The Effect of Mean Arterial Pressure on the Progression of Arterial Stiffness in Normotensive Subjects

Abstract

Abstract Background To examine the effect of mean arterial pressure on the progression of arterial stiffness in normotensive subjects. Methods The subjects who completed 2 measurements of brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and were normotensive at the first baPWV measurement, were enrolled during the second, third, fourth, and fifth follow-up of the Kailuan study. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effect of baseline mean arterial pressure and mean arterial pressure on arterial stiffness at the end of follow-up and its progression in normotensive subjects. Results Among the 11,697 subjects who met the inclusion criteria, the average age was (43.7 ± 12.2) years old with 6,284 males (53.7%). The average follow-up time was 3.7 years, and baseline baPWV value was (1,346.2 ± 239.9) cm/s. The follow-up baPWV value was (1,403.4 ± 273.5) cm/s, and the average baPWV progression was 57.2 cm/s. In multivariate linear regression analysis, after adjustment for age, glucose, serum lipid, and other factors, an increase of 1 mm Hg in baseline mean arterial pressure resulted in an increase of 8. 6 cm/s in baPWV at the end of follow-up and 3.7 cm/s in baPWV progression, respectively. An increase of 1 mm Hg in mean arterial pressure during follow-up period resulted in an increase of 5.2 cm/s at the end of follow-up and 2.9 cm/s in baPWV progression, respectively. Conclusions Mean arterial pressures at baseline and during follow-up are associated with the progression of arterial stiffness in normotensive subjects.