COMMENTARY

The Effects of Antihypertensive Meds on Microcirculation

Alan R. Jacobs, MD

January 10, 2018

This is the Medscape Neurology Minute. I'm Dr Alan Jacobs.

Researchers from Lancaster University published a study analyzing hypertension as a complex system involving time-dependent deterministic coupling parameters.^[1]

By the simultaneous recordings of electrocardiogram, respiratory effort, and microvascular blood flow, and by looking at time-dependent dynamics, they were able to define two coupled networks describing central and peripheral vascular systems, and compute spectral powers and coupling functions in three groups of subjects: healthy young (around age 20 years), healthy aged (around age 70 years), and aged treated hypertensive patients (also around 70 years).

The researchers found that coherence in blood flow and heart rate variability measures declined with age, nearly disappearing in treated hypertension. When healthy aged patients were compared with treated hypertensive aged, they found weaker coupling from vascular myogenic activity in treated hypertension subjects.

The researchers conclude that the mechanisms of microcirculation that are important in the efficient and adaptive behavior of the cardiovascular systems are not completely restored to normal by current antihypertensive medications.

This has been the Medscape Neurology Minute. I'm Dr Alan Jacobs.

References

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Alan R. Jacobs. The Effects of Antihypertensive Meds on Microcirculation - Medscape - Jan 10, 2018.

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