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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 and pulse wave velocity values in the institutionalized elderly aged 80 and over: baseline of the

Athanase Benetos1, Severine Buatois, Paolo Salvi

  • 1Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France. a.benetos@chu-nancy.fr

Journal of Hypertension
|October 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study found that elderly nursing home residents have distinct hemodynamic profiles, with increased pulse pressure and aortic stiffness correlating with age. These findings highlight the need for further research into blood pressure and arterial stiffness in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The PARTAGE study investigates hemodynamic characteristics in very elderly institutionalized individuals.
  • Understanding blood pressure and arterial stiffness is crucial for predicting health outcomes in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the predictive value of blood pressure and arterial stiffness for mortality, cardiovascular events, and cognitive decline.
  • To present baseline data from a large population of institutionalized patients aged 80 and over.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 1130 nursing home residents (878 women) from French and Italian facilities.
  • Collected clinical and 3-day self-measured blood pressure data.
  • Measured aortic and upper limb pulse wave velocity using a PulsePen tonometer.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of hypertension (76% women, 60% men), with over 91% on antihypertensive treatment.
  • 51% of treated hypertensive patients achieved well-controlled systolic blood pressure (<140 mmHg).
  • Age-related increases in pulse pressure due to decreased diastolic BP; aortic pulse wave velocity increased significantly with age.

Conclusions:

  • Institutionalized elderly exhibit different hemodynamic profiles compared to community-dwelling elders.
  • Arterial stiffness, particularly aortic, shows age-related changes in this population.
  • Longitudinal assessment of blood pressure and arterial stiffness is warranted to understand morbidity and mortality risks.
Abstract

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