Systolic inter-arm blood pressure difference and subclinical atherosclerosis: a population-based cohort study of 29 921 individuals
Abstract
Inter-arm blood pressure differences (IABPDs) can be caused by atherosclerosis. We investigated 29 921 men and women aged 50–64 years from the nationwide population-based Swedish CArdio Pulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) to evaluate if IABPD is related to risk factors for atherosclerosis and can be used as a marker of atherosclerosis as evaluated by coronary artery calcium score, arterial segment involvement score on computed tomography, carotid ultrasound, and ankle-brachial index (ABI). The overall prevalence of systolic IABPD at least 10 mmHg was 2110/29 921 (7.1%). Individuals with IABPD at least 10 mmHg were significantly (P < 0.001) older, more often women, had higher BMI, nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, SBP and DBPs, and were more likely to have diabetes. In unadjusted analyses, IABPD at least 10 mmHg was associated with presence of coronary atherosclerosis, with more carotid arteries with plaque, and with pathological ABI. These associations were largely attenuated after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic BP, smoking, diabetes, and the use of BP lowering drugs). Only ABI retained significance after these adjustments. In conclusion, a systolic IABPD of at least 10 mmHg in middle aged men and women is common in the general population, and can be used as a screening tool for subclinical atherosclerotic changes in coronary, carotid, and lower extremity arteries. However, these…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 29 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tobacco and COPD: presenting the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Knowledge Summary
- Comparative effects of e-cigarette smoking on periodontal status, salivary pH, and cotinine levels
- Association between exposure to environmental pollutants and increased oral health risks, a comprehensive review
- Influence of gestational window on offspring vascular health in rodents with in utero exposure to electronic cigarettes
- Natural products as kinase inhibitors in lung cancer: molecular mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and clinical trials
- Nicotine in electronic cigarettes
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.