HypertensionCohort study
Sex-specific associations between blood pressure in early midlife and arterial stiffness 27 years later: the Hordaland Health Study
- Prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
In the Hordaland health study, having elevated BP or hypertension in early midlife were associated with increased arterial stiffness 27 years later in women, but not in men.
Study context
- Population
- Women and men, mean age 42 years at baseline, Hordaland Health Study1,127 women · 938 men
- Exposure
- Elevated blood pressure (BP) or hypertension vs non-elevated BP in early midlife, by sex
- Outcome
- Increased arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity > 10 m/s)
- Follow-up
- 27 years later
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Increased arterial stiffness, by sex · 27 years
Each group vs non-elevated BPOdds ratio (95% CI)
Elevated BPwomen
2.78(1.74–4.42)
Hypertensionwomen
4.62(2.48–8.58)
Elevated BPmen
1.10(0.58–2.10)
Hypertensionmen
1.33(0.67–2.66)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Increased arterial stiffness at follow-up, by sex
P < 0.001
BP category at baseline, by sex
- Elevated BP: women vs men
- 62% vs 67%
- Hypertension: women vs men (P < 0.001)
- 9% vs 26%
Original publication
Sex-specific associations between blood pressure in early midlife and arterial stiffness 27 years later: the Hordaland Health Study. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 28 June 2025. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf379
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it