NTs. We conclude that HTs have worse psy chological profiles than the other two groups. WCHs and NTs have similar ps ychological profiles, although WCHs have a higher daytime BP variability, w hich is not associated with higher emotional reactivity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.