Objectives: We investigated the significance of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) for associated components of the metabolic syndrome and stress reactivity in subjects with mild hypertension.
Methods: Seventeen asymptomatic subjects with mild hypertension assessed by 24-h blood pressure (BP) measurement plus HTG (TG >2.3 mmol/l) were recruited and compared with age- and sex-matched subjects with hypertension alone and healthy controls. Cardiovascular and hormonal stress reactivity were tested in a standardised programme consisting of 6 min mental stress, 3 min finger grip and a submaximal bicycle ergometry.
Results: The hypertensive patients with HTG exhibited significantly higher fasting insulin, uric acid and gamma-GT levels and lower HDL-cholesterol. The cardiovascular reactivity was similar in all three tests with respect to brachial and peripheral BP in the groups. Peripheral BP during the tests was found to be higher particularly in subjects with hypertension alone. The correlations between BP parameters were disturbed in hypertensives with HTG. Latter group showed significantly higher dopamine, noradrenaline, as well as ACTH levels and an increased ACTH/cortisol ratio.
Conclusion: HTG in mild hypertension is indicative for insulin resistance accompanied by a modified vascular reactivity as well as elevated catecholamines and ACTH.