RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BLOOD-PRESSURE COMPONENTS, LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN NORMOTENSIVE MEN

The aim of this study is to assess the relationships between pulse pre ssure (PP) mean arterial pressure (MAP), clinical and lipid parameters in normotensive men, One hundred and twenty-seven normotensive men ag ed 35-64 years from the French department of Haute-Garonne were analys ed, Blood pressure (BP) was measured using a random zero device, Corre lation analysis was performed using Pearson's coefficient, Variables s ignificantly related to PP and MAP were then introduced in a stepwise multiple regression analysis. On univariate analysis, PP was significa ntly and positively related to total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL-cholesterol and apo B. MAP was positively related to age, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol. Stepwise multip le regression analysis showed only apo B to be independently related t o PP after adjustment for MAP, Also, after adjustment for PP, only BMI and VLDL-cholesterol were related to MAP, Hence, MAP is related to BM I and VLDL-cholesterol, which are a common feature of hyperinsulinism, PP is linked to apo B, an important proatherogenic factor, These biol ogical parameters appear specific of steady and pulsatile components o f BP, The relationship between PP and apo B suggests a possible link b etween lipids and arterial stiffness, and may partly explain the progn ostic value of PP in myocardial infarction.