Balarezo-Espinoza et al. (2026)
Palabras claves: hipertensión; variabilidad de la presión arterial; riesgo cardiovascular;
mortalidad; presión arterial sistólica; revisión sistemática.
Abstract
Background: Mean blood pressure (BP) remains the main therapeutic target in hypertension, but
intra-individual BP fluctuations may capture residual risk not reflected by average BP. Objective:
To synthesize evidence on the association of blood pressure variability (BPV) with cardiovascular
events and mortality in adults with hypertension. Methods: Focused systematic review and
evidence update of cohort studies and post hoc trial analyses in established hypertension. Visit-
to-visit variability—standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), variability independent
of the mean (VIM), and average real variability (ARV)—was prioritized, with 24-hour variability
considered secondarily. Outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE),
stroke, coronary events, heart failure, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. Because
exposure metrics, scales, and contrasts were highly heterogeneous, a qualitative synthesis was
performed. Results: Thirteen key studies were integrated. Most showed an independent graded
association between higher systolic BPV and adverse outcomes. In ASCOT-BPLA, the highest
decile of systolic SD was associated with stroke (HR 3.25; 95% CI 2.32–4.54). In VALUE
(
n=13,803), the highest quintile of systolic SD doubled cardiovascular event risk (HR 2.10; 95%
CI 1.70–2.40), while each 5-mmHg increase in SD increased mortality by 10% (HR 1.10; 95% CI
.04–1.17). In 225,759 Chinese adults with hypertension, each 10-mmHg increase in systolic SD
was associated with cardiovascular disease (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.30–1.39) and mortality (HR 1.40;
5% CI 1.34–1.45). Conversely, SPRINT did not show a consistent independent association for
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systolic office BPV under intensive control, and STEP suggested attenuation of prognostic value
with intensive treatment. Conclusions: Elevated systolic BPV is a reproducible prognostic marker
in hypertension, particularly when average BP control is not intensive or stable. BPV may
complement—but should not replace—mean BP control. Standardized thresholds and
measurement protocols are needed before routine use as a therapeutic target.
Keywords: hypertension; blood pressure variability; cardiovascular risk; mortality; systolic blood
pressure; systematic review.
clínicas. En la hipertensión crónica,
1. Introducción
la variabilidad visita a visita ha
recibido especial atención por su
posible capacidad para capturar
La hipertensión arterial es uno de los
principales
determinantes
enfermedad
modificables
de
inestabilidad
hemodinámica,
cardiovascular. La práctica clínica se
ha construido históricamente
adherencia irregular, rigidez arterial,
variación autonómica y diferencias
farmacodinámicas. [1–4]
alrededor de la PA promedio, pero
dos pacientes con una media similar
Las primeras señales robustas
provinieron de análisis de ensayos
pueden
longitudinales muy distintos. La VPA
describe las fluctuaciones
mostrar
perfiles
antihipertensivos.
Rothwell
y
colaboradores mostraron que la
variabilidad sistólica residual durante
el tratamiento fue un predictor
intraindividuales entre mediciones y
puede evaluarse en escalas de
segundos o minutos, durante 24
horas, día a día o entre visitas
potente de ictus
y
eventos
522