Aging over 27.8 months in treated hypertensive patients increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity from 10.3 to 10.9 m/s (p=0.05) and carotid-radial PWV from 10.9 to 12.6 m/s (p=0.001).
Cohort (n=105)
In treated hypertensive patients, large artery stiffness (PWV) increases with age despite medical therapy, although peripheral vascular resistance decreases.
Absolute Event Rate: 10.9% vs 10.3%
p-value: p=0.05
Objective: To determine whether differences are observed in pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured twice in Finnish drug-treated hypertensive patients (n = 105). Design and method: Carotid–femoral (C–F) and carotid–radial (C–R) PWV were measured using a Doppler ultrasonography device (Micro Medical PulseTrace PWV and PCA, Micro Medical Ltd, Rochester, Kent, UK). The photoplethysmographic transducer of the same device was used to measure stiffness index (SI) and resistance index (RI). Measurements were performed in 105 Finnish drug-treated hypertensive patients (43 females and 62 males) at two time points, with a mean interval of 27.8 (9.9) months. At the time of the first measurement, the mean age of the patients was 62.5 (8.5) years, and at the second measurement 64.7 (8.6) years. Plasma LDL cholesterol was 2.6 (0.8) mmol/L at the first measurement and 2.6 (0.9) mmol/L at the second measurement (p = 0.91). Serum creatinine levels were 80.5 (16.3) μmol/L at baseline and 76.4 (19.1) μmol/L at follow-up (p = 0.01). The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio remained within the normal range in most patients. Results: Mean C–F PWV was 10.3 (2.9) m/s at the first measurement and increased to 10.9 (2.9) m/s at the second measurement (p = 0.05). Mean C–R PWV increased from 10.9 (2.2) m/s to 12.6 (7.2) m/s (p = 0.001). RI decreased from 0.77 (0.09) to 0.73 (0.20) (p = 0.01). SI was 10.2 (2.8) m/s at baseline and 10.6 (10.2) m/s at follow-up (p = 0.08). Mean office systolic blood pressure was 139.1 (15.6) mmHg at baseline and 137.2 (20.3) mmHg at follow-up (p=0.32), while mean diastolic blood pressure was 85.5 (9.4) mmHg and 83.2 (9.2) mmHg (p=0.75), respectively. Conclusions: Carotid–femoral and carotid–radial PWV increased between the two measurements performed approximately two years apart. In contrast, the resistance index decreased during follow-up. These findings suggest that antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications may reduce peripheral vascular resistance and preserve renal function but are insufficient to prevent age-related stiffening of large arteries.
Kantola et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Hypertension (n=105). Aging vs. Baseline was evaluated on Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (m/s) (p=0.05). Aging over 27.8 months in treated hypertensive patients increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity from 10.3 to 10.9 m/s (p=0.05) and carotid-radial PWV from 10.9 to 12.6 m/s (p=0.001).