Premium
The relationship between blood pressure and arterial characteristics in clinically normotensive children
Author(s) -
Phillips Aaron A,
PeraltaHuertas Jose,
Fitzgibbon Laura K,
Wade Terrance,
Cairney Jon,
O'Leary Deborah
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.982.17
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , cardiology , pulse pressure , intima media thickness , stroke (engine) , applanation tonometry , common carotid artery , artery , carotid arteries , arterial stiffness , mechanical engineering , engineering
Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease. In adults, elevated blood pressure (BP) is recognized as a major risk factor for atherosclerotic progression. In children the relationship between elevated BP and atherosclerosis progression is less understood. The objective of this study was to examine differences in central arterial distensibility (DIST) and intima‐media thickness (IMT) as well as systemic pulse transit time (PTT) in normal blood pressure (NBP) and elevated blood pressure (EBP) children. The sample consisted of 104 children (21 EBP, 83 NBP) aged 11–14 years. Blood pressure was clinically normal (on two separate occasions); however, the EBP had a significantly elevated BP in comparison to their NBP counterparts. We assessed PTT, IMT, and DIST using applanation tonometry, ultrasonography of the common carotid artery, electrocardiography, and toe pulse oximetry. No significant differences were found between NBP and EBP for IMT (0.42(0.06) vs. 0.43(0.05) mm, respectively) or DIST (65.3(27.6) kPa −1 x10 −3 vs. 62.7(21.2) kPa −1 x10 −3 , respectively). PTT was significantly elevated in the EBP group (341(23) ms) vs. the NBP (321(25) ms) group. Children 11–14 years of age with elevated BP do not show central arterial changes yet systemic vascular tone appears to be elevated. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada