Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
06:08

Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Published on: February 7, 2014

Blood pressure as a predictor of cardiovascular events in the elderly: the William Hale Research Program

S C Masley1, S E Phillips, D D Schocken

  • 1Carillon Executive Health, St Anthony's Health Care, St Petersburg, FL, USA. steven.masley@baycare.org

Journal of Human Hypertension
|March 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in older adults. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) risk varies by age, with 80-90 mm Hg optimal for those 75 and older.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly.
  • Understanding the precise role of blood pressure (BP) in CVD risk stratification in this demographic is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the risk of future cardiovascular events in individuals over 64 years of age.
  • To determine if age modifies the relationship between BP categories and CVD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 4,008 elderly patients (>64 years) followed for a median of 11.1 years.
  • Blood pressure categorized, and cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, CVD death) ascertained.
  • Cox proportional hazard ratios adjusted for weight, gender, smoking, and alcohol use, with separate analyses for age groups (<75 and >=75 years).

Main Results:

  • Elevated SBP is a strong, linear, and graded predictor of future CVD events across all ages studied (P<0.0001).
  • The lowest CVD event frequency occurred with SBP <120 mm Hg.
  • In individuals <75 years, DBP elevation was not a significant CVD risk factor. In those >=75 years, a DBP of 80 to <90 mm Hg showed the lowest significant risk (RR=0.59).

Conclusions:

  • Findings support current guidelines for managing SBP in the elderly.
  • Optimal DBP thresholds for CVD risk reduction may differ based on age, particularly for those >=75 years.
  • Further research is needed to define precise DBP targets for different elderly age strata.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring01:25

Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring is a crucial clinical procedure in diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions. Despite its significance, the accuracy of blood pressure measurements can be compromised by multiple factors, potentially leading to either falsely high or low readings. These inaccuracies are critical as they can significantly impact patient care. So, it is vital to understand these challenges deeply and adopt strategic approaches to minimize errors.
Several factors...
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure01:10

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the patient.
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Measurement of Blood Pressure01:17

Measurement of Blood Pressure

Assessing blood pressure is a standard procedure executed in virtually all medical environments. The method utilized today was established over a hundred years ago by an innovative Russian doctor, Dr. Nikolai Korotkoff. The soft ticking noise, known as Korotkoff sounds, heard while taking blood pressure readings results from turbulent blood flow within the vessels. The apparatus required for this procedure includes a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure cuff attached to a gauge, and a stethoscope.
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...