Blood pressure limits affecting carotid artery injury: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Although it is well known that high blood pressure causes undesirable effects on carotid arteries, it is not clear as to which threshold value this effect starts. The aim of this study is to evaluate and determine this threshold. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 308 individuals in the following groups; Group 1: individuals with systolic blood pressure (SBP) <120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <80 mmHg (optimal), Group 2: SBP 120-129 mmHg and/or DBP 80-84 mmHg (normal), Group 3: SBP 130-139 mmHg and/or DBP 85-89 mmHg (high-normal), Group 4: SBP 140-159 mmHg and/or DBP 90-99 mmHg, Group 5: SBP 160-179 mmHg and/or DBP 100-109 mmHg, and Group 6: SBP≥180 mmHg and/or DBP≥110 mmHg. Carotid distensibility and elasticity were measured in all groups. Results: A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in carotid distensibility and elasticity (p<0.001, for both values). There was no significant difference between groups 2 and 1 (p>0.05), but there was a significant difference between other groups (groups 3-4-5) and group 1 (p<0.05, for all comparisons). SBP>135.5 mmHg started to affect carotid distensibility with 78.2% sensitivity and 74.6% specificity, and DBP>86.5 mmHg with 79.3% sensitivity and 71.6% specificity. Carotid elasticity was seen to be affected by SBP>137.5 mmHg with 80.4% sensitivity and 73.1% specificity, and DBP>88.5 mmHg with 79.1% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity. Conclusion: Carotid distensibility and elasticity decreases with increasing blood pressure. In individuals with high-normal blood pressure, carotid damage may begin after a certain blood pressure value.