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Functional limitation and intermittent claudication: impact of blood pressure measurements

Rita de Cássia Gengo e Silva1, Cassiana Rosa Galvão Giribela, Nelson Wolosker

  • 1Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. rcgsilva@ig.com.br

Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|January 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure and pulse pressure correlate with reduced walking ability in patients with lower-limb occlusive arterial disease (LLOAD). These findings highlight blood pressure as a key indicator of functional impairment in LLOAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor for Lower-Limb Occlusive Arterial Disease (LLOAD).
  • The relationship between blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), and LLOAD severity/functional impairment is not well-defined in the Brazilian population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between BP, PP, LLOAD severity, and functional capacity in symptomatic LLOAD patients.
  • To determine if BP and PP are indicators of functional limitations in LLOAD.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-five symptomatic LLOAD patients were categorized into normal (A) and high (B) BP groups.
  • LLOAD severity was assessed using the ankle-brachial index (ABI).
  • Functional capacity was measured by total and pain-free walking distances during the 6-minute walking test (6MWT).

Main Results:

  • Group B (high BP) exhibited significantly lower ABI values compared to Group A (normal BP).
  • Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and PP showed significant correlations with LLOAD severity and 6MWT distances.
  • Patients with PP exceeding 40 mmHg demonstrated shorter walking distances.

Conclusions:

  • SBP and PP are significantly correlated with reduced walking distances in the 6MWT.
  • These findings suggest SBP and PP can serve as clinical markers for functional capacity impairment in symptomatic LLOAD patients.
Abstract

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