Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness increasing are negative prognostic markers in arterial hypertension. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was shown as a new negative prognostic marker in some cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To study the relation between endothelial function and RDW, arterial stiffness and RDW in young men with arterial hypertension.

Materials and Methods: 54 men, 29,9±0,9 ys (M±SE), with arterial hypertension, Grade I were examined. Flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) was assessed by Vivid 7 (GE), arterial stiffness by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) (Vasera VS-1000, Fukuda Denshi), RDW by Cell Din 3500 (Abbot).

Results: FMD ranged from 18,4% to −1,8 % (6,8 ±0,7%), PWV from 9,7 m/s to 16,3 m/s (12,1 ±0,2 m/s), RDW from 12,3% to 16,2 % (14,2 ±0,1%). Endothelial dysfunction was detected in 46% patients, increasing the arterial stiffness in 61% and elevated RDW in 37%. Patients with elevated RDW had lower FMD (4,6±0,4 % vs 8,0±0,4 %, p=0,01), more prevalence of endothelial dysfunction (70 % vs 33 %, p=0,01) and higher values of PWV (12,6±0,3m/s vs 11,9±0,2 m/s, p=0,04) in comparison with patients with normal RDW. RDW correlated with FMD: r = − 0,4, p=0,01. Chance of endothelial dysfunction in young men with arterial hypertension and elevated RDW is more in 5 times.

Conclusion: Endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness and elevated RDW have high prevalence in young men with arterial hypertension. Elevated RDW is accociated with endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness and may be considered as a perspective prognostic marker in arterial hypertension.