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06:08

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[Pulse pressure as a marker of cardiovascular risk among the elderly]

R Villa Estébanez1, S Tranche Iparraguirre, R Marín Iranzo

  • 1Centro de Salud de El Cristo. Oviedo. Spain.

Atencion Primaria
|October 25, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Pulse pressure in the elderly is a significant independent marker of cardiovascular risk. Higher pulse pressure is associated with increased prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health

Context:

  • The study investigates the clinical significance and prognostic value of pulse pressure in the general elderly population.
  • A transversal descriptive study was conducted in primary care settings between June and October 2000.

Purpose:

  • To determine if pulse pressure is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk in the elderly.
  • To analyze the association between pulse pressure, demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and existing cardiovascular pathology.

Summary:

  • A sample of 415 elderly individuals (aged 60+) was analyzed, with 338 included in the final results.
  • Higher pulse pressure (tercile 3: >=66 mm Hg) was linked to older age, higher systolic blood pressure, and increased prevalence of hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, and ischemic and overall cardiovascular pathology.
  • Pulse pressure was identified as an independent variable associated with cardiovascular risk after logistic regression analysis.

Impact:

  • This research highlights pulse pressure as a valuable, independent predictor of cardiovascular risk in the elderly population.
  • Findings can inform clinical practice and public health strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention in older adults.
Abstract

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