Abstract
Purpose: While standing height is positively associated with blood pressure in the pediatric population, studies have suggested an inverse association in adults. We sought to therefore determine whether age modified the association between standing height and pulse pressure (PP). Methods: The study included adults ≥20 years from the 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys who were not taking antihypertensive medications. Standing height was categorized into gender-specific quintiles (Table). High PP was defined as PP ≥60 mmHg. We estimated odds ratios (OR) using logistic regression, adjusting for covariates, accounting for the complex survey design, and stratifying by 10-year age groups. Results: Among the 26,779 adults (mean [SD] age of 43 [30], 50% female, 70% White), 16% had elevated PP, ranging from 23% in the lowest height quintile (Q1) to 11% in the highest quintile (Q5). Those in Q5 were younger, of higher socioeconomic status, had greater waist circumference, and less likely to have cardiovascular disease or diabetes compared to those in Q1. Those in Q5 had 46% lower adjusted odds of high PP compared to Q1. Race and gender did not modify associations (race: p for interaction = 0.28; gender: p =0.34). When stratifying by 10-year age groups, odds of high PP significantly decreased with increasing age up to 70 years (Table, P-trend <0.001). Conclusion: Standing height was found to be negatively associated high PP, especially in adults 30-69 years. We speculate that augmented pulse wave deflection in shorter individuals may play a role in age-related increases in arterial stiffness.
Published Version
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