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A large-scale study on relationship between cerebral blood flow velocity and blood pressure in a natural population

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 742–748 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

In order to verify the relationship between blood pressure and cerebral blood flow velocity in sub-clinical natural population, 1294 middle-aged and old Beijing rural residents were investigated in autumn 2002. For all subjects, systolic blood flow velocities (Vs) in common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were detected with trans-cranial Doppler. Key factors such as anthropometry, medication use, blood pressure and blood biochemical analysis were investigated at the same time. After controlling for age, gender, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and body mass index, multivariate analysis showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) correlated positively with Vs at MCA and slight negatively correlated with at CCA. As blood pressure rose by 10 mm Hg, the Vs at MCA increased by 1.63 cm/s. Duration of hypertension (HD) negatively correlated with Vs at MCA (P<0.01). The Vs at MCA in early-stage and chronic hypertensive patients were 92.9±1.9 and 84.1±2.3 cm/s, respectively. Antihypertensive treatment could modify the Vs at MCA towards a normal level by lowering blood pressure. In conclusion, the effect of hypertension on cerebral blood flow is complex. Vs at MCA positively correlated with SBP, but negatively related to HD. Antihypertensive treatment might be helpful to keep cerebral blood flow at a normal level.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Gaoqiang Xie, Linfeng Zhang, Bailing Chen, Yao Li, Xiuzhi Tian, Guo Min, Chen Xu and Ye Tian of Fu Wai Cardiovascular Disease Hospital for their attendance at field investigation, including questionnaire inquiring, medical examination and laboratory test. Especially, we want to express our appreciation to Bo Wang and Fang Cao of Peking Union Hospital, who took part in trans-cranial Doppler ultrasound measurement in the 1-month field investigation in autumn, 2002.

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  1. P Zhang

    Present address: Institute of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100013, China

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

    P Zhang, Y Li, M Lu & Y Wu

  2. Department of Neurology, First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China

    Y Huang

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Correspondence to Y Wu.

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Zhang, P., Huang, Y., Li, Y. et al. A large-scale study on relationship between cerebral blood flow velocity and blood pressure in a natural population. J Hum Hypertens 20, 742–748 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002068

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