The surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis includes the 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) in both time and frequency domains, and compares it with a normal control group of 40 cases. Compared to the normal control group, the hypertension group showed significantly lower HRV (P < 0.01). After treatment compared to before treatment, HRV was significantly increased (P < 0.01).
**Conclusions:** In patients with essential hypertension, HRV is decreased. Telmisartan can improve HRV and enhance autonomic nerve function in hypertensive patients.
(Qinyang, Henan 454550, China)
**[Abstract]** Objective: To determine the effect of telmisartan on heart rate variability in essential hypertension. Methods: 50 hypertensive patients received telmisartan at 80 mg per day for 12 weeks and underwent examination with a 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram before and after treatment. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, heart rate variability (HRV) in hypertensive patients was significantly lower (P < 0.01). HRV in hypertensive patients was significantly higher after treatment with telmisartan. Conclusion: HRV in hypertensive patients was lower than in healthy people. Telmisartan can improve HRV and autonomic nerve function in hypertensive patients.
**[Keywords]:** Hypertension; Heart rate variability; Receptor
Heart rate variability (HRV) as a non-invasive indicator of cardiovascular autonomic regulation function has been widely used in the prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. The activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increased sympathetic activity, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. This article aims to explore the influence of angiotensin II receptor 1 antagonist telmisartan on HRV in hypertensive patients.
**1 Subjects and Methods**
**1.1 Subject Selection**
From January 2006 to October 2006, 50 hypertensive patients from the outpatient and inpatient departments of Qinyang West Hospital were selected, including 24 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (51.36 ± 8.73) years. These patients met the 1999 WHO diagnostic criteria for hypertension. They underwent medical history inquiry, routine physical examination, urinalysis, electrocardiogram, X-ray, blood lipids, blood glucose, cardiac ultrasound echocardiography, and other checks. Patients with atrial fibrillation, serious arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, cardiac function greater than three (NYHA functional class), fitted with pacemakers, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, and diabetes were excluded. One week before the study, subjects did not take vasoactive drugs that could affect HRV.
Another 40 healthy subjects served as the control group, including 22 males and 18 females, with a mean age of (53.24 ± 9.6) years.
**1.2 Method**
Hypertensive subjects took 40 mg of telmisartan tablets every morning between 6:00 and 8:00, followed up after 2 weeks. Blood pressure was not...
**Received date:** 2008-04-10
**Author:** Chen Ha (1966), female, from Qinyang City, Henan Province, holds a college degree, is an attending physician, and is engaged in clinical medicine.