Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice
06:39

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice

Published on: April 13, 2015

Variability in systolic blood pressure--a risk factor for coronary heart disease?

J S Grove1, D M Reed, K Yano

  • 1Biostatistics Program, School of Public Health, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822, USA.

American Journal of Epidemiology
|May 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure variability, not just average levels, significantly increases coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in men. Managing blood pressure variation may be key to preventing heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Blood pressure variability is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular events.
  • Understanding the interplay between blood pressure metrics and CHD is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between different measures of blood pressure, including mean levels, age-related trends (slope), and variability (variance), and the incidence of definite CHD.
  • To determine if body weight variation is an independent risk factor for CHD.
  • To explore the impact of antihypertensive medication on the relationship between blood pressure variance and CHD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 1,433 men of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii.
  • Blood pressure was measured at four points over 10 years, with subsequent follow-up for CHD events.
  • Statistical analyses, including regression and adjustment for covariates, were used to assess associations between blood pressure parameters and CHD incidence.

Main Results:

  • Adjusted for mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), SBP variance was a significant predictor of CHD (p < 0.001).
  • Body weight variation was identified as an independent risk factor for CHD.
  • The association between SBP variance and CHD was significantly stronger in men not taking antihypertensive medication (relative risk of 5.3 for highest vs. lowest quintile).

Conclusions:

  • Blood pressure variability, specifically SBP variance, is a significant independent risk factor for incident coronary heart disease.
  • Antihypertensive medication may exert its beneficial effects partly by mitigating the impact of SBP variance, not solely by lowering average SBP.
  • Reducing blood pressure variability should be considered in the comprehensive management and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

More Related Videos

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine12:37

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine

Published on: February 9, 2016

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

Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
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.
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...
Measurement of Blood Pressure01:17

Measurement of Blood Pressure

Assessing blood pressure is a standard procedure executed in virtually all medical environments. The method utilized today was established over a hundred years ago by an innovative Russian doctor, Dr. Nikolai Korotkoff. The soft ticking noise, known as Korotkoff sounds, heard while taking blood pressure readings results from turbulent blood flow within the vessels. The apparatus required for this procedure includes a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure cuff attached to a gauge, and a stethoscope.
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
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,...