Family history of hypertension and left ventricular mass in youth: Possible mediating parameters

Whether positive family history (FH) of essential hypertension (EH) in norm otensive youth is associated with increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and hemodynamic anthropometric, and demographic parameters previously associat ed with increased LVM in adults is unknown, To examine these issues, 323 he althy youth (mean age, 13.6 +/- 1.3 years), 194 with positive FH of EH (61% African Americans, 39% whites) and 129 with negative FH of EH (33% African Americans. 67% whites) Evert evaluated. Hemodynamics were measured at rest and during four stressors (ie, postural change, car driving simulation, vi deo game, forehead cold). Echocardiographic-derived measures of LVM were in dexed separately to body surface area and height(2,7). Controlling for age and race differences (ie, 74% of African Americans v, 47% of whites had pos itive FH), the positive FH group exhibited greater LVM/height(2,7), LVM/bod y surface area, higher systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP), and total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) and lower cardiac index at res t (P < .05 for all). The positive FH group also displayed higher peak SEP o r DBP and higher TPRI increases to each stressor and came from lower socioe conomic status backgrounds (P < .05 for all). Regression analyses indicated that FH of EH was not a significant determinant of LVM/height(2,7) after a ccounting for contributions of gender (greater in men), general adiposity, resting cardiac index and blood pressure (BP), and TPRI responsivity to vid eo game and cold stimulation (P < .05 for all). Thus, greater LVM index; in positive FH of EH youth appears in part related to their greater BP and TP RI at rest and during stress. <(c)> 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.