Blood pressure and arterial compliance in young adults: The Minnesota Children's Blood Pressure Study

The aim of this study was to assess the relation between blood pressure (BP ) and arterial compliance in a healthy sample of young adults. School child ren (aged 10 to 14 years at entry) were surveyed in 1977 to 1978, and 1207 were followed once to twice yearly until age 23 years. Arterial compliance was measured in 179 adults at the last follow-up visit. The sample included individuals in the upper tertile of systolic BP during the last three foll ow-up visits and race- and sex-matched individuals in the lower two tertile s. We obtained radial artery waveforms using a calibrated tonometer device and characterized waveform morphology to determine large artery (C-1) and o scillatory (C-2) compliance. Blood pressure was measured using random zero sphygmomanometers. The mean and standard deviation of C-1 was 2.13 +/- 0.59 mL/mm Hg and of C-2 was 0.083 +/- 0.02 mL/mm Hg. Systolic BP was inversely related to C-1 (P < .001) and C-2 (P < .01) after adjustment for gender, h eight, weight, insulin, and HDL and LDL cholesterol. After adjustment, a 1 SD change in systolic BP was associated with a -0.30 mL/mm Hg change in C-1 and a -.008 mL/mm Hg change in C-2. Data from the Minnesota Children's Blo od Pressure Study indicate that systolic BP is inversely related to arteria l compliance, particularly C-1 (the large artery, or capacitive compliance) . (C) 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.