Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
Pulse Wave Velocity: Retrospective Analysis in a Balkan Normotensive and Hypertensive Population: A Study of 9923
Dragan Lovic1,2, Manolis S Kallistratos3, Leonidas Poulimenos3
11 Clinic for Internal Disease Intermedica, Niš, Serbia.
Insights
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is higher in hypertensive patients compared to controls. PWV increases with higher blood pressure and is linked to factors like BMI, age, and smoking status.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hypertension Research
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a key indicator of arterial stiffness.
- Arterial stiffness is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events.
- Understanding factors influencing PWV in hypertension is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pulse wave velocity (PWV) between hypertensive and control individuals.
- To identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with PWV in hypertensive patients.
- To investigate the relationship between blood pressure categories and PWV.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 9923 participants from outpatient hypertensive clinics in Serbia and Greece.
- Comparison of PWV distributions between 6818 hypertensive patients and 3105 controls.
- Statistical analysis to assess associations between PWV and baseline characteristics, including BMI, gender, age, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in PWV distribution were observed between hypertensive and control groups (P < .001).
- PWV magnitude correlated with blood pressure categories, from optimal to stage III hypertension (P < .001).
- Elevated PWV was noted even in hypertensive patients with controlled blood pressure (SBP <140/DBP <90 mm Hg; P < .001) and associated with BMI, gender, age, heart rate, and smoking status (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive patients exhibit increased PWV compared to controls.
- The degree of PWV elevation is associated with baseline blood pressure and anthropometric factors.
- PWV is a valuable marker reflecting arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals, even when blood pressure is seemingly controlled.
Abstract:
We compared pulse wave velocity (PWV) between hypertensive patients and control patients to identify demographics and patient characteristics related to PWV. We retrospectively analyzed 9923 participants (3105 controls and 6818 hypertensive patients) from 5 outpatient hypertensive clinics (in Serbia and Greece). Pulse wave velocity had different distribution between controls and hypertensive patients ( P < .001). The magnitude of PWV increase was related to blood pressure (BP) category (from optimal to stage III hypertension; P < .001). Even in hypertensive patients with systolic BP (SBP) <140 and/or diastolic BP (DBP) <90 mm Hg, PWV was greater than in control patients ( P < .001). Pulse wave velocity was associated with almost all baseline characteristics of hypertensive patients (body mass index [BMI], gender, age, SBP, DBP, smoking status, and heart rate; P < .001). This association remained after adjustment of PWV confounders. There were 2231 (32.7%) hypertensive patients who had reached SBP <140 mm Hg and DBP <90 mm Hg. Pulse wave velocity was increased in hypertensive patients, and the degree of PWV increase was associated with baseline BP as well as with anthropometric parameters (eg, BMI, gender, age, heart rate, and smoking status).
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
01:11Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
01:21Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement