BLOOD PLATELET RELEASE CORRELATES WITH SERUM LIPIOS IN 50 YEAR OLD MEN WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

. 50 year old men with moderate, essential hypertension (n=39) were compared to normotensive males of similar age (n=31). The hypertensive men were heavier (10 kg in average, p<0.01), and had a higher pulse rate (5 beats per minute (p<0.05). Plasma β-thromboglobulin a marker of platelet release reaction, was 49% higher in the hypertensive group (p<0.01). Total cholesterol, LDL +VLDL cholesterol and serum triglycerides were not significantly different between the groups. In the hypertensive group, plasma β-thromboglobulin concentration correlated significantly with total cholesterol (r=0.47, p<0.01) as well as with LDL+VLDL cholesterol (r=0.50, p<0.01). In the normotensive group no such correlation was found. The results suggest activation of platelets in hypertension, and suggest that in hypertension, even a normal cholesterol concentration may influence platelet function.