Blood pressure components and decline in kidney function in community-living older adults: the Cardiovascular Health

Dena E Rifkin1, Ronit Katz, Michel Chonchol

  • 1Divisions of Nephrology and of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, and Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA. drifkin@ucsd.edu

Insights

Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) significantly accelerate kidney function decline in older adults. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) showed no significant association with kidney function loss.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Geriatrics
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Hypertension is a known contributor to kidney dysfunction.
  • The specific impact of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) on kidney function decline in community-dwelling older adults remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent and combined associations of SBP, DBP, and PP with kidney function decline in older adults.
  • To determine which blood pressure components are most detrimental to kidney health in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized linear and logistic regression analyses on data from 4,365 older adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study.
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using cystatin C over a 7-year follow-up period.
  • Defined rapid kidney function decline as ≥ 3 ml/min/year.

Main Results:

  • Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP), not DBP, were significantly associated with kidney function decline.
  • Each 10-mm Hg increase in SBP and PP correlated with a faster decline of 0.13 and 0.15 ml/min/year, respectively.
  • SBP demonstrated the strongest independent association with rapid kidney function decline, increasing hazard by 14% per 10-mm Hg increment.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated blood pressure, particularly SBP, is a significant factor in the decline of kidney function among older adults.
  • Findings highlight SBP as a critical target for interventions aimed at preserving kidney health in the aging population.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...