Hypertriglyceridaemia in mild hypertension: impact on cardiovascular and hormonal reactivity under different stress tests

Objectives: We investigated the significance of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) for associated components of the metabolic syndrome and stress reactivity in subjects with mild hypertension. Methods: Seventeen asymptomatic subjects with mild hypertension assessed by 24-h blood pressure (BP) measurement plus HTG (TG >2.3 mmol/l) were recrui ted and compared with age- and sex-matched subjects with hypertension alone and healthy controls. Cardiovascular and hormonal stress reactivity were t ested in a standardised programme consisting of 6 min mental stress, 3 min finger grip and a submaximal bicycle ergometry. Results: The hypertensive patients with HTG exhibited significantly higher fasting insulin, uric acid and gamma-GT levels and lower HDL-cholesterol, T he cardiovascular reactivity was similar in all three tests with respect to brachial and peripheral BP in the groups. Peripheral BP during the tests w as found to be higher particularly in subjects with hypertension alone. The correlations between BP parameters were disturbed in hypertensives with HT G. Latter group showed significantly higher dopamine, noradrenaline, as wel l as ACTH levels and an increased ACTH/cortisol ratio. Conclusion: HTG in mild hypertension is indicative for insulin resistance a ccompanied by a modified vascular reactivity as well as elevated catecholam ines and ACTH.