Ageing-related changes on arterial pressures values in treated hypertensives

Objective: To determine aging-induced changes on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive treated patients. Methods: Patients were divided into four groups according to their age: group A, < 4.5 years; group B, from 45 to 54 years; group C, from 55 to 65 years, group D, > 65 years. The groups were matched for sex and body mass index. No diabetic patients were included. Ambulatory blood pressured was registered using an automatic device Spacelabs 90207 (automatic readings at 15 to 20 min intervals). Results: Mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were not different in any group. Pulse pressure was increased in older patients (group D) vs. younger patients (group A)(57.3 +/- 13.2 vs. 45.2 +/- 6.0 mmHg, p < 0,05, Test de Sheffe) due to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and an increase in systolic values. There were not significant differences in standard deviations or variability coefficients. No differences were found on the intensity of white-coat reaction. There was a trend toward a aging-associated decrease on night blood pressure fall, but it was not significant, although a negative linear correlation of age and night blood pressure fall was showed (SBP, r = 0,33, p < 0,05, DBP r = 0,37, p < 0,05). A similar number of patients were normotensive with treatment in each group. Conclusion: In patients older than 65 years blood pressure monitoring showed an increase on pulse pressure due both to decreased DBP and increased SBP These changes could be produced by the presence of structural changes on vascular wall mean while the functional component of hypertension tends to ameliorate. These findings confirms previous reports using clinical blood pressure meassurements.