PREDICTION OF RESTING CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTIONING IN YOUTH WITH FAMILYHISTORIES OF ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION - A 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Two hundred forty-six children (96 Whites, of whom 51 were males; 150 African-Americans, of whom 69 were males) with a familial history of e ssential hypertension (EH) were re-evaluated 5 years after an initial evaluation. During the initial visit, anthropometric, demographic, and resting cardiovascular (CV) parameters (designated initial baseline l evels) were assessed. These CV parameters (systolic and diastolic bloo d pressure [BP], heart rate, cardiac output index [CI], and total peri pheral resistance index [TPRI]) were also measured during postural cha llenge, a video game challenge, and a cold presser task. At follow-up, resting CV parameters were again evaluated, and designated as follow- up resting levels. Moderate temporal stability (r range =.43-.56) was observed for all resting CV parameters. Mean stress responses for each CV parameter for all 3 stressors during the initial visit were positi vely related to the respective CV follow-up resting level. BP stress r esponses to postural change and video game challenge were found to be significant independent predictors of future resting BP after controll ing for standard EH risk factors. Follow-up resting CI was not predict ed by any stress responses, whereas follow-up resting TPRI was predict ed by TPRI responses to the video game after controlling for standard EH risk factors. These results contrast with those from an earlier 1-y ear follow-up, where stress responses for neither CI nor TPRI predicte d follow-up resting levels. It appears that, as children get older, TP RI stress responses play a stronger role in vasoconstrictive function.