AMBULATORY SYSTOLIC BLOOD-PRESSURE IS RELATED TO THE DELETION ALLELE OF THE ANGIOTENSIN-I-CONVERTING-ENZYME GENE IN YOUNG NORMOTENSIVES WITH PARENTAL HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and ambula tory blood pressure in young normotensive males with (n=45) and withou t (n=100) family history of hypertension. Twenty-four hour and daytime systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in subjects with a p arental history of hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure values did not differ significantly across ACE genotypes in subjects with negativ e family history of hypertension. In subjects with a parental history of hypertension, there was a significant positive association between the D allele of the ACE gene polymorphism and 24-h, daytime and nightt ime systolic blood pressure, For twenty-four hour systolic blood press ure there was an average 9 mmHg difference between subjects with DD an d II genotypes. The results indicate that in normotensive subjects wit h a genetic predisposition to hypertension, ambulatory systolic blood pressure is related to the D allele of the ACE gene.