Increased β‐Thromboglobulin in Essential Hypertension: Interactions between Arterial Plasma Adrenaline, Platelet Function and Blood Lipids

Abstract

Twenty-three 50-year-old men with untreated, essential hypertension had elevated plasma concentrations of the platelet release product β-thromboglobulin (BTG) compared to 14 age-matched control men (pr=0.44, pr=0.73, pr=0.51, ppp<0.05). These findings are consistent with increased platelet activity in middle-aged men with essential hypertension, and may indicate that plasma adrenaline influences platelet function. The risk factors for coronary artery disease (blood pressure, lipid status, stress as evidenced by catecholamine release and platelet function) were positively related. Measurement of arterial instead of venous adrenaline is essential for the demonstration of the associations presented.