Change in renin, cardiovascular and inflammatory markers over three years in a black and white population: the SABPA study

Abstract

Background: To investigate if percentage change (%Δ) in renin over a 3 year follow-up is associated with %Δ in cardiovascular and inflammatory markers in a low renin bi-ethnic group. Methods: Blood pressure, active renin, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels of 73 black and 81 white teachers were measured at baseline and after 3 years. Results: In the black group, %Δ renin was inversely associated with %Δ systolic blood pressure (β = −0.27; p = 0. 011). In the white group %Δ renin was inversely associated with %Δinterleukin-6 (β = −0.24; p = 0.005). Conclusions: These prospective results indicate that a decrease in renin over time is associated with an increase in blood pressure in a low renin black South African cohort