Relation of pulse pressure and blood pressure reduction to the incidence of myocardial infarction

Long-term pulse pressure trajectories and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: the Tromsø Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sex-based differences in the association of long-term trends in pulse pressure with future risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been explored using data from the population-based Tromsø Study 1986-2016.

METHODS

Women (n = 8331) and men (n = 7638) aged ≥20 years who attended at least two of the three Tromsø Study surveys conducted between 1986 and 2001 (the exposure period) were followed up for incident AF throughout 2016 (the follow-up period). Pulse pressure ≥60 mmHg was considered elevated. Group-based trajectory modelling and Cox regression were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Three long-term trajectory groups for pulse pressure were identified: Group 1 had normal pulse pressure throughout the exposure period, Group 2 had normal pulse pressure at the beginning and elevated pulse pressure at the end of the exposure period, and Group 3 had elevated pulse pressure throughout. Over the follow-up period, 568 (6.8%) women and 798 (10.5%) men developed AF. After adjustment for potential confounders at baseline, the long-term trajectory groups for elevated pulse pressure were associated with increased risk of AF in women, but not in men. In women, the adjusted hazard ratios of AF were 1.60 (95% confidence interval: 1.23, 2.09) for trajectory Group 2 and 2.78 (1.93, 4.02) for trajectory Group 3, compared with Group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term elevated pulse pressure trajectories were independently associated with increased risk of AF in women, but not in men. Our findings call for further investigations to understand the mechanisms behind these sex-based differences.

Admission pulse pressure and in-hospital mortality in type A acute aortic dissection: result from a Chinese study in stable patients on admission

OBJECTIVES

In recent years, several epidemiologic studies have shown that pulse pressure (PP) is a powerful predictor of mortality from many cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have reported the association between PP and adverse events during hospitalization in patients with type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between admission PP and in-hospital all-cause mortality, in patients with TAAAD of relatively stable patients.

METHODS

Patients with TAAAD of relatively stable patients admitted from January 2015 to December 2021 were included and divided into four groups according to the PP values measured at the time of admission: reduced group (PP ≤ 40 mmHg), normal group (40 < PP ≤ 56 mmHg), mildly elevated group (56 < PP ≤ 75 mmHg), and significantly elevated group (PP > 75 mmHg). A multivariate binary logistic regression model was constructed, plotted using nomogram and evaluated with ROC curve.

RESULTS

Admission PP and in-hospital all-cause mortality showed a "J-curve" correlation and in-hospital all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the significantly elevated group and reduced group (P = 0.002), respectively. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that significantly elevated PP (PP > 75 mmHg) (P < 0.001) and reduced PP (P = 0.043), D-dimer (P < 0.001), ascending aortic diameter (P = 0.037), Abdominal visceral vessels involved (P = 0.017), and coronary atherosclerosis (P = 0.003) and emergent surgery (P < 0.001) were independent predictive factors for in-hospital all-cause mortality. The AUC of ROC plotted was 0.827 (95% CI 0.774-0.880).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated a "J-curve" association of admission PP with in-hospital all-cause mortality in TAAAD. Significantly elevated and reduced admission PP, D-dimer, ascending aortic diameter and coronary atherosclerosis were independent risk factors for in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with TAAAD, and emergent surgery was a protective factor.

The relationship between intraoperative surrogates of vascular stiffness, cerebral aneurysms, and surgical outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Increased arterial stiffness has been linked to aneurysm formation in the systemic and cerebral circulations, though the role played by arterial stiffness in the cerebral vasculature continues to be refined. This study assesses whether intraoperative surrogates of arterial stiffness differ between patients with cerebral aneurysms and controls, and the extend that these indices relate to outcomes following open surgical treatment.

METHODS

We evaluated patients in a prospectively maintained database who underwent cerebral aneurysm surgery, and compared them to controls without cerebral aneurysms. Arterial stiffness was estimated using the intraoperative ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and average pulse pressure (PP).

RESULTS

We analyzed 214 cerebral aneurysm patients and 234 controls. Patients in the aneurysm group were predominantly female and had a higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and vascular disease. They also demonstrate elevated AASI and average PP. When stratified by the occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or unfavorable neurological outcome, the AASI and average PP were not highly associated with the occurrence of SAH but were highly associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes. After multivariable analysis, both the AASI and average PP were no longer associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes, however elevated age, strongly linked with arterial stiffness, became a key predictive variable.

CONCLUSION

Readily obtained intraoperative surrogates of arterial stiffening demonstrates its presence in those with cerebral aneurysm disease and the extent that it does it may meaningfully direct their clinical course. However, multivariable analysis demonstrates limitations of using arterial stiffness measures to predict clinical outcomes.

Change in pulse pressure and cardiovascular outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: The CLIDAS study

Background

Limited data exist on the prognostic value of changes in pulse pressure (PP, the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure) during hospitalization for patients with coronary artery disease who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

In the Clinical Deep Data Accumulation System (CLIDAS), we studied 8,708 patients who underwent PCI. We aimed to examine the association between discharge PP and cardiovascular outcomes. PP was measured before PCI and at discharge. Patients were divided into five groups (quintiles) based on the change in PPQ1 (-18.0 ± 9.9 mmHg), Q2 (-3.8 ± 2.6), Q3 (reference; 3.7 ± 2.0), Q4 (11.3 ± 2.6), and Q5 (27.5 ± 11.2). We then analyzed the relationship between PP change and outcomes.

Results

The mean patient age was 70 ± 11 years, with 6,851 (78 %) men and 3,786 (43 %) having acute coronary syndrome. U-shaped relationships were observed for the incidence rates of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE, a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke), revascularization, and hospitalization for heart failure (HF). After adjusting for confounding factors, higher PP at discharge was associated with an increased risk of MACCE (adjusted hazard ratio 1.41; 95 %CI, 1.06-1.87 in Q5 [73.9 ± 9.3 mmHg]). Evaluating PP change revealed a U-shaped association with MACCE (1.50; 1.11-2.02 in Q1 and 1.47; 0.98-2.20 in Q5). Additionally, Q5 had a higher risk for hospitalization for HF (1.37; 1.00-1.88).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate a U-shaped association between changes in PP and cardiovascular outcomes. This data suggests the significance of blood pressure control during hospitalization for patients who have undergone PCI.

The relative potential contribution of volume load and vascular mechanisms to hypertension in non-dialysis and dialysis chronic kidney disease patients

Background

Hypertension is highly prevalent and particularly difficult to treat adequately in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The relative contribution of volume overload and vascular mechanisms to blood pressure measures in CKD and whether these effects differ in non-dialysis compared to dialysis patients is unknown.

Methods

We determined the potential impact of volume load (stroke volume) and vascular mechanisms (inverse of total arterial compliance (inv TAC) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR)) on mean and brachial and aortic systolic blood pressures in 67 non-dialysis and 48 dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Relationships were determined in confounder adjusted regression models.

Results

Stroke volume (p value = 0.003) was more strongly associated with mean arterial pressure than SVR (p value = 0.9) (p value for difference = 0.03). When stroke volume and SVR were entered in the same regression model (model R2 = 0.324), they contributed equally to the variation in mean arterial pressure (p value for difference = 0.5). Stroke volume (p value ≤ 0.002) and inv TAC (p value ≤ 0.001) contributed equally to the variation in systolic pressures (p value for difference ≥ 0.9). When stroke volume and inv TAC were entered in the same regression model (model R2 = 0.752 to 0.765), they contributed equally to the variation in systolic blood pressures (p value for difference = 0.7). Stroke volume, TAC and SVR were similar (p value ≥ 0.5) and associated to the same extent with blood pressure measures in non-dialysis and dialysis CKD patients (p value for difference ≥ 0.1). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, elevated systolic blood pressure was determined by stroke volume (p value = 0.005) and inv TAC (p value = 0.03) but not SVR (p value = 0.8). The calculated power of the study was 0.999 based on α = 0.05.

Conclusions

The present investigation suggests that both volume load and vascular mechanisms should be considered in the management of hypertension among patients with CKD. The extent and relative potential impact of volume load and vascular mechanisms on blood pressure measures are as large in non-dialysis compared to dialysis CKD patients.

The cardiovascular changes underlying a low cardiac output with exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The significant morbidity and premature mortality of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is largely associated with its cardiovascular consequences. Focus has long been on the arterial atheromatosis of DM giving rise to early stroke and myocardial infarctions, whereas less attention has been given to its non-ischemic cardiovascular consequences. Irrespective of ischemic changes, T2DM is associated with heart failure (HF) most commonly with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Largely due to increasing population ages, hypertension, obesity and T2DM, HFpEF is becoming the most prevalent form of heart failure. Unfortunately, randomized controlled trials of HFpEF have largely been futile, and it now seems logical to address the important different phenotypes of HFpEF to understand their underlying pathophysiology. In the early phases, HFpEF is associated with a significantly impaired ability to increase cardiac output with exercise. The lowered cardiac output with exercise results from both cardiac and peripheral causes. T2DM is associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction based on LV hypertrophy with myocardial disperse fibrosis and significantly impaired ability for myocardial blood flow increments with exercise. T2DM is also associated with impaired ability for skeletal muscle vasodilation during exercise, and as is the case in the myocardium, such changes may be related to vascular rarefaction. The present review discusses the underlying phenotypical changes of the heart and peripheral vascular system and their importance for an adequate increase in cardiac output. Since many of the described cardiovascular changes with T2DM must be considered difficult to change if fully developed, it is suggested that patients with T2DM are early evaluated with respect to their cardiovascular compromise.

Pulse pressure and its association with body composition among Chinese men and women without diagnosed hypertension: the China Kadoorie Biobank

BACKGROUND

Wide brachial pulse pressure (PP) has been associated with cardiovascular events, while its population distribution and association with body composition were poorly characterized in large populations.

METHODS

We evaluated the age and sex distributions of PP and its associations with body composition using baseline data from the China Kadoorie Biobank. A total of 434 200 participants without diagnosed hypertension were included in the analysis. Wide PP was defined as PP above 65 mmHg. Body composition variables, including BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and body fat percentage (BF%), were obtained from bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 14.3% of the participants had wide PP. Older age was consistently associated with wider PP in women but only after the andropause stage in men. The independent associations of BMI with wide PP were stronger than other body composition measures. The adjusted differences (men/women, mmHg) in PP per standard deviation (SD) increase in BMI (1.55/1.47) were higher than other body composition (BF%: 0.32/0.64, waist circumference: 0.33/0.39; WHR: 0.49/0.42). In addition, sex differences were observed. In men, the per SD difference in PP was higher for FFMI than for FMI (0.91 vs. 0.67, P  < 0.05), whereas in women, it was higher for FMI than for FFMI (1.01 vs. 0.72, P  < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our nationwide population-based study presented the sex-specific distribution of PP over age and identified differential associations of PP with fat and fat-free mass in men and women.

Aortic blood pressure and pulse wave indices responses to exercise in peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) refers to obstructed blood flow in peripheral arteries typically due to atherosclerotic plaques. How PAD alters aortic blood pressure and pressure wave propagation during exercise is unclear. Thus, this study examined central blood pressure responses to plantar flexion exercise by investigating aortic pulse wave properties in PAD. Thirteen subjects with PAD and 13 healthy [age-, sex-, body mass index (BMI) matched] subjects performed rhythmic plantar flexion for 14 min or until fatigue (20 contractions/min; started at 2 kg with 1 kg/min increment up to 12 kg). Brachial (oscillometric cuff) and radial (SphygmoCor) blood pressure and derived-aortic waveforms were analyzed during supine rest and plantar flexion exercise. At rest, baseline augmentation index (P = 0.0263) and cardiac wasted energy (P = 0.0321) were greater in PAD due to earlier arrival of the reflected wave (P = 0.0289). During exercise, aortic blood pressure (aMAP) and aortic pulse pressure showed significant interaction effects (P = 0.0041 and P = 0.0109, respectively). In particular, PAD had a greater aMAP increase at peak exercise (P = 0.0147). Moreover, the tension time index was greater during exercise in PAD (P = 0.0173), especially at peak exercise (P = 0.0173), whereas the diastolic time index (P = 0.0685) was not different between the two groups. Hence, during exercise, the subendocardial viability ratio was lower in PAD (P = 0.0164), especially at peak exercise (P = 0.0164). The results suggest that in PAD, the aortic blood pressure responses and myocardial oxygen demand during exercise are increased compared with healthy controls.

Mixed effects logistic regression analysis of blood pressure among Ghanaians and associated risk factors

Blood pressure (BP) control is a global health issue with an increase in BP beyond the normal BP leading to different stages of hypertension in humans and hence the need to identify risk factors of BP for efficient and effective control. Multiple BP measurement have proven to provide BP readings close to the true BP status of the individual. In this study, we used multiple BP measurement data on 3809 Ghanaians to determine risk factors associated with BP. The data were obtained from World Health Organization study on Global AGEing and Adult Health. We defined high blood pressure (HBP) as [Formula: see text] 130/80 mmHg or normal as [Formula: see text] 130/80 mmHg. We provide summary statistics and also used the Chi-Square test to assess significance of association between HBP versus risk factors of HBP. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors of BP using the mixed effects logistic regression model. Data were analyzed using R version 4.2.2. The results showed that the risk of high blood pressure (HBP) decreases across the three measurement periods. There is reduced risk (OR = 0.274, 95% CI = 0.2008, 0.405) of HBP among male participants relative to female participants. The risk (OR = 2.771, 95% CI = 1.8658, 4.1145) of HBP increased by 2.771-folds among those who are 60 years and above relative to those below the age of 60 years. Those whose work involves/requires vigorous exercise has 1.631-fold increase in the risk (OR = 1.631, 95% CI = 1.1151, 2.3854) of HBP relative to those whose work does not involve vigorous exercise. There is approximately 5-folds increased in the risk (OR = 4.896, 95% CI = 1.9535, 12.2268) of among those who have ever been diagnosed with diabetes. The results also revealed high risk (OR = 1.649, 95%CI = 1.1108, 2.4486) of HBP among those who have formal education. The risk (OR = 1.009, 95% CI = 1.0044, 1.0137) of HBP increases with increasing weight and a reduced risk (OR = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.9921, 0.9993) of HBP with increasing height. We found that sad experience, either mild, moderate or severe, is associated with a reduced risk of HBP. Those who have vegetable servings at least 2 cups per day have increased risk of HBP and those who have fruits servings at least 2 cups per day is associated with a reduced risk of HBP, however this is not statistically significant. To achieve success in BP control, programs should be designed with the aim of reducing weight, educate those with formal eduction on issues relating to HBP. Those whose work requires vigorous exercise are recommended to have regular check-ups to ensure that pressure build-up in the lungs is cleared. SBP is lower for women at young age but continue to increase after menopause as their BP increase becomes salt-sensitive. Hence there is need to give more attention to menopausal women so as to improve BP. Both young and old individuals are recommended to practice regular exercise since this has shown to reduce risk of being overweight or becoming diabetic and reduces the risk of HBP at yong age and old age. Also, to improve blood pressure control, programs for management of blood pressure or hypertension should focus more short stature individuals since such people are more likely to experience HBP.

Interpretation of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Risk Stratification in Hypertensive Patients: The 'Ambulatory Does Prediction Valid (ADPV)' Approach

Several outcome-based prospective investigations have provided solid data which support the prognostic value of 24 h ambulatory blood pressure over and beyond cardiovascular traditional risk factors. Average 24 h, daytime, and nighttime blood pressures are the principal components of the ambulatory blood pressure profile that have improved cardiovascular risk stratification beyond traditional risk factors. Furthermore, several additional ambulatory blood pressure measures have been investigated. The correct interpretation in clinical practice of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring needs a standardization of methods. Several algorithms for its clinical use have been proposed. Implementation of the results of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the management of individual subjects with the aim of improving risk stratification is challenging. We suggest that clinicians should focus attention on ambulatory blood pressure components which have been proven to act as the main independent predictors of outcome (average 24 h, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure, pulse pressure, dipping status, BP variability).

BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Effect on Blood Pressure

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP) before and 15 min after two doses that were given 21 days apart. Materials and Methods: This active surveillance study of vaccine safety was conducted on 15 and 16 March (for the first dose) and 5 and 6 April (for the second dose) 2021 in an academic hospital. For both doses, SBP, DBP, MAP, and PP levels were measured before and 15 min after both doses were given to healthcare workers over the age of 18. The results of the study were based on measurements of the mean blood pressure (BP), the mean changes in BP, and the BP trends. Results: In total, 287 individuals received the vaccine. After the first dose, 25% (n = 72) of individuals had a decrease in DBP of at least 10 mmHg (mean DBP decrease: 15 mmHg, 95% CI: 14-17 mmHg), and after the second dose it was 12.5% (mean DBP decrease: 13 mmHg, 95% CI: 12-15 mmHg). After the first dose, 28.6% (n = 82) had a PP that was wider than 40 mmHg. After the first dose, 5.2% and 4.9% of the individuals experienced an increase or decrease in SBP, respectively, of more than 20 mmHg. After the second dose, the SBP of 11% (n = 32) decreased by at least 20 mmHg. Conclusions: Improved understanding of vaccine effects on BP may help address vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers.

Association Between Pulse Pressure With All-Cause and Cardiac Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome: An Observational Cohort Study

Background

Pulse pressure (PP) is a surrogate of aortic stiffness, and reflects cardiac performance and stroke volume. Previous studies have indicated that PP was a robust predictor of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. However, results have been mixed, and very few studies have focused on the association of PP with mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between admission PP and the prognosis of patients with ACS.

Methods

This cohort study included 10,824 patients diagnosed with ACS from the Cardiovascular Center Beijing Friendship Hospital Database Bank (CBDBANK) from January 2013 to October 2018. Patients with cardiogenic shock, malignancy, severe trauma and, no PP at admission were excluded. Restricted cubic spline and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to evaluate the association between PP and 1-year all-cause and cardiac mortality.

Results

In the whole cohort, a total of 237 (2.19%) all-cause deaths were reported at 1-year follow-up. Restricted cubic spline analysis suggested a J-shaped relationship between PP and mortality. Among patients with ACS, both lower and higher PP levels were related to an increased risk of mortality (Pnon–linear &lt; 0.001); with a PP level of 30 or 80 mmHg, as compared with 50 mmHg, the adjusted hazard ratios for 1-year all-cause mortality were 2.02 (95% CI, 1.27–3.22) and 1.62 (95% CI, 1.13–2.33), respectively, after adjustments for potential confounders. Similar results were observed for cardiac deaths. The J-shaped relationship between PP and mortality remained in a series of subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that both low and high PP were associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with ACS.

The Relationship between Pulse Pressure and Periodontal Disease in Korean Populations with or without Hypertension

Aims: This study evaluated the relationship between pulse pressure (PP) and periodontal disease in Korean adults with or without hypertension (classified as HTN and non-HTN, respectively). Methods: Data on 3496 adults (≥20 years) were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015). We classified those with HTN as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, or current use of anti-hypertensive medications. Results: There were a few key findings: when logistic regression analysis was applied for periodontal disease (community periodontal index score ≥ 3), the odds ratios (OR) were significantly higher in the high PP (PP > 60 mmHg) than in the normal PP (PP ≤ 60 mmHg) in the HTN group (OR, 2.131; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.579–2.876). However, periodontal disease was not associated with high PP in the non-HTN group and was not significant (OR, 0.866; 95% CI, 0.494–1.518). Conclusions: In Korean adults, periodontal disease was positively associated with PP in the HTN group but not in the non-HTN group.

Pulse pressure is associated with cognitive performance in Japanese non-demented population: a cross-sectional study

Background

Growing evidence suggests that vascular risk factors, especially hypertension, relate not only to cardiovascular disease but also to cognitive impairment. However, the impact of pulse pressure on cognitive function remains controversial. In this study, we evaluated the associations between pulse pressure and cognitive function in a Japanese health examination cohort using propensity matching analysis.

Methods

We examined 2,546 individuals with a mean age of 60.8 ± 10.3 years who voluntarily participated in health examination. Clinical variables included pulse pressure, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We divided the participants into the high and low pulse pressure groups with a pre-defined cut-off value of 65 mmHg and evaluated their physical examination data, cognitive functions including Okabe’s test, Kohs’ test, and silent brain lesions using propensity matching. To clarify whether pulse pressure and blood pressure have different implications for cognitive function, a mediating analysis was also conducted.

Results

From the 2,546 subjects, 439 (17.2%) were in the high PP group. The propensity matching algorithm produced 433 pairs of patients with similar propensities. Higher pulse pressure corresponded to lower Okabe and Kohs’ scores (44.3 ± 7.1 vs 42.7 ± 7.5; p = 0.002, 97.9 ± 18.0 vs 95.0 ± 18.1 p = 0.019, respectively). The relationship between pulse pressure and cognitive impairment was not significantly mediated by systolic blood pressure. We observed no significant associations between silent brain lesions and pulse pressure.

Conclusion

High pulse pressure was associated with lower cognitive performance without systolic blood pressure mediation in Japanese subjects without dementia.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-022-02666-6.

Hypertension Predisposition and Thermoregulation Delays in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder in which clinical, sonographic, and endophenotypic features have been underinvestigated or inconclusive, especially in the early stages of the disease (adolescence/young adulthood). Objective: This prospective pilot study focused on the differences of multiple physiological functions between Greek adolescent/young adult females suffering from PCOS and age- and body mass index (BMI)- matched healthy controls. Study design: Nineteen PCOS patients and eighteen healthy controls (aged 13 to 23 years) were studied for: (i) biochemical and hormonal dysfunction by measuring circulating glucose, insulin, and androgen levels; (ii) arterial stiffness with pulse wave analysis (PWA) by Sphygmocord; (iii) intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasound; (iv) heart rate variability (HRV) by Task Force Monitor; and (v) QT, QRS, QT, P, QRSD by electrocardiogram (ECG). Statistical analysis included Hedge’s g correction for small samples bias, and the results are shown using the Hedge’s g effect size and 95% CI, in line with precision medicine prerequisites. Results: Significant differences in pulse wave velocity (PWV) (g = 0.964 [0.296, 1.632]), subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) carotid (g = −0.679 [−1.329, −0.030]), pulse pressure (PP) carotid (g = 0.942 [0.275, 1.608]), systolic pressure (SP) carotid (g = 0.785 [0.129, 1.440]), free-testosterone (g = 0.677 [0.042, 0.312]), and Delta4-androstenedione (g = 0.735 [0.097, 0.373]) were observed between PCOS patients and controls. No differences were detected in the remaining endocrine and PWA or ECG biomarkers. Conclusions: Our multidisciplinary approach showed early onset of vascular dysfunction, predisposition to hypertension, thermoregulation delays, and metabolic syndrome changes in adolescent/young adult PCOS.

Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness Index, Pulse Pressure, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers of White Matter Integrity: A UK Biobank Study

Background

Alzheimer's disease and dementia in general constitute one of the major public health problems of the 21st century. Research in arterial stiffness and pulse pressure (PP) play an important role in the quest to reduce the risk of developing dementia through controlling modifiable risk factors.

Objective

The aim of the study is to investigate the association between peripheral PP, arterial stiffness index (ASI) and brain integrity, and to discover if ASI is a better predictor of white matter integrity than peripheral PP.

Materials and Methods

17,984 participants 63.09 ± 7.31 from the UK Biobank were used for this study. ASI was estimated using infrared light (photoplethysmography) and peripheral PP was calculated by subtracting the diastolic from the systolic brachial blood pressure value. Measure of fractional anisotropy (FA) was obtained from diffusion imaging to estimate white matter microstructural integrity. White matter hyperintensities were segmented from the combined T1 and T2-weighted FLAIR images as a measure of irreversible white matter damage.

Results

An important finding is that peripheral PP better predicts white matter integrity when compared to ASI. This finding is consistent until 75 years old. Interestingly, no significant relationship is found between either peripheral PP or ASI and white matter integrity after 75 years old.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ASI from plethysmography should not be used to estimate cerebrovascular integrity in older adults and further question the relationship between arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and white matter damage after the age of 75 years old.

Associations between measurements of central blood pressure and target organ damage in high-risk patients

Background

It is not well-known which components of central blood pressure (CBP) are more influential to target organ damage (TOD). This study aimed to determine the relationship between CBP measurements and various types of TOD in high-risk patients.

Methods

A total of 148 patients who had documented atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or its multiple risk factors were prospectively enrolled. CBP was measured by using applanation tonometry of the radial artery. The following nine TOD parameters were evaluated: left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness, septal e′ velocity, septal E/e′, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle-brachial index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine protein and obstructive coronary artery disease.

Results

The mean age of the study population was 67.1 ± 9.0 years and 108 (73 %) were male. Among four CBP measurements (systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse pressures), central pulse pressure (CPP) was associated with the largest number of TOD parameters. As CPP increased, the number of TOD increased (P = 0.010), but this association was not observed in other CBP measurements (P > 0.05 for each).

Conclusions

CPP had a stronger correlation with TOD than other CBP measurements. Non-invasive CPP could be a useful indicator for predicting TOD in patients at high coronary risk.

The diastolic blood pressure J-curve revisited: An update

Hypertension remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recent treatment guidelines stress more strict systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets without regard for abnormally low achieved diastolic blood pressures (DBP). However, as DBP falls below a critical level, adverse events increase, the so-called J-shaped curve. Proponents argue that the low DBP is causative due to reduced coronary perfusion during diastole with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), whereas others postulate the J-curve represents reverse causality from underlying comorbidity. Most data are observational, derived from population-based cohorts or post-hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCT) conducted for other reasons. The purpose of this review is to analyze the observational studies performed over the last decade addressing the J-curve, with consideration of earlier data. Overall, a J-curve exists, but it remains uncertain whether low DBP is causative or instead reflects reverse causation from either diseased vasculature (widened pulse pressure) or severe underlying comorbidity. The most convincing data for causation come from studies restricted to patients with documented CAD, with evidence suggesting revascularization may mitigate risk. RCTs are needed to determine if a low DBP should preclude intensification of therapy, especially with documented CAD. Firm recommendations cannot be made with contemporary data.

Influence of aging and increased blood pressure on oscillometric cuff pressure waveform characteristics

BACKGROUND

The oscillometric blood pressure (BP) measurement technique estimates BPs from analyzing the envelop of oscillometric cuff pressure waveform. The oscillometric waveform envelope shape is associated with physiological changes and influences BP measurement accuracy. The aim of this study was to comprehensively quantify BP- and age-related changes of oscillometric waveform envelope characteristics.

METHOD

Manual systolic and diastolic BPs were measured from 472 patients (219 female, 253 male), and the cuff pressure were digitally recorded during linear cuff deflation that was used to derive oscillometric waveform envelopes. All patients were divided into different categories according to their BP level and age. The envelope width in high-pressure region (above mean arterial pressure, MAP) and low-pressure region (below MAP) were compared between different BP and age categories to qualify their changes with increased BP and aging.

RESULTS

The envelop widths increased significantly with increased BPs (P < 0.001 between optimal, normotensive and hypertensive groups) and aging (P < 0.001 for >50 years old group in comparison with younger groups). The envelope widths in high-pressure region were significantly larger than in low-pressure region in normal and hypertensive categories (all P < 0.05) and elderly patients aged over 60 years (all P < 0.001), and the envelope width ratios between them increased with increased BP and aging.

CONCLUSION

This study has concluded an asymmetrical oscillometric waveform envelope in normotensive and hypertensive categories, as well as in elderly group (aged over 60 years), and their asymmetrical features were significantly more obvious with increased BP and aging.

Nighttime ambulatory pulse pressure predicts cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among middle-aged participants in the 21-year follow-up

Office pulse pressure (PP) is a predictor for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. Our aim was to evaluate ambulatory PP as a long‐term risk factor in a random cohort of middle‐aged participants. The Opera study took place in years 1991–1993, with a 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) performed to 900 participants. The end‐points were non‐fatal and fatal CV events, and deaths of all‐causes. Follow‐up period, until the first event or until the end of the year 2014, was 21.1 years (mean). Of 900 participants, 22.6% died (29.6% of men/15.6% of women, p<.001). A CV event was experienced by 208 participants (23.1%), 68.3% of them were male (p<.001). High nighttime ambulatory PP predicted independently CV mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI 95%] 1.08–6.31, p=.034) and all‐cause mortality in the whole population (HR 1.72; Cl 95% 1.06–2.78, p=.028). In males, both 24‐h PP and nighttime PP associated with CV mortality and all‐cause mortality (24‐h PP HR for CV mortality 2.98; CI 95% 1.11–8.04, p=.031 and all‐cause mortality HR 2.40; CI 95% 1.32–4.37, p=.004). Accordingly, nighttime PP; HR for CV mortality 3.13; CI 95% 1.14–8.56, p=.026, and for all‐cause mortality HR 2.26; CI 95% 1.29–3.96, p=.004. Cox regression analyses were adjusted by sex, CV risk factors, and appropriate ambulatory mean systolic BP. In our study, high ambulatory nighttime PP was detected as a long‐term risk factor for CV and all‐cause mortality in middle‐aged individuals.

Cellular dehydration acutely degrades mood mainly in women: a counterbalanced, crossover trial

It is unclear if mild-to-moderate dehydration independently affects mood without confounders like heat exposure or exercise. This study examined the acute effect of cellular dehydration on mood. Forty-nine adults (55 % female, age 39 (sd 8) years) were assigned to counterbalanced, crossover trials. Intracellular dehydration was induced with 2-h (0·1 ml/kg per min) 3 % hypertonic saline (HYPER) infusion or 0·9 % isotonic saline (ISO) as a control. Plasma osmolality increased in HYPER (pre 285 (sd 3), post 305 (sd 4) mmol/kg; P < 0·05) but remained unchanged in ISO (pre 285 (sd 3), post 288 (sd 3) mmol/kg; P > 0·05). Mood was assessed with the short version of the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS). The POMS sub-scale (confusion-bewilderment, depression-dejection, fatigue-inertia) increased in HYPER compared with ISO (P < 0·05). Total mood disturbance score (TMD) assessed by POMS increased from 10·3 (sd 0·9) to 16·6 (sd 1·7) in HYPER (P < 0·01), but not in ISO (P > 0·05). When TMD was stratified by sex, the increase in the HYPER trial was significant in females (P < 0·01) but not in males (P > 0·05). Following infusion, thirst and copeptin (surrogate for vasopressin) were also higher in females than in males (21·3 (sd 2·0), 14·1 (sd 1·4) pmol/l; P < 0·01) during HYPER. In conclusion, cellular dehydration acutely degraded specific aspects of mood mainly in women. The mechanisms underlying sex differences may be related to elevated thirst and vasopressin.

Intermittent fasting from dawn to sunset for four consecutive weeks induces anticancer serum proteome response and improves metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome is a significant risk factor for several common cancers (e.g., liver, colorectal, breast, pancreas). Pharmacologic treatments used for the components of the metabolic syndrome appear to be insufficient to control cancer development in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Murine models showed that cancer has the slowest progression when there is no food consumption during the daily activity phase. Intermittent fasting from dawn to sunset is a form of fasting practiced during human activity hours. To test the anticancer effect of intermittent fasting from dawn to sunset in metabolic syndrome, we conducted a pilot study in 14 subjects with metabolic syndrome who fasted (no eating or drinking) from dawn to sunset for more than 14 h daily for four consecutive weeks. We collected serum samples before 4-week intermittent fasting, at the end of 4th week during 4-week intermittent fasting and 1 week after 4-week intermittent fasting. We performed serum proteomic analysis using nano ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We found a significant fold increase in the levels of several tumor suppressor and DNA repair gene protein products (GP)s at the end of 4th week during 4-week intermittent fasting (CALU, INTS6, KIT, CROCC, PIGR), and 1 week after 4-week intermittent fasting (CALU, CALR, IGFBP4, SEMA4B) compared with the levels before 4-week intermittent fasting. We also found a significant reduction in the levels of tumor promoter GPs at the end of 4th week during 4-week intermittent fasting (POLK, CD109, CAMP, NIFK, SRGN), and 1 week after 4-week intermittent fasting (CAMP, PLAC1) compared with the levels before 4-week intermittent fasting. Fasting from dawn to sunset for four weeks also induced an anti-diabetes proteome response by upregulating the key regulatory proteins of insulin signaling at the end of 4th week during 4-week intermittent fasting (VPS8, POLRMT, IGFBP-5) and 1 week after 4-week intermittent fasting (PRKCSH), and an anti-aging proteome response by upregulating H2B histone proteins 1 week after 4-week intermittent fasting. Subjects had a significant reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, and improvement in blood pressure that co-occurred with the anticancer, anti-diabetes, and anti-aging serum proteome response. These findings suggest that intermittent fasting from dawn to sunset actively modulates the respective genes and can be an adjunct treatment in metabolic syndrome. Further studies are needed to test the intermittent fasting from dawn to sunset in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome-induced cancers.

Effect of the baseline pulse wave velocity on short term and long term blood pressure control in primary hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Arterial stiffness may affect antihypertensive response to antihypertensive treatment. However, sufficient clinical evidence is lacking. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the effect of baseline arterial stiffness measured by the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) on response to short-term and long-term enalapril-based treatment in 3310 hypertensive adults from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Blood pressure (BP) measured at three months (short-term) in 2780 subjects, and the time-average on-treatment BP in 3310 subjects during a median of 4.5-year follow-ups (long-term) were analyzed in the study. After short-term antihypertensive treatment, every 1 m/s increase in baPWV denoted a 7% and 6% decreased chance of achieving systolic BP (SBP) control (odds ratio (OR), 0.93; 95% CI 0.90, 0.96; P < 0.001) and BP control (OR, 0.94; 95% CI 0.91, 0.97; P < 0.001), respectively, after adjustment for age, gender and other variables. After long-term treatment, every 1 m/s increase in baPWV posed an 7% and 6% greater risk of failing to attain SBP control (OR, 0.93; 95% CI 0.90, 0.95; P < 0.001) and BP control (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92, 0.96; P < 0.001), respectively, not regarding for DBP control after both short- and long-term treatment. Higher baseline baPWV significantly decreased SBP reduction both after three months and the median 4.5-year treatment, while increased DBP reduction after the median 4.5-year treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated baseline baPWV significantly decreased BP response to short-and long-term treatment in adults with primary hypertensive. Arterial stiffness improvement may be an essential target to achieve adequate BP control.

Phthalate exposure linked to high blood pressure in Chinese children

BACKGROUND

Exposure to phthalate esters may be linked to the risk of high blood pressure (HBP), but limited evidence is available in Chinese children.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations between nine phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) and systolic/diastolic BP, pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the risk of HBP.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1044 primary school children (6-8 years old) were enrolled from Shenzhen, China, between 2016 and 2017. Nine mPAEs were analyzed from urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. A multivariable linear regression model was used to explore the associations between phthalate exposure and systolic/diastolic BP, PP, and MAP. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the associations between phthalate exposure and the risk of HBP.

RESULTS

Monomethyl phthalate (MMP) concentrations were significantly higher in HBP children than normal BP children. MMP, monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobutyl phthalate (MnBP), mono(5-carboxy-2-ethylpentyl) phthalate, mono-[(2-carboxy methyl)hexyl] phthalate (MCMHP), the sum of four short-chain mPAEs (∑LMW), and the sum of all nine mPAEs (∑₉mPAEs) were significantly positively associated with increases in systolic BP z-score, while only MMP was significantly positively associated with diastolic BP z-score. MMP, MiBP, MnBP, MCMHP, ∑LMW, and ∑₉mPAEs were significantly associated with increases in PP, while MMP and MnBP were significantly associated with increases in MAP. MMP was significantly associated with the risk of HBP, with an odds ratio of 1.87 (95% CI: 1.23, 2.85).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that dimethyl phthalate exposure increases the risk of HBP. And some types of phthalates are associated with elevations in systolic/diastolic BP z scores, PP, and MAP in Chinese children.

Distinct Contribution of Systemic Blood Flow to Hypertension in an African Population Across the Adult Lifespan

Although hypertension in groups of African ancestry is volume-dependent, the relative impact of systemic flow (stroke volume, peak aortic flow [Q]) versus vascular mechanisms (systemic vascular resistance, aortic characteristic impedance [Zc], total arterial compliance) components of arterial load has not been evaluated across the adult age range. In participants of African ancestry (n=824, age=16–99 years, 68.3% female), using central arterial pressure and aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract, we determined the hemodynamic correlates of age-related increases in blood pressure. Strong independent positive relations between age and stroke volume or peak aortic Q were noted ( P <0.0001), effects associated with ventricular end diastolic volume and aldosterone-to-renin ratios. Age-related increases in mean arterial pressure were associated with stroke volume and not systemic vascular resistance. Although age-Q relations began from early adulthood, initially an inverse association between age and aortic Zc ( P <0.0001) driven by increments in aortic root diameter ( P <0.0001) prevented an enhanced systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. When Zc began to positively relate to age ( P <0.0001), age-Q relations translated into increases in forward wave pressures and hence systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. Age relations with pulse pressure were as strongly determined by Q as by Zc or total arterial compliance (0.027±0.001 versus 0.028±0.001 and 0.032±0.003 mm Hg per yearly increase in pulse pressure produced by Q, Zc, and total arterial compliance; P <0.0001). Uncontrolled hypertension (confirmed with 24-hour blood pressure) was determined more by Q, Zc, and total arterial compliance than by increases in systemic vascular resistance ( P <0.0005 for comparison). In conclusion, relationships between age and systemic blood flow contribute markedly to hypertension in groups of African origins.

Increased Aortic Characteristic Impedance Explains Relations Between Urinary Na + /K + and Pulse or Systolic Blood Pressure

Alterations in sodium (Na + ) relative to potassium (K + ) intake increase systolic blood pressure, effects in-part attributed to enhanced pulsatile loads (pulse pressure) beyond steady-state pressures (mean arterial pressure). Whether this effect is through reversible changes (increases in blood volume and hence aortic flow [Q] or wave reflection [Pb]), or potentially irreversible structural changes in the proximal aorta, is unknown. In 581 black South Africans, we determined 24-hour urinary Na + and K + excretion and aortic function from central aortic pressure (radial pulse wave analysis [SphygmoCor software]), velocity, and diameter measurements. Proximal aortic function was assessed from characteristic impedance (Zc). Beyond mean arterial pressure and additional confounders, urinary Na + /K + was independently associated with Zc ( P <0.005) but not peak aortic Q ( P =0.30) or alternative aspects of Q or ejection volume. Although age was strongly associated with proximal aortic diameter, no independent relations between urinary Na + /K + and aortic diameter were noted ( P =0.17). Relations between urinary Na + /K + and Zc translated into independent relations with early systolic compression wave pressures (QxZc [P QxZc ]) and aortic forward wave pressures but not Pb. Moreover, neither reflected wave magnitude ( P =0.92) nor aortic pulse wave velocity were independently associated with urinary Na + /K + . In product of coefficient mediation analysis, the independent relations between urinary Na + /K + and peak aortic or brachial pulse pressure or systolic blood pressure were accounted for by Zc and P QxZc . In conclusion, abnormalities in Na + /K + intake determine pulse pressure or systolic blood pressure beyond mean arterial pressure mainly through potentially irreversible impacts on proximal aortic impedance rather than readily modifiable increases in aortic flow (blood volume) or wave reflection.

Osmotic stimulation of vasopressin acutely impairs glucose regulation: a counterbalanced, crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies in humans show increased concentrations of copeptin, a surrogate marker of arginine vasopressin (AVP), to be associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the acute and independent effect of osmotically stimulated AVP, measured via the surrogate marker copeptin, on glucose regulation in healthy adults.

METHODS

Sixty subjects (30 females) participated in this crossover design study. On 2 trial days, separated by ≥7 d (males) or 1 menstrual cycle (females), subjects were infused for 120 min with either 0.9% NaCl [isotonic (ISO)] or 3.0% NaCl [hypertonic (HYPER)]. Postinfusion, a 240-min oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT; 75 g) was administered.

RESULTS

During HYPER, plasma osmolality and copeptin increased (P < 0.05) and remained elevated during the entire 6-h protocol, whereas renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system hormones were within the lower normal physiological range at the beginning of the protocol and declined following infusion. Fasting plasma glucose did not differ between trials (P > 0.05) at baseline and during the 120 min of infusion. During the OGTT the incremental AUC for glucose from postinfusion baseline (positive integer) was greater during HYPER (401.5 ± 190.5 mmol/L·min) compared with the ISO trial (354.0 ± 205.8 mmol/L·min; P < 0.05). The positive integer of the AUC for insulin during OGTT did not differ between trials (HYPER 55,850 ± 36,488 pmol/L·min compared with ISO 57,205 ± 31,119 pmol/L·min). Baseline values of serum glucagon were not different between the 2 trials; however, the AUC of glucagon during the OGTT was also significantly greater in HYPER (19,303 ± 3939 ng/L·min) compared with the ISO trial (18,600 ± 3755 ng/L·min; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present data indicate that acute osmotic stimulation of copeptin induced greater hyperglycemic responses during the oral glucose challenge, possibly due to greater glucagon concentrations.This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02761434.

Association of pulse pressure with all-cause mortality in young adults

Background

Pulse blood pressure was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly populations, but less evidence was known in young adults.

Objective

To assess the association of pulse pressure (PP) with all-cause mortality in young adults.

Methods

This cohort from the 1999–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey included adults aged 18–40 years. All included participants were followed up until the date of death or 31 December 2015. PP was categorised into three groups: <50, 50~60, ≥60 mm Hg. Cox proportional hazards models and subgroup analysis were performed to estimate the adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for all-cause mortality.

Results

After applying the exclusion criteria, 8356 participants (median age 26.63±7.01 years, 4598 women (55.03%)) were included, of which 265 (3.17%) have died during a median follow-up duration of 152.96±30.45 months. When treating PP as a continuous variable, multivariate Cox analysis showed that PP was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.69; p=0.0422). When using PP<50 mm Hg as referent, from the 50~60 mm Hg to the ≥60 mm Hg group, the risks of all-cause mortality for participants with PP ranging 50–60 mm Hg or ≥60 mm Hg were 0.93 (95% CI 0.42 to 2.04) and 1.15 (95% CI 0.32 to 4.07) (P for tend was 0.959). Subgroup analysis showed that PP (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.82; p=0.0360) was associated with all-cause mortality among non-hypertensive participants.

Conclusion

Among young adults, higher PP was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, particularly among those without hypertension.

Prevalence and Sex-Specific Distribution of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in University Students in an Urban-Rural Environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

A recent qualitative study on health promotion in non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan University students suggested sex differences in knowledge and beliefs concerning a healthy lifestyle. However, the extent to which this is reflected in sex-specific distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among Sub-Saharan African students have not been fully evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and the sex-specific distribution of some modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among students at University of Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 780 students (62.2% men) at the University of Kikwit between January and March of 2016. Data on physical measurements, lifestyle factors, and medical history were collected. The median age (interquartile range) of the students was 23 years (21-25 years). The modifiable cardiovascular risk factors identified were: alcohol consumption (53.1%), overweight (16.4%), general obesity (1.9%), abdominal obesity (10.4%), tobacco consumption (8.1%), hypertension (7.6%) and high pulse pressure (6.4%). Compared to women, men had a higher prevalence of hypertension (9.9 vs. 3.7%; p = 0.002), tobacco consumption (10.7 vs. 3.7%; p = 0.001), and alcohol consumption (58.4 vs. 44.4%; p < 0.001). In contrast, abdominal obesity was more predominant in women than in men (23.1 vs. 2.7%; p < 0.001). This study suggests a sex-specific distribution of several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in students at the University of Kikwit. Design of sex-specific, student-targeted health promotion programs may be warranted to reduce the prevalence of risk factors and the subsequent burden of cardiovascular diseases.

A comparative study of the radial pulse between primary dysmenorrhea patients and healthy subjects during the menstrual phase

The aim of this study was to compare radial pulse characteristics between primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients and healthy subjects throughout the menstrual cycle. A total of 48 females aged 20 to 29 years participated, and all subjects were assigned to two groups according to their visual analogue scale scores. The radial pulse of each subject was obtained using a pulse tonometric device during menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases. In addition, various pulse analysis indices were used to estimate the pulse characteristics. The pulse tension index (PTI) and pulse depth index (PDI) in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the healthy group during the menstrual phase (P < 0.01 and <0.001, respectively). According to univariate logistic regression results, the PTI, PDI and optimal applied pressure (OAP) were significantly correlated with PD, and the model based on the PTI and OAP performed best (AUC = 0.828). This study is the first to analyze pulse tension inferred from the PTI and to apply this parameter to clinical practice. The results of this study confirmed the possibility of quantitatively measuring pulse tension and suggest that the PTI and OAP can serve as potential clinical indicators for pain disorders.

Associations of long-term exposure to ambient PM1 with hypertension and blood pressure in rural Chinese population: The Henan rural cohort study

BACKGROUND

The epidemiological evidence on relationships between long-term exposure to particulate matter and hypertension and blood pressure has been inconclusive. Limited evidence was available for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1 μm (PM1) in rural areas of developing countries.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the associations between long-term exposure to PM1 and hypertension and blood pressure among rural Chinese population.

METHODS

This study included 39,259 participants who had completed the baseline survey from Henan Rural Cohort. Participants' exposure to PM1 was assessed by a satellite-based spatiotemporal model. The binary logistic regression model was used to examine the association between long-term PM1 exposure and hypertension, and multivariable linear regression model was used to investigate the associations between long-term PM1 exposure and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP). Moreover, we examined potential effect modifications by demographic, lifestyle and diet factors.

RESULTS

The mean concentration of PM1 for all participants during the 3-year before baseline survey was 59.98 μg/m3. Each 1 μg/m3 increase in PM1 concentration was significantly associated with an increase of 4.3% [Odds ratio(OR) = 1.043, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.033, 1.053] in odds for hypertension, an increase of 0.401 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.335, 0.467), 0.328 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.288, 0.369), 0.353 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.307, 0.399) and 0.073 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.030, 0.116) in SBP, DBP, MAP and PP, respectively. Further stratified analyses showed that the effect of PM1 on hypertension and blood pressure could be modified by sex, lifestyle and diet.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that long-term exposure to ambient PM1 increases the risk of hypertension and is associated with elevations in blood pressure in rural Chinese adults, especially in male and those with unhealthy habits.

J-shaped curve for cardiovascular mortality: systolic or diastolic blood pressure?

Aggressive reduction of blood pressure (BP) may increase cardiovascular events (the J-curve phenomenon) in certain populations. There is a high number of available studies of antihypertensive treatment that provide strong evidence for J-shaped relationships between both diastolic and systolic BP and main cardiovascular outcomes. Nonetheless, most available studies were observational, and randomized trials might not have or lost their statistical power in post-hoc analysis. Contrariwise, most of prospective trial to demonstrate the benefits of intensive blood pressure control were inconclusive. Therefore, further studies are still necessary in order to clarify this issue.

Association of High Levels of Spot Urine Protein with High Blood Pressure, Mean Arterial Pressure and Pulse Pressure with the Development of Diabetic Chronic Kidney Dysfunction or Failure among Diabetic Patients. Statistical Regression Modeling to Predict Diabetic Proteinuria

INTRODUCTION

In research elevated Blood Pressure (BP) has been demonstrated to be a risk for the development of nephropathy and chronic renal disease (CKD) Or Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) among diabetics. However, no study has find correlation for the spot urine protein (UPr) excretion with elevated BP, Pulse Pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure MAP). This technique was invented in the current study.

METHODS

10,270 were recruited for more than 12 years. Demographically, 43%, 38%, and 16% showed hypertension, nephropathy and chronic renal disease, respectively. UPr demonstrated significant correlations with systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DPB), MAP and PP (p < 0.0001 for all). SBP, DBP, PP and MAP, UPr were observed to be higher among the groups with nephroaphty and CKD/DKD with highly significant p-values (all p < 0.05). With logistic regression, odds ratio of hypertension (HTN) with nephropathy was observed to be 2.99 (95% CI 2.44 to 3.7; p < 0.0001); and odds ratio of HTN with CKD/DK was 7.1 (95% CI 4.3 to 11.84; p<0.0001), indicating that HTN significantly contributes to the development of nephropathy and CKD/DKD in diabetics.

RESULTS

Invented regression models for the excretion of UPr from the kidney with elevated SBP, DBP, MAP and PP were highly significant (p < 0.0001 for all); UPr = -138.6 + [1.347 × SBP] ; UPr = -93.4 + [1.62 × DBP] ; UPr = -149.5 + [1.922 × MAP] ; UPr = -41.23 +[1.541 × PP].

CONCLUSION

Current study is the first one to introduce this technique. These invented new equations can be used by physicians to estimate protein excretion in urine at bedside and outpatients departments for monitoring proteinuria and CKD/DKD.

Pulse pressure for selecting the optimal cardiac strategy in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Pulse pressure may be potentially useful for selecting effective cardiac treatment strategies. This study aimed to assess the association between the cardiac treatment strategies and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD), based on low or high levels of pulse pressure.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes trial and calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for MACE with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) using the Cox proportional hazard model. The risk of MACE in patients with type 2 diabetes and CAD was compared between the early revascularization and medical therapy groups separately in patients with pulse pressures < 60 mmHg (n = 1378) and ≥ 60 mmHg (n = 916).

RESULTS

During a maximal follow-up of 6 years, 389 patients experienced MACE. In patients with pulse pressure < 60 mmHg, the risk of MACE was significantly higher in the early revascularization group (HR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.04-1.81, P = 0.02) and was specifically and significantly higher in the percutaneous coronary intervention group (HR: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.17-2.34, P = 0.004) than in the medical therapy group. In contrast, the risk of MACE in patients with pulse pressure ≥ 60 mmHg was significantly lower in the early revascularization group (HR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.53-0.96, P = 0.02) and was specifically lower in the coronary artery bypass graft surgery group (HR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.30-0.82, P = 0.006) than in the medical therapy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulse pressure may be used to determine optimal cardiac treatment strategies in patients with type 2 diabetes and CAD.

Lowering systolic blood pressure does not increase stroke risk: an analysis of the SPRINT and ACCORD trial data

Objective

Traditional neurology teaching states that when mean arterial pressure dips below a 60 mm Hg threshold, there is an increase in stroke risk due to cerebral hypoperfusion. The aim of this study was to determine whether intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure increases adverse cardiovascular outcomes by examining the association between achieved blood pressure values, specifically mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure, and risk of stroke.

Methods

Data from participants in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) and the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Blood Pressure (BP) trial were examined, using survival analysis to model minimal arterial pressure and average pulse pressure during the study period against risk of stroke, hypotension, and syncope, with death as a competing risk.

Results

In both SPRINT and ACCORD participants, there was no increase in stroke risk with achieved mean arterial pressure values below 60 mm Hg. In SPRINT participants, achieved mean arterial pressure values greater than 90 mm Hg were associated with a 247% (HR: 3.47, 95% CI: 2.06–5.85) higher risk of stroke compared with participants in the 80–89 mmHg reference group. No association was found between low achieved pulse pressure values and greater stroke risk in either the SPRINT or ACCORD participants, as well as no association between mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure values and risk of syncope.

Interpretation

Intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure does not increase risk of stroke in hypertensive patients, despite extremely low mean arterial pressure or pulse pressure values.

Associations of long-term fine particulate matter exposure with prevalent hypertension and increased blood pressure in older Americans

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factor. It is possible that air pollution, also an established cardiovascular risk factor, may contribute to cardiovascular disease through increasing blood pressure. Previous studies evaluating associations between air pollution and blood pressure have had mixed results.

METHODS

We examined the association between long-term (one-year moving average) air pollutant exposures, prevalent hypertension and blood pressure in 4121 older Americans (57+ years) enrolled in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. We estimated exposures to PM_2.5 using spatio-temporal models and used logistic regression accounting for repeated measures to evaluate the association between long-term average PM_2.5 and prevalence odds of hypertension. We additionally used linear regression to evaluate the associations between air pollutants and systolic, diastolic, mean arterial, and pulse pressures. Health effect models were adjusted for a number of demographic, health and socioeconomic covariates.

RESULTS

An inter-quartile range (3.91 μg/m³) increase in the one-year moving average of PM_2.5 was associated with increased: Odds of prevalent hypertension (POR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.38), systolic blood pressure (0.93 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.80) and pulse pressure (0.89 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.21, 1.58). Dose-response relationships were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

PM_2.5 was associated with increased odds of prevalent hypertension, and increased systolic pressure and pulse pressure in a cohort of older Americans. These findings add to the growing evidence that air pollution may be an important risk factor for hypertension and perturbations in blood pressure.

The association between different features of sleep-disordered breathing and blood pressure: A cross-sectional study

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent in patients with high blood pressure (BP). Severity of SDB can be evaluated by the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour (AHI) or by measures of hypoxia. The objective of this study was to assess the association between different measures of SDB and BP. In 134 consecutive patients, polygraphy was performed to determine the AHI. Pulse oximetry was used to determine hypoxemic burden (time below 90% oxygen saturation [T90] and hypoxia load [HL], representing the integrated area above the curve of desaturation). AHI did not correlate with systolic and diastolic BP or pulse pressure. In contrast, HL correlated with pulse pressure during the day (P = .01) and night (P = .0034) before and after adjustment for body mass index. The correlation between systolic BP and HL at night disappeared following adjustment for body mass index. This study generates the hypothesis that nocturnal hypoxemic burden may represent a suitable marker of BP pattern and a potential treatment target in hypertensive patients.

Relationship of Arterial Stiffness Index and Pulse Pressure With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality

BACKGROUND

Vascular aging results in stiffer arteries and may have a role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Arterial stiffness index (ASI), measured by finger photoplethysmography, and pulse pressure (PP) are 2 independent vascular aging indices. We investigated whether ASI or PP predict new-onset CVD and mortality in a large community-based population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 169 613 UK Biobank participants (mean age 56.8 years; 45.8% males) who underwent ASI measurement and blood pressure measurement for PP calculation. Mean±SD ASI was 9.30±3.1 m/s and mean±SD PP was 50.98±13.2 mm Hg. During a median disease follow-up of 2.8 years (interquartile range 1.4-4.0), 18 190 participants developed CVD, of which 1587 myocardial infarction (MI), 4326 coronary heart disease, 1192 heart failure, and 1319 stroke. During a median mortality follow-up of 6.1 years (interquartile range 5.8-6.3), 3678 participants died, of which 1180 of CVD. Higher ASI was associated with increased risk of overall CVD (unadjusted hazard ratio 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-1.28), myocardial infarction (1.38; 95% CI, 1.32-1.44), coronary heart disease (1.31; 95% CI, 1.27-1.34), and heart failure (1.31; 95% CI 1.24-1.37). ASI also predicted mortality (all-cause, CVD, other). Higher PP was associated with overall CVD (1.57; 95% CI, 1.55-1.59), myocardial infarction (1.48; 95% CI, 1.42-1.54), coronary heart disease (1.47; 95% CI, 1.43-1.50), heart failure (1.47; 95% CI, 1.40-1.55), and CVD mortality (1.47; 95% CI, 1.40-1.55). PP improved risk reclassification of CVD in a non-laboratory-based Framingham Risk Score by 5.4%, ASI by 2.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

ASI and PP are independent predictors of CVD and mortality outcomes. Although both improved risk prediction for new-onset disease, PP appears to have a larger clinical value than ASI.

Association of diastolic blood pressure with cardiovascular events in older people varies upon cardiovascular history

BACKGROUND

In older age, a low DBP has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially in frail older people. We tested the hypothesis that low DBP is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events in people with a previous history of cardiovascular disease, as a proxy of vascular impairment.

METHODS

We included 5804 participants (mean age 75 years) from the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) who as part of the trial were intensively monitored for an average period of 3.2 years. DBP was categorized in low (<70 mmHg), normal (70-90 mmHg) or high (>90 mmHg). Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to estimate hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI); analyses were stratified for cardiovascular history.

RESULTS

Participants with low DBP had a 1.24-fold (1.04; 1.49) increased risk of cardiovascular events compared with those with normal DBP. After further adjusting for cardiovascular factors, this association attenuated to 1.05 (0.86; 1.28). A previous history of cardiovascular disease significantly modified the relation between DBP and risk of cardiovascular events (P-interaction 0.042). In participants without a history of cardiovascular disease, DBP was marginally significantly associated with an increased event risk (hazard ratio (95% CI) per 10 mmHg increase in DBP 1.08 (0.99; 1.18), P value = 0.07), whereas in participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, higher DBP was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio (95% CI) per 10 mmHg increase in DBP 0.92 (0.85; 0.99, P value = 0.018). These risk estimates were independent of potential confounders, including classical cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The association of DBP with cardiovascular events in older people varies upon their previous history, showing that in participants with preexisting cardiovascular diseases, a higher DBP associates with a decreased risk of future cardiovascular events.

Prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and factors associated: An epidemiological analysis from the population-based Screening PRE-diabetes and type 2 DIAbetes (SPREDIA-2) study

AIM

To describe the prevalence of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in a random population sample and to evaluate its relationship with Mediterranean diet and with other potential cardiovascular risk factors such as serum uric acid and pulse pressure in individuals ranged 45 to 74 years.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of 1568 subjects (mean age 6.5 years, 43% males), randomly selected from the population. A fasting blood sample was obtained to determine glucose, lipids, and HbA1C levels. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in non-diabetic subjects. PAD was evaluated by ankle-brachial index and/or having a prior diagnosis.

RESULTS

PAD prevalence was 3.81% (95% CI, 2.97-4.87) for all participants. In men, PAD prevalence was significantly higher than in women [5.17% (95% CI, 3.74-7.11) vs. 2.78% (95% CI, 1.89-4.07); p = 0.014]. Serum uric acid in the upper quartile was associated with the highest odds ratio (OR) of PAD (for uric acid > 6.1 mg/dl, OR = 4.31; 95% CI, 1.49-12.44). The remaining variables more strongly associated with PAD were: Heart rate >90 bpm (OR = 4.16; 95%CI, 1.62-10.65), pulse pressure in the upper quartile (≥ 54 mmHg) (OR = 3.82; 95%CI, 1.50-9.71), adherence to Mediterranean diet (OR = 2.73; 95% CI, 1.48-5.04), and former smoker status (OR = 2.04; 95%CI, 1.00-4.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show the existence of a low prevalence of peripheral artery disease in a population aged 45-74 years. Serum uric acid, pulse pressure and heart rate >90 bpm were strongly associated with peripheral artery disease. The direct association between Mediterranean diet and peripheral artery disease that we have found should be evaluated through a follow-up study under clinical practice conditions.

Arterial stiffness as a risk factor for clinical hypertension

In patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension, cardiac output remains within normal ranges and intravascular volume is normal or low, assuming the presence of a sufficient Windkessel effect and usual resistance and compliance calculations. However, mean circulatory pressure is elevated in these patients. In addition, vascular resistance is augmented, and most importantly, the viscoelasticity of the cardiovascular system is substantially impaired. Such considerations are essential to understanding the mechanisms behind carotid-femoral arterial stiffness, a major risk factor in individuals with hypertension. Arterial stiffness, measured from pulse wave velocity, is substantially increased in hypertension even independently of blood pressure levels. Structural vascular changes and endothelial dysfunction are consistently associated with vessel impairments in animal models of hypertension. Increased arterial stiffness has a major effect on pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure), wave reflections, kidney function, and above all, cardiovascular risk. This increased cardiovascular risk is particularly deleterious in patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus, who are at risk of both renal and cardiovascular events. In this Review, we discuss the importance of arterial stiffness in the diagnosis and management of hypertension and the need for new approaches for the treatment of hypertension in patients with or without diabetes and/or renal impairment.

Contribution of backward and forward wave pressures to age-related increases in aortic pressure in a community sample not receiving antihypertensive therapy

Reports on the contribution of aortic forward (Pf) and backward (Pb) wave pressures to age-related increases in central aortic pulse pressure (PPc) have been confounded by the use of participants receiving antihypertensive therapy. We assessed the relative contribution of Pf and Pb to age-related increases in PPc (radial applanation tonometry and SphygmoCor software using an assumed triangular wave for wave separation analysis) in 892 community participants not receiving antihypertensive therapy. We validated our results using aortic flow waves (echocardiography) for wave separation analysis in 254 of these participants. In multivariate regression models in those aged <50 years, adjustments for both Pb and a Pf-independent measure of reflected wave function (RM = Pb/Pf), but not Pf abolished the impact of age on PPc. However, in those aged >50 years, adjustments for Pf (β-coefficient: 0.25 ± 0.06 vs. 0.74 ± 0.08; P < .0001) and Pb (0.04 ± 0.04 vs. 0.74 ± 0.08; P < .0001), but not RM markedly decreased the relationship between age and PPc. On product of coefficient mediation analysis, whether assessed in men or in women, in those participants aged <50 years, independent of several confounders and mean arterial pressure, Pb (P < .005), but not Pf contributed to age-related increases in PPc. In contrast, in those participants aged ≥50 years, independent of several confounders and mean arterial pressure, Pb (P < .005) and Pf (P < .01) contributed to age-related increases in PPc, and Pb effects were markedly diminished by adjustments for Pf (0.26 ± 0.002 vs. 0.52 ± 0.003 mm Hg per year, P < .0001 for comparison). In conclusion, independent of the effects of antihypertensive therapy, aortic backward waves contribute to age-related increases in aortic PPc across the adult lifespan, but at an older age, this effect may be attributed in part to the impact of forward on backward wave pressures.

Relationship of Hypertension to Coronary Atherosclerosis and Cardiac Events in Patients With Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography

Hypertension is an atherosclerosis factor and is associated with cardiovascular risk. We investigated the relationship between hypertension and the presence, extent, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in coronary computed tomographic angiography and cardiac events risk. Of 17 181 patients enrolled in the CONFIRM registry (Coronary CT Angiography Evaluation for Clinical Outcomes: An International Multicenter Registry) who underwent ≥64-detector row coronary computed tomographic angiography, we identified 14 803 patients without known coronary artery disease. Of these, 1434 hypertensive patients were matched to 1434 patients without hypertension. Major adverse cardiac events risk of hypertension and non-hypertensive patients was evaluated with Cox proportional hazards models. The prognostic associations between hypertension and no-hypertension with increasing degree of coronary stenosis severity (nonobstructive or obstructive ≥50%) and extent of coronary artery disease (segment involvement score of 1-5, >5) was also assessed. Hypertension patients less commonly had no coronary atherosclerosis and more commonly had nonobstructive and 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel disease than the no-hypertension group. During a mean follow-up of 5.2±1.2 years, 180 patients experienced cardiac events, with 104 (2.0%) occurring in the hypertension group and 76 (1.5%) occurring in the no-hypertension group (hazard ratios, 1.4; 95% confidence intervals, 1.0-1.9). Compared with no-hypertension patients without coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension patients with no coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive coronary disease tended to have higher risk of cardiac events. Similar trends were observed with respect to extent of coronary artery disease. Compared with no-hypertension patients, hypertensive patients have increased presence, extent, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis and tend to have an increase in major adverse cardiac events.

Development of an In Vitro PIV Setup for Preliminary Investigation of the Effects of Aortic Compliance on Flow Patterns and Hemodynamics

The aorta with its compliance plays a major role in hemodynamics as it saves a portion of ejected blood during systole which is then released in diastole. The aortic compliance decreases with increasing age, which is related to several cardiovascular imparities and diseases. Changes in flow patterns and pressure curves, due to varying aortic compliance, are difficult to investigate in vivo. As a result, the aim of the present work was to develop an in vitro setup enabling standardized investigations on the effect of compliance changes on flow patterns and pressure curves. Therefore an experimental setup with an anatomically correct silicone phantom of the aortic arch was developed, suitable for optical flow measurements under pulsatile inflow conditions. The setup was developed for precise adjustments of different compliances and optical flow measurements. Particle image velocimetry measurements were carried out downstream of the aortic valve in the center plane perpendicular to the valve with compliance adjusted between 0.62 × 10^-3 to 1.82 × 10^-3 mmHg^-1. Preliminary results of the in vitro investigations showed that decreases in compliance results in significant increases in pressure changes with respect to time (dp/dt) and altered pressure curves in the aortic arch. In terms of flow, an increased aortic stiffness lead to higher mean velocities and decreased vortex development in the aortic sinuses. As in vivo validation and translation remains difficult, the results have to be considered as preliminary in vitro insights into the mechanisms of (age-related) compliance changes.

Arterial stiffness in young adult swimmers

PURPOSE

Habitual Aerobic exercise reduces arterial stiffness, but effects of habitual swimming on arterial stiffness are not yet fully understood. Swimming can also increase systolic blood pressure (BP) in normotensive individuals. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate arterial stiffness in young adult swimmers after considering the influence of BP.

METHODS

Participants comprised 41 men (18-21 years), including 15 untrained controls (C), 11 competitive cyclists (aerobic-trained athletes; A), and 15 competitive swimmers (S). Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV), heart-ankle pulse-wave velocity (haPWV), and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). CAVI is the measurement of arterial stiffness that is theoretically adjusted by BP.

RESULTS

Although physical characteristics and handgrip strength did not differ between groups, peak oxygen uptake was significantly greater in A and S than in C. A tendency towards higher systolic BP and a significantly higher pulse pressure were found in S as compared to C and A. Most importantly, baPWV was significantly lower in A than in C or S, and no significant difference in baPWV was observed between C and S (C, 1027 ± 25; A, 852 ± 23; S, 1032 ± 24 cm/s). No significant difference in haPWV was observed. However, CAVI was significantly lower in A and S than in C, and did not differ significantly between A and S (C, 5.8 ± 0.2; A, 5.1 ± 0.2; S, 5.3 ± 0.2 unit).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that arterial stiffness in young adult swimmers is lower than in age-matched sedentary controls and similar to land-based aerobic-exercise individuals, after considering the influences of BP.

Clinical outcomes with a systolic blood pressure lower than 120 mmHg in older patients with high disease burden

BACKGROUND

The target blood pressure in older patients is controversial. Recent studies provided clinical evidence supporting a target systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg in patients >50 years at high risk of cardiovascular events.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 380 consecutive patients ≥60 years with stages 1-5 pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease seen between January 2013 and November 2015. The outcomes of a systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg in older patients with chronic kidney disease and multiple comorbidities were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients had a systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg, 312 patients had a systolic blood pressure ≥120 mmHg. Forty-three patients died during the follow up (11.3%). Patients with a systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg had a higher risk of death: 21 (30.9%) vs 22 (7%). Primary cause of death: Cardiovascular: 11 (25.6%), infectious 9 (20.9%), cancer 5 (11.6%), renal failure 6 (13.9%), COPD/pulmonary fibrosis 2 (4.6%), end stage liver disease 3 (6.9%), traumatic brain injury 1 (2.3%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage 4 (9.3%), complications of diabetes 1 (2.3%), unknown 1 (2.3%). After adjusting for confounding factors, a systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg remained associated with increased mortality. There was a trend to more cardiovascular outcomes in those with a lower blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

A systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg in older patients with high disease burden was associated with adverse outcomes. Individualization of blood pressure therapy to each specific patient is warranted.