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Arterial stiffness in prehypertension: a possible vicious cycle

Hirofumi Tomiyama1, Akira Yamashina

  • 1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. tomiyama@tokyo-med.ac.jp

Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research
|January 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Increased arterial stiffness and prehypertension form a dangerous cycle, raising cardiovascular event risk. Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing this "danger zone" and preventing hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hypertension Research
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Increased arterial stiffness and abnormal pressure wave reflection are linked to cardiovascular events.
  • Prehypertension (systolic 120-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg) signifies a heightened risk for future hypertension and cardiovascular mortality.
  • Arterial stiffness and prehypertension are recognized as significant cardiovascular risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the association between arterial stiffness/pressure wave reflection and prehypertension.
  • To explore the role of these factors in the development of hypertension.
  • To highlight the cyclical relationship between arterial stiffness and prehypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Review of prospective studies examining arterial stiffness, prehypertension, and hypertension development.
  • Analysis of the interplay between arterial stiffness and the persistence of prehypertension.
  • Consideration of confounding cardiovascular risk factors like aging and glucose metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Prospective studies indicate that increased arterial stiffness is a risk factor for developing hypertension in individuals with prehypertension.
  • Persistent prehypertension accelerates age-related increases in arterial stiffness.
  • Arterial stiffness and prehypertension appear to form a detrimental cycle, potentially worsened by other risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial stiffness and prehypertension are interconnected, creating a vicious cycle that elevates cardiovascular risk.
  • Effective strategies to reduce arterial stiffness in prehypertensive individuals are needed.
  • Development of simple techniques to assess arterial stiffness is warranted for clinical application.

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