Reduced levels of N-terminal-proatrial natriuretic peptide in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome and their relationship with left ventricular mass

Abstract

The present study demonstrates that levels of NT-proANP are significantly reduced in hypertensive patients affected by MS, and they are significantly inversely related to the increased LVM observed in these patients. Our findings, while supporting previous experimental and clinical evidence of the antihypertrophic role of ANP in hypertension, may help to identify one of the possible mechanisms directly underlying LVH in MS.