Systolic pressure, not the diastolic pressure expresses better the relationship between age and blood pressure changes in a community sample of adults

Context: Hypertension is an important cause of the cardiovascular disease (CVD). Blood pressure (BP) elevations and the associated complications are influenced by age. Aim: To evaluate age-related variations in systolic BP, diastolic BP, and the derived pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), as well as pulse rate (PR) in a community sample of adults in Sokoto. Settings and Design: Adult individuals, predominantly non-hypertensive, non-diabetic that attended a free medical screening in a Sokoto community, Northwestern Nigeria were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Blood pressure, anthropometry, and random blood glucose were measured. Statistical Analysis Used: Database storage and analysis were carried out using IBM SPSS, version 23.0. Results: Systolic BP correlates with age increases beyond other BP parameters (standardized beta-coefficient of systolic BP = 0.4071, R-2 = 0.0933, Diastolic BP = 0.1485, R-2 = 0.0409, PP = 0.2587, R-2 = 0.0661, MAP = 0.2347, R-2 = 0.0757, PR = -0.0087, R-2 = 0.0001). The same trend was observed when age-dependent variations in the BP parameters were assessed independent of body weights (Fcrit = 2.398, F = 151.911, df = 4, P = 0.000) and independent of the steady state pressure, MAP (Fcrit = 2.637, F = 795.975, P = 0.000). However, when the population is considered by age categories of <= 50 years or >50 years separately, diastolic BP rather than the systolic BP better explain the relationship in the <= 50 years category. Conclusion: Although all the components of BP should be monitored when treating hypertension in adults, systolic BP and its derivative PP be given more attention.