[Brachial versus central blood pressure and vascular stiffness]. / Brakialt versus centralt blodtryk og karstivhed.

ABSTRACT

Central blood pressure (BP) estimates the true load imposed on the left ventricle to a higher degree than does brachial BP. Increased aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and central BP are risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Both can be measured by simple and noninvasive methods. Guidelines recommend measurements of aPWV for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. However, the availability of the method is limited. Intervention studies showing a reduction of aPWV and indices of central BP are independently associated with fewer cardiovascular events are required as normal reference values are still lacking.