Influence of Central Blood Pressure in Vascular Ageing: A Cross-sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64149/J.Carcinog.24.3s.204-208Keywords:
Central blood pressure, Vascular ageing, Aortic systolic pressure, Oscillometric method, Ankle-Brachial Index, Arterial stiffness, Cardiovascular risk.Abstract
Background: Vascular ageing is a critical determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, characterized by progressive arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and loss of vascular compliance. Central blood pressure (cBP) parameters, including aortic systolic blood pressure (AoSBP) and aortic diastolic blood pressure (AoDBP), have emerged as superior predictors of vascular risk compared to peripheral blood pressure. Early identification of vascular ageing through oscillometric methods allows timely risk stratification.
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between central blood pressure parameters and vascular ageing in adults aged 35-50 years, and to assess the role of vascular stiffness markers, particularly the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), in predicting vascular ageing.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 participants aged 35-50 years. Central blood pressure parameters (AoSBP, AoDBP) were measured using Periscope, an oscillometric-based device validated for central hemodynamic assessment. Vascular ageing was assessed using vascular age indices derived from oscillometric waveforms. ABI was measured simultaneously to assess peripheral arterial stiffness. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA, and multivariate regression to establish associations between central blood pressure, ABI, and vascular ageing.
Results: Participants with higher AoSBP demonstrated significantly advanced vascular ageing (mean vascular age = 58.4 ± 6.2 years vs chronological age = 42.6 ± 4.8 years, p < 0.001). AoSBP showed a strong positive correlation with vascular ageing (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), whereas AoDBP demonstrated a moderate correlation (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). ABI <1.0 was significantly associated with increased vascular age and arterial stiffness (β = 0.41, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed that central SBP and ABI were independent predictors of advanced vascular ageing after adjusting for age, BMI, and smoking status.
Conclusion: Central blood pressure parameters, particularly AoSBP, are strongly correlated with vascular ageing and outperform peripheral blood pressure as predictors. ABI serves as an additional marker of vascular stiffness, reinforcing its role in the early detection of vascular ageing. Incorporating central hemodynamic assessment into routine practice may provide superior risk stratification in adults at risk of premature vascular ageing.
