Abstract :
Background: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Arterial stiffness is a key marker of vascular health and an early indicator of vascular aging. Parameters such as pulse wave velocity, aortic augmentation index (AIx), and AIx adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx@75) provide valuable insights into cardiovascular status beyond conventional blood pressure measurements.Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 160 participants (80 hypertensive and 80 normotensive), matched for age and sex. Anthropometric data and peripheral blood pressure were recorded. Central blood pressure and pulse wave analysis (PWA) were assessed using a non-invasive radial tonometry device (SphygmoCor 8.1). The measured parameters included heart rate, AIx, and AIx@75.Results: The mean AIx was significantly higher in hypertensive individuals compared to normotensive controls (22.70 ± 8.08 vs. 11.57 ± 6.55; P < 0.001). Among females, AIx was also higher in hypertensive subjects (29.44 ± 9.06 vs. 16.68 ± 9.15; P < 0.001). Similarly, AIx@75 was significantly elevated in hypertensive participants of both sexes (P < 0.001). Females showed higher AIx values than males overall. Multiple regression analysis identified height, aortic systolic and diastolic pressure, and heart rate as significant positive predictors of AIx, whereas age and height were the main predictors of AIx@75 (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Central aortic blood pressure, particularly AIx, appears to be a more reliable indicator of cardiovascular risk than peripheral blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. These findings highlight the clinical importance of assessing central aortic pressure parameters for improved cardiovascular risk evaluation.
Keyword :
Hypertension, Augmentation index, Pulse wave analysis, Central blood pressure