Journal article
Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability and Physical Performance in Older Adults
The journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), Vol.27(9), e70139
09/2025
DOI: 10.1111/jch.70139
PMCID: PMC12442049
PMID: 40960215
Abstract
High variability in long-term blood pressure (BPV) independently predicts cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Increased BPV and declining physical performance may share mechanistic pathways. However, associations of BPV with gait speed and grip strength have not been examined. We completed a gender-stratified analysis of 16 692 participants enrolled in ASPREE/ASPREE-XT. Systolic and diastolic BPV were estimated from baseline-year 2 (Y2); gait speed/grip strength were assessed every 1-2 years following this period. Linear mixed models examined gait speed/grip strength trajectories over a median of 7.3 years of follow-up after Y2. Following adjustment, men with SBPV in tertile 3 (T3) versus T1 had slower gait speed at Y2 (0.021 m/s slower) and greater declines in gait speed (0.003 m/s greater decline/year, p < 0.001). Women with SBPV in T3 versus T1 had slower gait speed at Y2 (0.018 m/s slower), but similar rates of gait speed decline. Men with higher SBPV had weaker grip strength at Y2 (0.994 kg weaker for BPV T3 vs. T1) and greater declines in grip strength (0.016 kg greater decline/year/5 mmHg increase in BPV, p = 0.006). Women with BPV in T3 versus T1 had 0.486 kg weaker grip strength at Y2, but similar rates of grip strength decline. Associations of DBPV and SBPV with gait speed/grip strength were largely consistent. In summary, we found that higher BPV was independently associated with slower gait speed and weaker grip strength cross-sectionally in men and women, but only associated with trajectories of gait speed and grip strength in men. Future studies should examine high BPV as a target to preserve physical performance. Trial Registration: ISRCTN number: ISRCTN83772183; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01038583.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability and Physical Performance in Older Adults
- Creators
- Kerry M Sheets - Hennepin Healthcare Research InstituteKatherine L Webb - Monash UniversityRobyn L Woods - Monash UniversitySuzanne G Orchard - Monash UniversityLawrence Beilin - The University of Western AustraliaMichelle A Fravel - University of IowaChristopher M Reid - Monash UniversityKevan R Polkinghorne - Monash UniversityRory Wolfe - Monash UniversityZhen Zhou - Monash UniversityJoanne Ryan - Monash UniversityAnne M Murray - University of MinnesotaMichael E Ernst - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), Vol.27(9), e70139
- DOI
- 10.1111/jch.70139
- PMID
- 40960215
- PMCID
- PMC12442049
- NLM abbreviation
- J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich)
- ISSN
- 1751-7176
- eISSN
- 1751-7176
- Publisher
- WILEY
- Grant note
- U19AG062682 / National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health U01AG029824 / National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health 334047 / National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Victorian Cancer Agency 1127060 / National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Monash University
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2025
- Academic Unit
- Family and Community Medicine; Pharmacy Practice and Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984963628102771
Metrics
11 Record Views