Characteristics of Cardiovascular Morphology and Function in the High-Normal Subset of Hypertension Defined by JNC-VI Recommendations

A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the morphological and functional characteristics of the cardiovascular system among subgroups of hypertension defined by the JNC-VI recommendations. One hundred and sixteen subjects (normotensives and unmedicated hypertensives: 49±10 yr) were classified into 4 groups based on the criteria of JNC-VI: normotensive (NOR: n=38), high-normal blood pressure (HN: n=16), stage 1 hypertensive (SI: n=28), and stage 2 to 3 hypertensive (SII-III: n=34). Ultrasonographic examinations of the heart and carotid artery were performed in all subjects, and the following parameters were obtained: left ventricular mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness at end-diastole (RWTd), cardiac diastolic function (A/E), common carotid artery diameter (CAD), intimal media thickness of the common carotid artery (IMT), and distensibility of the common carotid artery (Distens). RWTd, A/E, and IMT in SI (RWTd, 0.41±0.07; A/E, 1.21±0.41; IMT, 0.69±0.17mm) and SII-III patients (0.40±0.08, 1.38±0.33, 0.80±0.21mm) were larger than those in NOR patients (0.33±0.03, 0.86±0.21, 0.56±0.10mm) (p