Metabolic syndrome is associated with visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability in the US adults

Epidemiological studies have shown that blood pressure is not a constant variable. Evidence has accumulated showing that the blood pressure variability is associated with organ damage. A substantial increase in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has been documented globally. We examined the association of visit-to-visit blood pressure variability with the metabolic syndrome and its components, using data collected in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A multivariable generalized linear model was performed. The metabolic syndrome and its components, particularly hypertension, increased waist circumference and hyperglycemia, were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure variability across study visits (P<0.05). After adjusting for the effect of age, gender, race and antihypertensive medication, the multivariable analyses did not show significant relationships between the metabolic syndrome and diastolic blood pressure variability (P-values >0.05). Additional research is required to verify the observed results in prospective studies and evaluate approaches to reduce blood pressure variability observed in clinical settings among persons with the metabolic syndrome to reduce its subsequent complications.