High white blood cell count precedes hypertension

April 1, 2004

Last Updated: 2004-03-31 14:44:09 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with a high number of white blood

cells have an increased likelihood of developing hypertension,

regardless of smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors, medical

researchers report.

The proportion of white blood cells (WBC) in the circulation can be used

as an indicator of infection or inflammation.

" Elevated WBC count is considered to be prospectively associated with

cardiovascular disease, " Dr. Anoop Shankar and colleagues from the

University of Wisconsin, Madison, write in the American Journal of

Hypertension. " However, its relationship to hypertension ... is not

clear, especially among women. "

The researchers used data from a large population-based study in

Wisconsin to look for a link between an elevated WBC count and the

development of high blood pressure in 2459 participants who started out

not having hypertension. The team adjusted for smoking and various other

potential risk factors.

Analysis of the data demonstrated a significant association between

increasing WBC count and increased risk of hypertension in the whole

cohort. The pattern held true in both men and women, and when smoking

and other related factors were accounted for.

" The association between WBC count and hypertension among women was

modest, but significant, " Dr. Shankar and colleagues write, " and larger

studies are required to confirm if this association is true among women

who never smoked. "

Additional research to examine this relationship in minority groups,

including African Americans, and if it is independent of C-reactive

protein -- a more specific marker of inflammation -- is also

recommended.

SOURCE: American Journal of Hypertension, March 2004.

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