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Effects of age and gender on ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate
F Jaquet1, I B Goldstein, D Shapiro
1University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1759, USA.
Insights
Elderly individuals, especially women, exhibit higher ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels and BP variability compared to younger adults. This increased BP variability in elderly women may signal a greater risk for cerebrovascular damage.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Aging is associated with changes in cardiovascular regulation.
- Understanding age- and gender-related differences in blood pressure (BP) is crucial for assessing cardiovascular risk.
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring provides insights into daily BP fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age- and gender-specific differences in ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels and within-subject BP variability.
- To determine if elderly subjects exhibit higher BP levels and variability compared to a younger cohort.
- To examine gender-specific patterns in BP and its variability during waking and sleep states.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of young (n=194) and elderly (n=148) healthy adults participated.
- 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted using the Accutracker II device.
- Analysis included calculation of individual BP levels and standard deviations for awake and sleep periods.
Main Results:
- Elderly women showed higher systolic blood pressure (BP) than young women.
- Both elderly men and women had elevated diastolic BP compared to younger subjects.
- Increased BP variability during waking hours was observed in the elderly, particularly in women.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals, especially women, present with higher ambulatory BP levels and greater BP variability.
- Elevated BP variability in elderly women may be an indicator of increased risk for end-organ damage, including silent cerebrovascular damage.
Abstract:
In a large group of young (n = 194) and elderly (n = 148) healthy subjects, we explored the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels, within-subject BP variability, and age in men and women. The questions asked were: Do elderly subjects display higher BP levels and variability compared to a young group? Are there gender differences in BP level and variability? Are these gender differences similar in the young and the elderly subjects? Do age or gender influence BP in a similar way during waking and during sleep? Subjects wore an ambulatory BP monitor (Accutracker II) for 24 h. Individual levels and variability (standard deviations) were calculated for periods when subjects were awake and during sleep. Systolic BP was higher in the elderly women than in the young group. In comparison to the young subjects, both elderly men and women had higher diastolic BP. BP variability while subjects were awake was higher in the elderly, in women in particular. The higher levels of BP variability found in the elderly women may indicate relatively higher risk for end-organ damage, such as silent cerebrovascular damage.
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