Longitudinal changes of cardiac troponin and inflammation reflect progressive myocyte stretch and likelihood for hypertension in a Black male cohort: The SABPA study.

Inflammation was cross-sectionally associated with subclinical wall remodeling and hypertension. Whether longitudinal changes (∆) in inflammation, myocyte injury (troponin T), and stretch (N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) are associated with hypertension and ECG left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) is unclear. The first prospective analysis in Africa assessing these associations included a cohort of Black and White teachers (N = 338; aged 20-63 years). Fasting blood samples were obtained to measure tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Ambulatory blood pressure, 2-lead ECG and resting 10-lead ECG values were obtained. A higher mean hypertensive status (62%) was evident in Blacks compared to Whites (44%, p < 0.001). Over 3-years, NT-proBNP increased in both ethnic groups. No associations were evident in women or in White men. In Black men, ECG-LVH at follow-up was positively associated with baseline cTnT (Adj R