Brain natriuretic peptide in women with mild hypertension in perimenopausal period

Background Morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases increase rapidly in women after menopause. Relationship between menopause and hypertension has been a topic of investigation for several years. There are no evidences about the influence of menopause on brain natriuretic peptide level. Present studies indicate the important prognostic value of this parameter in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the level of N-terminal part of brain natriuretic peptide as well as the correlation of this factor with values of blood pressure in hypertensive women in relation to post- and premenopausal hormonal status. Material and methods The study included 112 women aged 45 to 55 years (mean age 50.73 ± 1.82 years) with mild essential hypertension confirmed by conventional blood pressure measurements and 24 h ABP monitoring (SpaceLabs 90207). The study population was stratified according to hormonal status: postmenopausal (group A; n = 61; age 51.03 ± 1.39 years) and premenopausal (group B; n = 51; age 50.37 ± 2.19 years). Fasting plasma level of NT-proBNP, was measured by immunochemical method. Results The level of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in women after menopause (1.88 ± 0.27 [75.86] vs. 1.75 ± 0.28 [56.23] log pg/ml; p = 0.016), in the whole group 1.82 ± 0.28 (66.07) log pg/ml. Conclusions The women after menopause are characterized by higher level of NT-proBNP than premenopausal ones. Furthure investigations are required to explain this phenomenon.