Association between inter-arm difference in SBP and central blood pressure in a Beijing community cohort

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Hypertension Research
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• The inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD) is recognized as a potential predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Understanding the relationship between peripheral blood pressure measurements and central hemodynamics is crucial for accurate CVD risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD) and central blood pressure (CBP).
• To explore potential mechanisms linking IASBPD to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through central hemodynamics.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 7842 individuals had their blood pressures measured simultaneously in both arms to calculate IASBPD.
• Central blood pressure (CBP) was noninvasively assessed using a dedicated device.
• Multivariate regression analysis examined the relationship between central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and IASBPD.

Main Results:

• An IASBPD of 10 mmHg or greater was significantly associated with higher central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) (β = 2.26, P < 0.001).
• Subgroup analyses revealed no significant interactions between IASBPD and various covariates (age, sex, BMI, smoking, heart rate, hypertension, diabetes, CVD, or medication use) concerning cSBP.

Conclusions:

• The observed association between IASBPD and elevated CBP suggests that increased central blood pressure may partly explain how IASBPD predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• These findings highlight the clinical relevance of inter-arm blood pressure differences in assessing cardiovascular risk.