Age Related Hemodynamic Blood Pressure Changes for Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Mini-review.
Loading...
Date
2013-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The blood pressure (BP) changes with the advancement of age from the predominant
diastolic BP (DBP) in the young to the predominant systolic BP (SBP) in the older person.
This shift is due to the stiffening of the large arteries as a result of the ageing process and
the replacement of the elastic fibers with collagen fibers resulting in the loss of
compliance and the elastic recoil of these vessels. The end result is augmentation in
pulse wave velocity (PWV) and widening of pulse pressure (PP). The SBP rises linearly
with the advancement of age whereas, the DBP rises up to the age 50 years and begins
to decline after the age of 60 years leading to a progressive increase in PP. These
hemodynamic changes of BP are frequently associated with an increased incidence in
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and strokes. Several studies have shown an inverse
relationship between DBP and CVD, whereas no such a relationship has been
demonstrated for stroke. However, recently, an inverse relationship has been reported
between DBP and stroke for subjects 50 years of age or older. The implications of BP
changes with age as they are related to CVD and strokes will be discussed in this mini
review. It appears from these recent findings that in treating the hypertension in the
elderly to reduce CVD and stroke, care should be taken not to allow the DBP to drop
below 55-80 mmHg, since below this DBP level the incidence of CVD and strokes
increase.
Description
Keywords
Age, arterisclerosis, systolic blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke
Citation
Chrysant Steven G, Chrysant George S. Age Related Hemodynamic Blood Pressure Changes for Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Mini-review. Cardiology and Angiology An International Journal. 2013 Jan-June; 1(1): 23-33.