The changes of plasma natriuretic peptide contents in essential hypertension patients

Objective: This study is performed to explore the correlation among plasma levels of natriuretic peptide [brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)] and blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic heart dysfunction in essential hypertension patients. Methods: Measurements were made on the plasma BNP content, plasma ANP content, left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular diastolic heart dysfunction in 50 patients with essential hypertension and the 20 controls. Results: The plasma content of BNP and ANP in essential hypertension patients was significantly higher than that in the controls (P<0.05). The plasma content of BNP in the group of essential hypertension patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular diastolic heart dysfunction were significantly higher than that in patients with normal left ventricular mass and diastolic heart function (P<0.05). Conclusion: The plasma contents of BNP and ANP were significantly higher in essential hypertension group compared with that in the control group, especially in the group of essential hypertension patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular diastolic heart dysfunction. (authors)