Circadian blood pressure and heart rate profiles in normotensive patients with mild hyperthyroidism.

We investigated the influence of thyroid hormones on the circadian blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variations in 12 normotensive subjects and 12 normotensive patients with mild hyperthyroidism. BP and HR were monitored every 30 minutes for 48h, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded to measure the RR interval of the ECGs. We analyzed the circadian BP and HR variations, HR variability, and the morning rise in BP and HR. There was no significant difference in the average 24h BP between groups. HR and pulse pressure were higher in the hyperthyroid group than in the control group. Though the circadian BP pattern was similar in both groups, HR decreased at night in the control group, but not in the hyperthyroid group. Spectrum analysis of the RR interval showed no increase in the high-frequency (HF) component at night in patients with hyperthyroidism. The HR did not show a morning rise in the hyperthyroid group. These findings indicate that the circadian rhythm of HR was not preserved in patients ...