Influence of basic demographic and anthropometric characteristics on peripheral and central blood pressure parameters

Background Central blood pressure parameters and corresponding peripheral blood pressure parameters are not equal and their relationship changes with aging. This explain why there is a gradual shift from diastolic blood pressure in young subjects to systolic blood pressure and then to pulse pressure in elderly, as strongest predictor of CHD risk. Aim of this study was to observe how components of peripheral and central blood pressure depends on age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Material and methods We examined 319 patients between 19-80 years of age who attended family medicine office. Peripheral blood pressure was taken with OMRON M6 and central blood pressure was determined noninvasively with SphygmoCor device. Results Pulse pressure amplification (PPA) calculated as a ratio peripheral pulse pressure/central pulse pressure was 2.0 in young subjects to 1.09 in elderly. Differences in pulse pressure amplification between women and men are consequences of differences in height. There is no relation between PPA and BMI. Conclusions Higher gradient of central to peripheral pulse pressure found in young subjects gradually decreases with aging. Therefore, brachial artery cuff measurements in the elderly more accurate reflect central systolic pressure and central pulse pressure which stronger than corresponding peripheral blood pressure parameters correlate with cardiovascular events.