Background: Blunted nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping has been observed in patients with various cardiovascular pathophysiology. However, the mechanisms underlying relationships between blunted dipping and pathophysiologic end points remain unclear. This study examined relationships between beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity and nocturnal BP dipping.
Methods: Ambulatory BP monitoring took place in each patient's home. On a separate occasion, beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity was determined by response to isoproterenol infusion.
Results: Participants with less sensitive beta-adrenergic receptors had less nocturnal BP dipping across BP measures (all P < .001).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity may contribute to relationships between blunted nocturnal BP dipping and various cardiovascular end points.