Noradrenergic hyperactivity in primary hypertension; central and peripheral markers of both behavioral pathogenesis and efficacy of sympatholytic and relaxation therapy

Clin Exp Hypertens A. 1988:10 Suppl 1:225-34. doi: 10.3109/10641968809075974.

Abstract

The effects of clonidine or relaxation therapy were determined in two separate groups of patients with primary hypertension. Ten patients were treated with clonidine monotherapy for 3 months. There were concurrent reductions of blood pressure, plasma and CSF norepinephrine, all p less than 0.01. The changes of blood pressure and norepinephrine were correlated, p less than 0.05 and 0.01, respectively. Thirty patients received hygienic instructions, and 17 of them had relaxation training in addition. Relaxation lowered blood pressures, p less than 0.01, the reduction of blood pressure was related to baseline plasma norepinephrine, p less than 0.05, and greater in patients with "raised" plasma norepinephrine, p less than 0.02. Plasma norepinephrine was lowered after hygienic therapy, p less than 0.05, the change was not significant after relaxation training. Arterial pressure elevation appears to be related to raised plasma norepinephrine. This noradrenergic hyperactivity is a marker for blood pressure responsiveness to sympatholytic therapy with clonidine or relaxation techniques.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Pressure
  • Clonidine / administration & dosage
  • Clonidine / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Hypertension / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism*
  • Relaxation Therapy*

Substances

  • Clonidine
  • Norepinephrine