Family history of hypertension is associated with anthropometric and nitric oxide bioavailability alterations in adolescents

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a serious global health problem. Aside from the adult population, hypertension also affects the adolescent population, given the existence of a genetic predisposition and certain biopsychosocial changes associated with its development. Few studies have analyzed and associated the combination of family history, physical activity, anthropometric profile and fitness in blood pressure reactivity and bioavailability of nitric oxide in adolescents undergoing Shuttle run and cold-press tests. We evaluated 172 adolescents (N = 60[male]; N = 112[female]), which were classified as children of normotensive parents (CN; N = 38[male]; N = 48[female]) and children with a parental history of hypertension (CH; N = 22[male]; N = 64[female]). The subjects were divided into active and sedentary. The findings indicate the importance of analyzing family history predictors of hypertension, such as the anthropometric and biochemical changes that often precede the development of cardiovascular disease in adolescents. Children with a parental history of hypertension showed higher body fat, higher nitrite levels at rest and decreased bioavailability of salivary nitric oxide after an exercise test. Key Words: Hypertension, Physical Fitness, Heredity, Young