Differing pattern of ambulatory blood pressure in very elderly men expresses dynamics in atherosclerotic load in the...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Vascular risk factors significantly influence cardiovascular health in aging populations.
• Understanding long-term impacts on blood pressure is crucial for geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the influence of vascular risk factors on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) in elderly men.
• To determine predictors of ABPM at age 82 based on earlier risk factor status.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort of men was followed from age 68 to 82.
• Ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) was performed on 104 survivors at age 82.
• Vascular risk factors including hypertension, clinic blood pressure (CBP), smoking, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were assessed.

Main Results:

• At age 68, hypertension and high CBP did not predict ABPM. Smoking and low ABI predicted higher ABPM variability and pulse pressure (PP).
• At age 82, hypertension, high or increasing CBP, strongly correlated with all ABPM variables.
• Carotid stenosis and declining ABI correlated with higher nocturnal ABPM and PP.

Conclusions:

• Early vascular risk factors in men do not necessarily lead to elevated ABPM at age 82.
• Higher ABPM in older age is associated with increasing clinic blood pressure and atherosclerosis progression over the preceding decade.