Influence of family history of hypertension on blood pressure and heart rate variability in young adults: a meta-analysis

Purpouse This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of family history of hypertension (FHH+) on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in young adults. Methods Observational studies that evaluated adults (aged between 18 and 40 years) of both sexes, are without cardiometabolic disease diagnosis, are published in English, and are reporting on the influence of FHH+ (father, mother, or both) on BP and HRV were included. In June 2021, we made a search of the electronic database MEDLINE (accessed by PubMed). Random-effects models were used, and data are reported as standardized mean difference and 95% confidence limits. Results Thirty-eight studies with a total of 2025 individuals were included. Clinic systolic [3.13 mmHg (1.75-4.51)] and diastolic [2.85 mmHg (1.65-4.04)] BPs were higher (P < 0.001) in individuals with an FHH+. Only 24-h systolic BP was higher [1.76 mmHg (0.05-3.47); P = 0.04] in individuals with an FHH+. As for HRV indices in time-domain, RMSSD: -7.00 ms (-10.75 to -3.26), SDNN: -13.93 ms (-23.56 to -4.30), and HF [-6.82 n. u. (-9.76 to -3.89)] were lower (P < 0.05), and LF [4.78 ms (2.52-7.03)] and LF/HF ratio [0.32 (0.14-0.50)] were higher (P < 0.001) in individuals with an FHH+. Conclusion FHH+ negatively impacts BP and HRV in young adults.