Relationship between BMI and PP in the aged

Objective: To study the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and pulse pressure (PP) in the aged people. Methods: 1222 aged were included and divided into two groups according to the BMI value: overweight group(BMI≥25 kg/m 2 ) and non-overweight group (BMI25 kg/m 2 ). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and PP were measured and calculated in 2 groups. Furthermore, change of SBP, DBP, MBP, PP were observed in 6 groups according to more detailed BMI classification: BMI20, BMI 20～22.49, BMI 22.5～24.99, BMI 25～27.49, BMI 27.5～29.99 and BMI30 kg/m 2 . Results: SBP, DBP, MBP, PP were significantly different between overweight and non-overweight group. With the increase of BMI, SBP and DBP also increased gradually. In the aged people, range of DBP increase was smaller than that of SBP, so PP increased in a continuous process and this was also not related with AGE. Conclusion: In the aged people, PP is positively related with BMI. To keep appropriately low BMI is beneficial in blood pressure control and in the prevention of blood vessel sclerosis.