Influence of obesity in central blood pressure
Gernot Pichler1, Fernando Martinez, Antonio Vicente
1aHypertension Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital of Valencia, INCLIVA, University of Valencia bCIBEROBn, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain cCardiovascular Risk Unit, Department of Pediatrics, General Hospital of Valencia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Overweight and obese patients have lower central systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) compared to normal-weight individuals. This finding suggests a complex relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Obesity Research
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Obesity is a significant global health concern and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding the impact of body mass index (BMI) on cardiovascular parameters is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of BMI on central blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV).
- To compare these effects in both normotensive and hypertensive patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral BP measured using an oscillometric device.
- Central aortic BP reconstructed from radial artery waveforms.
- Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured using an automatic device.
Main Results:
- Central SBP showed a negative association with overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²).
- PWV decreased in overweight/obese patients compared to normal-weight patients at similar central SBP levels.
- PWV was positively associated with age, male sex, and BP treatment.
Conclusions:
- Overweight and obesity are associated with lower central SBP, particularly in women.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of body weight on vascular dynamics.
Background:
Obesity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has become a major concern in healthcare due to its high prevalence worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of BMI on central blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in normotensive and hypertensive patients.
Patients And Methods:
Normotensive and hypertensive adult patients who attended the outpatient clinic of cardiovascular risk were included. Peripheral BP was obtained in the brachial artery by using an oscillometric device (OMRON M-6). Central aortic BP waveform was reconstructed from the radial artery pressure waveforms (SphygmoCor, AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia) and central BP was calculated. Carotid-femoral PWV was measured by an automatic device (Complior, Artech, France).
Results:
We examined a total of 351 patients [50.7% women; 77 patients normal-weight (BMI < 25 kg/m)], 274 patients overweight or obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m). Central SBP showed a positive association with male sex and mean BP, but a negative association with overweight/obesity. PWV was positively associated with age, male sex, central BP, peripheral BP and BP treatment, whereas BMI of at least 25 kg/m led to a decrease in PWV in patients with the same central SBP levels. Likewise, PWV was lower in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal-weight group at the same central SBP.
Conclusion:
Overweight and obesity tend to have lower central SBP as compared to lean patients, mainly in women. Further research is required to assess the interaction between body weight and vascular dynamics and their clinical implications.
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