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Treating blood pressure to prevent strokes: The age factor
1Steven G Chrysant, Department of Cardiology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, United States.
World Journal of Cardiology
|March 30, 2013
Summary
Blood pressure (BP) changes with age, with systolic BP rising and diastolic BP falling in older adults. This shift increases stroke and coronary heart disease risk, particularly with low diastolic BP.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) impact coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke incidence.
- Blood pressure (BP) exhibits age-related shifts, moving from DBP predominance in youth to SBP predominance in older age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the role of age-related BP shifts, particularly concerning stroke incidence.
- To discuss the implications of BP changes with aging and the risks associated with low DBP.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological data analysis of BP trends with age.
- Review of existing studies on the relationship between SBP, DBP, PP, and cardiovascular events.
Main Results:
- SBP increases linearly with age, while DBP peaks in middle age and declines thereafter, leading to a widening PP.
- Low DBP (<71 mmHg) in individuals ≥50 years showed an inverse relationship with stroke risk, while elevated SBP and DBP (≥71 mmHg) were positively associated with stroke.
- Arterial stiffening with age contributes to increased pulse wave velocity, central SBP, and PP, elevating CHD and stroke risk.
Conclusions:
- Treating hypertension in the elderly requires attention to the potential harm of low DBP and widened PP on stroke and CHD risk.
- Understanding age-related BP dynamics is crucial for mitigating cardiovascular event risk in aging populations.
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