Effects of isolated systolic hypertension and essential hypertension on large and middle-sized artery compliance

Background: Systolic hypertension of the elderly is characterized by a reduction in arterial compliance. Whether and to what extent this involves arteries of various structure and size is not well known Objective: To study carotid and radial artery compliance in systolic hypertension of the elderly, compared to essential hypertension and normotension. Methods: We investigated 28 elderly patients with systolic hypertension (age 68.6 ± 1.4 years, mean ± SE; systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) plus 17 age-matched patients with essential hypertension and 15 age- matched healthy normotensive subjects. Radial and carotid artery compliance were evaluated using echotracking techniques. In both arteries compliance was assessed statistically and dynamically, i.e. as compliance values throughout the diasto-systolic pressure range. Measurements included intima-media wall thickness of the radial artery. Results: Compared to normotensive subjects, carotid arter...