This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cirillo, M. Articles by Stamler, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cirillo, M. Articles by Stamler, J. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information High Blood Pressure

Hypertension, Vol 20, 319-326, Copyright © 1992 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

Hematocrit, blood pressure, and hypertension. The Gubbio Population Study

M Cirillo, M Laurenzi, M Trevisan and J Stamler
Division of Nephrology, First Medical School, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Baseline data from the Gubbio Population Study in north central Italy were used to investigate the relation of hematocrit to blood pressure and hypertension among 2,809 men and women aged 25-74 years. Independent of gender, age, and other confounders, the hypertensive group had a higher hematocrit than the nonhypertensive group (p less than 0.001). In comparison with the untreated hypertensive group, the hypertensive group being treated with diuretics or with other drugs only had similar mean hematocrit levels despite significantly lower blood pressures. Hematocrit was positively correlated with systolic pressure (r = 0.085, p less than 0.01 and r = 0.264, p less than 0.001 for men and women, respectively) and diastolic pressure (r = 0.214, p less than 0.001 and r = 0.266, p less than 0.001). In both sexes, whether or not the treated hypertensive group was included, age- adjusted prevalence of hypertension and average blood pressure were higher for persons in higher quintiles of hematocrit (p less than 0.001). The association of hematocrit with blood pressure and hypertension was significant and independent of several confounders. The regression coefficient of blood pressure on hematocrit ranged between 0.410 and 0.620 mm Hg per unit of hematocrit for systolic pressure and between 0.371 and 0.581 for diastolic pressure, depending on gender and whether the treated hypertensive group was included in multiple regression analysis. Based on exponentiation of the multiple logistic coefficient, prevalence of hypertension was at least two times greater for persons whose hematocrit levels were higher by 10 units.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Cirillo, M. P. Lanti, A. Menotti, M. Laurenzi, M. Mancini, A. Zanchetti, and N. G. De Santo Definition of Kidney Dysfunction as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: Use of Urinary Albumin Excretion and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Arch Intern Med, March 24, 2008; 168(6): 617 - 624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Natali, E. Toschi, S. Baldeweg, A. Casolaro, S. Baldi, A. M. Sironi, J. S. Yudkin, and E. Ferrannini Haematocrit, type 2 diabetes, and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation of resistance vessels Eur. Heart J., March 1, 2005; 26(5): 464 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J Smith, A. J Bleyer, W. C Little, and D. C Sane The cardiovascular effects of erythropoietin Cardiovasc Res, September 1, 2003; 59(3): 538 - 548. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Narkiewicz and V. K. Somers Interactive Effect of Heart Rate and Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity on Blood Pressure Circulation, December 21, 1999; 100(25): 2514 - 2518. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Benetos, A. Rudnichi, F. Thomas, M. Safar, and L. Guize Influence of Heart Rate on Mortality in a French Population : Role of Age, Gender, and Blood Pressure Hypertension, January 1, 1999; 33(1): 44 - 52. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Cirillo, L. Senigalliesi, M. Laurenzi, R. Alfieri, J. Stamler, R. Stamler, W. Panarelli, and N. G. De Santo Microalbuminuria in Nondiabetic Adults: Relation of Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Plasma Cholesterol Levels, and Smoking: The Gubbio Population Study Arch Intern Med, September 28, 1998; 158(17): 1933 - 1939. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Bertinieri, G. Parati, L. Ulian, C. Santucciu, P. Massaro, R. Cosentini, G. Torgano, A. Morganti, and G. Mancia Hemodilution Reduces Clinic and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Polycythemic Patients Hypertension, March 1, 1998; 31(3): 848 - 853. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Laurenzi, M. Cirillo, W. Panarelli, M. Trevisan, R. Stamler, A. R. Dyer, and J. Stamler Baseline Sodium-Lithium Countertransport and 6-Year Incidence of Hypertension: The Gubbio Population Study Circulation, February 4, 1997; 95(3): 581 - 587. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. Cirillo, M. Laurenzi, W. Panarelli, M. Trevisan, A. R. Dyer, R. Stamler, and J. Stamler Sodium-Lithium Countertransport and Blood Pressure Change Over Time : The Gubbio Study Hypertension, June 1, 1996; 27(6): 1305 - 1311. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. S. Sharp, J. D. Curb, I. J. Schatz, H. J. Meiselman, T. C. Fisher, C. M. Burchfiel, B. L. Rodriguez, and K. Yano Mean Red Cell Volume as a Correlate of Blood Pressure Circulation, May 1, 1996; 93(9): 1677 - 1684. [Abstract] [Full Text]