Abnormal blood pressure patterns during sleep and overall high blood pressure may independently predict cardiovascular disease in patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), according to a recent update on research supported by the Lupus Foundation of America.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in these patients, so early non-invasive detection is important, especially since JSLE — a more severe form than the adult-onset disease — is associated with greater cardiovascular disease risk.
A significant portion of these patients have hypertension, one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, so frequent analysis of blood pressure is also important.
Changes in the blood pressure circadian (daily) cycle, particularly during sleep — when blood pressure naturally declines 10%–20% — have been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular complications in the general population.
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