Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
A prospective study on pulse wave velocity (PWV) and response to anti-hypertensive treatments: PWV determines BP
Meili Zheng1, Yong Huo2, Xiaobin Wang3
1Heart Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts how well individuals respond to blood pressure (BP) lowering drugs. Higher baseline PWV is linked to greater BP reduction, highlighting its role in personalized hypertension treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hypertension Research
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Hypertension remains poorly controlled globally, necessitating clarification of factors influencing treatment response.
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, is linked to BP progression but its role in BP control is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess blood pressure (BP) control during antihypertensive treatment in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).
- To investigate the relationship between baseline Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and BP reduction during treatment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 3056 hypertensive subjects from the CSPPT with baseline PWV measurements.
- Assessment of BP changes after short-term antihypertensive treatment (median 20 days follow-up).
Main Results:
- Average BP decreased from 166/95mmHg to 141/85mmHg.
- An inverse relationship was observed between baseline PWV and BP reduction, particularly for systolic BP (P<0.001).
- Factors associated with smaller BP decline included high baseline PWV, high BMI, and older age.
Conclusions:
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an independent determinant of individual response to antihypertensive therapy.
- PWV measurement may aid in tailoring hypertension management strategies.
Objectives:
Recent data indicate that hypertension is not well controlled in many populations throughout the world. The factors that influence individual response to anti-hypertensive treatment need to be clarified. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), as a marker of arterial stiffness, has been demonstrated to have important relationships with BP progression; however, little information is available on the role of PWV in blood pressure (BP) control. We aimed to assess BP control during the run-in treatment period in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).
Methods And Results:
These analyses included a total of 3056 treated hypertensive subjects (age: 59.6±7.5years, male/female 1339/1717) with PWV measured at baseline. The average BP at enrollment was 166/95mmHg, and declined to 141/85mmHg after short-term antihypertensive treatment (a median follow-up of 20days). There was an inverse relationship between PWV level and BP reduction during the treatment, most notably for systolic BP (with estimated coefficients of -9.01 (P<0.001) for the top quartile, as compared to the bottom quartile). The association did not differ significantly by gender or types of antihypertensive drugs. Factors related to smaller BP decline were low baseline BP, high baseline PWV, high body mass index, high creatinine, use of fewer types of antihypertensive drug, high heart rate (only for SBP), high homocysteine and low age (only for DBP).
Conclusion:
PWV appears to be an independent determinant of individual response to anti-hypertensive treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:23Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
01:28Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
01:30Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...