INCREASED PULSE WAVE VELOCITY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN BRAZILIAN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: The increase in pulse wave velocity (PWV) reflects arterial stiffness and indicates an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several factors have been associated with increased PWV in different populations and some of them are poorly studied or have controversial results. The objective of this study was to identify the sociodemographic, laboratory and blood pressure factors associated with the increase in PWV in participants of the I Brazilian Registry of Hypertension (I RBH). Design and method: Cross-sectional, multicenter and national study with data taken from the baseline of the I RBH. Participants with central blood pressure measured were nalyses. A questionnaire was applied with demographic data, personal medical history, lifestyle and biochemical tests. The PWV value considered as changed was > or = 10 m/s. Statistical nalyses were performed using Stata 15, comparisons established with chi-square and correlations with Spearman or Pearson tests, p < 0.05 adopted. Results: 44 participants were evaluated: 62.5% women, 63.8 ± 14.4 years, PWV 9.5 ± 2.2 m/s and 40.7% had PWV > or = 10 m/s. Higher frequency of altered PWV was presented in those aged > or = 60 years (62.8%) and with > or = three cardiovascular risk facts (p < 0.001). Age (r = 0.907), central systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.223), peripheral SBP (r = 0.237) and HDL (r = 0.240) were correlated with PWV. Conclusions: We identified a higher frequency of PWV > or = 10m/s in patients with 60 years or more, patients with three or more risk factors and a positive correlation of age, PASc, PASp and HDL with PWV in hypertensive patients of the I RBH.