P-8: Pulse pressure in normotensive and hypertensive patients. Average values, relationships and differences by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in 1940 subjects

Abstract

Pulse pressure (PP) has recently received an increasing attention as a risk factor in hypertension. Furthermore PP seems to play a prognostic role in this clinical setting. In order to assess values of normalcy for PP and differences, if any, among hypertensive patients, we calculated PP values in 1940 Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) data sets. ABPM had been recorded in normotensive and hypertensive individuals, either treated or untreated, randomly selected from a larger database. ABPM were recorded by SpaceLabs 90207 monitors, starting at 10 AM. Night-time period was preset from 11 PM to 07 AM. Measurement rate was 4/hour during the day and 3/hour during the night. Naps were not allowed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software for differences and consistencies, as a post-hoc analysis. (See Table)

	NT (n=492)	HT (n=353)	RS (n=685)	NR (n=410)
Age (yr)	49.72	49.12	61.11*	59.97*
PP24Avg	49.54	49.73	52.80*	52.28*
PP24SEM	0.43	0.45	0.48	0.54

*

Statistics: = P<.01 vs NT and HT (ANOVA). Values are expressed in mmHg. Legend: NT=normotensive subjects; HT= untreated hypertensive patients; RS= treated hypertensive responder patients; NR= treated hypertensive nonresponder patients; Avg=average; PP24= pulse pressure (24 hour value); SEM= standard error of the mean.

No statistically significant difference was found between hypertensive and normotensive individuals, nor between responders and nonresponders. Significant difference was found among patient groups of different mean age, being PP significantly (P<.001) related to age itself. This is not surprising being systolic blood pressure positively related and diastolic blood pressure inversely related to age. PP seems not related to the raised blood pressure in different patients. PP might merely be a marker of age-induced vascular damage. A word of caution in overevaluating PP as a prognostic or risk factor should be expressed.

Pulse Pressure, Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, ABPM