Seasonal Variations in Blood Pressure
Talma Rosenthal MD,
Talma Rosenthal MD
From the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorTalma Rosenthal MD,
Talma Rosenthal MD
From the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorTalma Rosenthal, MD, The Hella Gertner Chair for Hypertension Research, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer 52621, IsraelE-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
The influence of temperature changes on risk factors like hypertension is often disregarded despite extensive literature on the phenomenon. Numerous surveys and studies have documented the correlation between temperature and blood pressure in various countries among adults, the elderly, and children. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure studies also generally show higher blood pressure in the winter. The suggested etiology is that cold increases sympathetic tone, evidenced by elevated blood pressure and plasma and urinary noradrenaline concentrations. The lower blood pressure in warm temperatures is attributed to cutaneous vasodilatation and loss of water and salt from sweating. Taking seasonal variations in blood pressure into account will increase the meaningful information collected in population surveys and mass screenings. It will also result in more personalized management of antihypertensive medications tailored to the individual.
References
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