Sex-specific associations between blood pressure in early midlife and arterial stiffness 27 years later: the Hordaland Health Study - Summary - MDSpire
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Sex-specific associations between blood pressure in early midlife and arterial stiffness 27 years later: the Hordaland Health Study
To assess sex-specific associations between blood pressure (BP) categories in early midlife and increased arterial stiffness 27 years later, focusing on both women and men.
Key Findings:
62% of women and 67% of men had elevated BP at baseline; 9% of women and 26% of men had hypertension.
At follow-up, 17% of women and 31% of men exhibited increased arterial stiffness.
Elevated BP and hypertension in women were associated with increased arterial stiffness (OR 2.78 [95% CI 1.74–4.42] and OR 4.62 [95% CI 2.48–8.58], respectively), while no significant association was found in men (OR 1.10 [95% CI 0.58–2.10] and OR 1.33 [95% CI 0.67–2.66]).
Interpretation:
The findings indicate that elevated BP and hypertension in early midlife significantly increase the risk of arterial stiffness later in life for women, while no such association was observed in men, highlighting the need for targeted BP management in both groups.
Limitations:
The study's observational design limits causal inferences.
Exclusion of participants on antihypertensive medication may affect generalizability.
The study's focus on a specific population may limit the applicability of findings to broader demographics.
Conclusion:
Managing blood pressure in early midlife is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention in women, as the association with arterial stiffness is not observed in men, indicating a need for gender-specific strategies.
