Blood pressure regulation and resting heart rate abnormalities in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome

ObjectiveTo assess the risk of cardiovascular disease on the basis of biochemical, echocardiographic, and 24-hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring parameters in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingAcademic and research institution.Patient(s)Thirty-four obese and nonobese girls with PCOS were evaluated and compared with body mass index–matched girls with regular menses.Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome Measure(s)Androgens, gonadotropins, lipids, and fasting and oral glucose tolerance test–stimulated glucose and insulin concentrations were measured. Echocardiographic assessment and 24-hour BP monitoring were done.Result(s)Compared with obese controls, obese girls with PCOS had significantly higher 24-hour mean BP, day mean BP, day diastolic BP, and diastolic BP nighttime dip (75.5 ± 4.5 mm Hg vs. 71.7 ± 3.7 mm Hg; 78.2 ± 5.0 mm Hg vs. 73.6 ± 4.0 mm Hg; 67.6 ± 4.9 mm Hg vs. 63.7 ± 3.7 mm Hg; and 20.2% ± 5.2% vs. 15.0% ± 6.6%, respectively). Obese girls with PCOS had significantly higher night heart rate than obese controls (60.4 ± 5.6 beats per minute vs. 61.7 ± 4.8 beats per minute). Left ventricle end-diastolic (4.6 ± 0.3 cm vs. 4.2 ± 0.2 cm) and end-systolic diameter (3.0 ± 0.3 cm vs. 2.7 ± 0.2 cm) were also significantly higher in nonobese girls with PCOS than in nonobese controls; however, all values were still within the accepted range of normal limits.Conclusion(s)Higher night heart rate in obese girls with PCOS and higher day BP but preserved diastolic nocturnal dip in nonobese girls with PCOS may be regarded as early cardiovascular disease risk factors.