Associations Between Blood Pressure and Accelerated DNA Methylation Aging

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Individual aging rates vary despite chronological age.
• Limited research exists on the link between blood pressure and accelerated aging.
• Biological age, distinct from chronological age, influences health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between blood pressure metrics and epigenetic age acceleration.
• To quantify the dose-response relationship between blood pressure and biological aging.
• To explore potential sex differences in the blood pressure-epigenetic aging link.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 288 adults aged 50+ years.
• DNA methylation-based biological age assessed using Illumina HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip.
• Epigenetic age acceleration calculated as residuals (ΔAge) and ratios (aging rate) relative to chronological age.

Main Results:

• Increased systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure correlated with higher epigenetic age acceleration (ΔAge and aging rate).
• Each 10-mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure associated with 0.608 years increase in ΔAge.
• Pulse pressure showed a stronger association, with a 1.12 years increase in ΔAge per unit increase.
• Women showed significant associations between blood pressure and epigenetic age acceleration, particularly those with hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Elevated systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging.
• Findings suggest blood pressure is a significant factor in biological aging processes.
• The study highlights potential sex-specific effects and the heightened risk in hypertensive women.