[Spurious hypertension in an athletic young man]

Isolated systolic hypertension is typical for the elderly, but also occurs in younger adults. Increased pulse wave amplification between the elastic aorta and arteries to the arm can result in a higher peripheral (brachial) blood pressure, while central (aortic) systolic blood pressure is normal. A 21-year-old athletic man was referred because of an arterial blood pressure of 160/85 mmHg. Diagnostic work-up did not reveal secondary hypertension or organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy or microalbuminuria. Pulse wave analysis by arterial tonometry showed central blood pressure to be 29 mmHg lower than blood pressure at the brachial artery. This finding suggests 'spurious' or pseudohypertension. Isolated systolic hypertension in athletic young adults can reflect a discrepancy between a blood pressure measured at the upper limb and the 'true' central blood pressure at the central arteries, i.e. pseudohypertension.