Objective To study the pattern of circadian blood pressure changes in patients with secondary hypertension. Methods The 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed in 80 patients with secondary hypertension ( SH ) including primary aldosteronisrn in 44, pheochromocytoma in 11, renovascular hypertension in 10, renoparenchymal hypertension in 15 and compared with 80 patients with essential hypertension (EH) matched by age and sex. Results The diurnal rhythm in patients with SH was different from that of patients with EH. The diurnal curves in SH and EH was overlapped in daytime and separated from each other at nighttime. The nocturnal blood pressure fall was less and average blood pressure at nighttime was higher in patients with SH than those in patients with EH (P<0.01). The nighttime blood pressure loading and non-dipper phenomenon were much more frequently seen in patients with SH than those in patients with EH (P<0.01). The nighttime blood pressure/daytime blood pressure ratio was significantly higher in patients with SH than that in patients with EH (P<0.01). Conclusion The non-invasive 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be a useful method in screening for SH.
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