Age‐related increase of pulse pressure and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 I/D gene polymorphism in essential hypertension

BACKGROUND: Pulse pressure (PP), a marker of cyclic strain on the arterial wall, is a significant predictor of cardiovascular (CV) risk, particularly regarding the incidence of coronary arterial stenosis. Genes related to haemostatic and/or fibrinolytic factors are consistently influenced in vitro by mechanical strain. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to determine, in the three genotypes of the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene polymorphism, the gender-adjusted difference in the relationships between age and PP in subjects with never treated essential hypertension. RESULTS: In the studied population, the genotype deletion (D)/D at position -675 of the PAI-1 insertion (I)/D gene polymorphism was associated with a significant increase in the adjusted slope of the curve relating age to PP by comparison with the two other genotypes. No comparable difference in age-related changes in systolic, diastolic or mean blood pressure was found. CONCLUSION: In subjects with essential hypertension, the PAI-1 I/D gene polymorphism modulates the age-mediated increase of PP, suggesting new insights on the complex interactions between genes, mechanical factors and CV risk.