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Published on: May 3, 2018

[Pulse pressure and prevalence of stroke and myocardial infarction in Chinese population]

Xiu-Fang Duan1, Xi-Gui Wu, Dong-Feng Gu

  • 1Department of Population Genetics and Prevention, Fuwai Hospital and Cardiovascular Disease Institute of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China.

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine]
|August 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Pulse pressure (PP) increases with age and is linked to higher risks of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Wider PP is an independent predictor of these cardiovascular diseases, particularly in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Public Health
  • Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases

Context:

  • The Third National Blood Pressure Survey analyzed data from 882,681 Chinese adults over 18 in 1991.
  • Pulse pressure (PP), the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, was examined.
  • Previous research has indicated varying PP characteristics across different populations.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the distribution of pulse pressure (PP) in the Chinese population.
  • To determine the relationship between PP and the risk of major cardiovascular diseases (stroke and myocardial infarction) in this demographic.

Summary:

  • Mean PP was 44.61 mmHg, higher in men than women, and increased with age, accelerating after 50.
  • Prevalence of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) rose with increasing PP and age across normotensive, hypertensive, and isolated systolic hypertensive groups.
  • Multivariate analysis showed PP independently predicted stroke and MI risk, even after adjusting for systolic and diastolic pressures.

Impact:

  • Findings highlight that increased pulse pressure is associated with elevated risks of stroke and myocardial infarction.
  • Broader pulse pressure emerges as a significant, independent predictor for these cardiovascular events, especially in the elderly Chinese population.
  • This research contributes to understanding cardiovascular risk factors in a large Asian cohort.
Abstract

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