Background In the population of elderly people the cardiovascular risk is increased, especially when obesity and hypertension coexist. In this patients group the isolated systolic hypertension is prevalent form of hypertension and it is the result of decreased compliance of aortic wall. Obesity affect negatively arterial compliance. This effect is shown in elderly patients. The influence of weight reduction on elastic properties of aorta is unclear.
Material and methods 52 patients with essential hypertension aged over 65 years were divided into 2 subgroups according to BMI and WHR: overweight and obese (with central obesity). The body mass index, waist to hip ratio and pulse wave velocity were measured before and after 6 months during reduction body mass program which included weight reducing diet and increased physical activity.
Results The pulse wave velocity were significantly higher in the subgroup with obesity in comparison with overweight subgroup. After 6 months during body mass reduction program there were 51% overweight and 56% obese patients who reached expected weight loss (9%). Significant decrease of pulse wave velocity occured only in obese subgroup and this effect was independent of body mass reduction degree. No relationship was found between pulse wave velocity and body mass reduction neither in the overweight subgroup nor in this part of obese subgroup which didn’t reduce body weight.
Conclusions 1. Reduction of body mass improve aortic compliance in obese hypertensive elderly people. 2. In the overweight hypertensives there is no relationship between body weight loss and elastic properties of aorta.