Renal Function, Cardiovascular Risks, and Heart Rate Variability in the Elderly with Prehypertension and Hypertension from Eastern Thailand: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Data from biochemical and physiological investigations in prehypertension (PreHTN) individuals is essential to understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms that cause progression from PreHTN to hypertension (HTN) stage. This study investigated renal function, cardiovascular risks, and heart rate variability (HRV) in the elderly with PreHTN and HTN. Ninety-nine elderly subjects with PreHTN (n = 49) and HTN (n = 50) from Eastern Thailand were evaluated with respect to their renal function, cardiovascular risks (plasma glucose, serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein, serum lipid profile, and atherosclerogenic index [AI]), and HRV. After 12 hour overnight fasting, serum creatinine concentration was lower and estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher in the PreHTN group compared to those in the HTN group (P < 0.05). Plasma glucose concentration was lower, but serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations and AI were higher in the PreHTN group compared to those in the HTN group (P < 0.05). HRV parameters were not significantly different between PreHTN and HTN groups. The results of this study showed that elderly persons with PreHTN had higher renal function than those with HTN. Nevertheless, they may be at risk for cardiovascular disease due to high serum TC and LDL-cholesterol concentrations.