Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
10:08

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound

Published on: December 2, 2014

Maternal educational level and blood pressure, aortic stiffness, cardiovascular structure and functioning in

Selma H Bouthoorn1, Frank J Van Lenthe, Layla L De Jonge

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

American Journal of Hypertension
|October 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Socioeconomic disparities in blood pressure begin in childhood. Children of less educated mothers have higher blood pressure and altered heart function, linked to body mass index and physical activity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Public health
  • Socioeconomic determinants of health

Background:

  • Low educational attainment is linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes in adults.
  • Socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular health may originate in childhood.
  • The study addresses the gap in understanding early-life socioeconomic influences on cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal education level and cardiovascular parameters in 6-year-old children.
  • To identify potential underlying factors contributing to these associations, such as body mass index and physical activity.
  • To explore early-life origins of socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 5,843 children in the Netherlands.
  • Maternal education assessed at enrollment.
  • Measurements at age 6 included blood pressure, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, left atrial and aortic root diameters, left ventricular mass, and fractional shortening.

Main Results:

  • Children of mothers with low education exhibited higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to children of highly educated mothers.
  • Child's body mass index (BMI), maternal BMI, and physical activity were key explanatory factors for blood pressure differences.
  • Maternal education showed a negative association with fractional shortening, influenced by blood pressure and child's BMI; no other socioeconomic gradients were found in arterial or cardiac measures.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic inequalities in blood pressure are evident in early childhood.
  • Elevated fractional shortening in children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may indicate early cardiac adaptation to higher blood pressure and BMI.
  • Interventions targeting child BMI reduction and increased physical activity in lower socioeconomic groups are recommended.
Abstract

Keywords:
arterial stiffnessblood pressurecardiac functioncardiac structureschildhoodhypertensionmaternal educational level.

Related Concept Videos

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:
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,...
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...
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure01:10

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the patient.
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...
Vascular Resistance01:20

Vascular Resistance

Vascular resistance is a critical concept in understanding blood flow dynamics in the circulatory system. It refers to the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the blood vessels. This resistance is a key factor in determining blood pressure and cardiac workload.
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...