Role of the autonomic nervous system in young, middle-aged, and older individuals with essential hypertension and sleep-related changes in neurocardiac regulation

Essential hypertension involves complex cardiovascular regulation. The autonomic nervous system function fluctuates throughout the sleep–wake cycle and changes with advancing age. However, the precise role of the autonomic nervous system in the development of hypertension during aging remains unclear. In this study, we characterized autonomic function during the sleep–wake cycle in different age groups with essential hypertension. This study included 97 men (53 with and 44 without hypertension) aged 30–79 years. They were stratified by age into young (< 40 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and older (60–79 years) groups. Polysomnography and blood pressure data were recorded for 2 min before and during an hour-long nap. Autonomic function was assessed by measuring heart rate variability and blood pressure variability. Data were analyzed using t tests, correlation analyses, and two-way analysis of variance. During nonrapid eye movement (nREM), a main effect of age was observed on cardiac parasympathetic measures and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), with the highest and lowest levels noted in the younger and older groups, respectively. The coefficients of the correlations between these measures and age were lower in patients with hypertension than in normotensive controls. The BRS of young patients with hypertension was similar to that of their middle-aged and older counterparts. However, cardiac sympathetic activity was significantly higher (p = 0.023) and BRS was significantly lower (p = 0.022) in the hypertension group than in the control group. During wakefulness, the results were similar although some of the above findings were absent. Autonomic imbalance, particularly impaired baroreflex, plays a more significant role in younger patients with hypertension. The nREM stage may be suitable for gaining insights into the relevant mechanisms.