Relationship between resistant hypertension and arterial stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in the older patient

BACKGROUND Resistant hypertension (RH) is a common clinical condition associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in older patients. Several factors and conditions interfering with blood pressure (BP) control, such as excess sodium intake, obesity, diabetes, older age, kidney disease, and certain identifiable causes of hypertension are common in patients resistant to antihypertensive treatment. Arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic index and potential therapeutic target in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between RH and arterial stiffness. METHODS This study included 1,620 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were referred or self-referred to the outpatient hypertension unit located at a single cardiovascular center. They were separated into normotensive, controlled BP, and resistant hypertension groups. Home BP, blood laboratory parameters, echocardiographic studies and baPWV all were measured. RESULTS The likelihood of diabetes mellitus was significantly greater in the RH group than in the group with controlled BP (odds ratio 2.114, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.194-3.744, P=0.010). Systolic BP was correlated in the RH group significantly more than in the group with controlled BP (odds ratio 1.032, 95% CI 1.012-1.053, P=0.001). baPWV (odds ratio 1.084, 95% CI 1.016-1.156, P=0.015) was significantly correlated with the presence of RH. The other factors were negatively correlated with the existence of RH. CONCLUSION In patients aged ≥ 65 years, the patients with RH have elevated vascular stiffness more than the well controlled hypertension group. baPWV increased with arterial stiffness and was correlated with BP levels. Strict BP control is necessary to prevent severe functional and structural vascular changes in the course of hypertensive disease.