Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

Measuring hypertensive cardiovascular risk: the vascular overload concept

S S Franklin1, M A Weber

  • 1Hypertension Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822.

American Heart Journal
|October 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Vascular overload, a key indicator of hypertensive cardiovascular risk, is influenced by artery stiffness and pulse wave reflection. New therapeutic strategies should target systolic pressure in younger individuals and pulse pressure in the elderly.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hypertension Research
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Hypertensive cardiovascular risk is multifactorial, involving vascular overload.
  • Vascular overload comprises increased arteriolar resistance, large-artery stiffness, and early pulse-wave reflection.
  • Artery stiffness and pulse-wave reflection increase with hypertension severity and duration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between vascular overload and hypertensive cardiovascular risk.
  • To identify reliable indicators of vascular overload for risk assessment.
  • To propose new therapeutic targets based on vascular overload components.

Main Methods:

  • Quantifying vascular overload using mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure measurements.
  • Analyzing the contribution of vascular abnormalities to vascular overload over time.
  • Evaluating systolic and pulse pressure as surrogates for vascular overload across different age groups.

Main Results:

  • Vascular overload is a significant indicator of hypertensive cardiovascular risk.
  • Systolic blood pressure effectively surrogates vascular overload in younger hypertensive patients.
  • Pulse pressure is a superior surrogate for vascular overload in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular overload is a crucial determinant of hypertensive cardiovascular risk.
  • Therapeutic goals should be tailored: control systolic pressure in the young and pulse pressure in the elderly.
  • Diastolic blood pressure alone is less informative for assessing vascular overload and cardiovascular risk.

More Related Videos

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis07:51

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Special considerations while measuring blood pressure01:28

Special considerations while measuring blood pressure

When assessing blood pressure (BP), healthcare professionals must consider various factors and potential unexpected outcomes to ensure accurate readings and provide proper patient care. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to achieving the most reliable results.
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.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure01:10

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the patient.
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Vascular Resistance01:20

Vascular Resistance

Vascular resistance is a critical concept in understanding blood flow dynamics in the circulatory system. It refers to the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the blood vessels. This resistance is a key factor in determining blood pressure and cardiac workload.
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...