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Blood pressure changes with aging: evidence for a cohort effect
1Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Aging (Milan, Italy)
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Contrary to common belief, this study found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure tend to decrease with age in healthy elderly individuals. This prospective research challenges existing assumptions about aging and blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cross-sectional studies suggest blood pressure increases with age.
- However, cross-sectional data may not accurately reflect individual aging trends.
- Previous research has not prospectively examined blood pressure changes in elderly populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively analyze changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time.
- To investigate blood pressure trends in community-dwelling elderly individuals.
- To compare prospective findings with existing cross-sectional data.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 1,917 individuals aged 65-98.
- Data collected over at least seven years through the Florida Geriatric Research Program.
- Analysis included stratification by medication use, weight change, and survivorship.
Main Results:
- Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels showed a tendency to decrease with increasing age.
- A downward trend in blood pressure was observed consistently across all ages and genders.
- Longer-term follow-up revealed a U-shaped trend, and a cohort effect was evident with lower blood pressure in younger birth cohorts.
Conclusions:
- In a healthy elderly population, blood pressure does not necessarily increase with aging.
- Findings suggest a potential need to re-evaluate hypertension diagnosis and treatment thresholds in the elderly.
- Prospective data provides a more accurate understanding of blood pressure changes during aging.