[Prediction of cardiovascular disease on the basis of blood pressure measurements more reliable with systolic than with diastolic measurement].

OBJECTIVE

To find an answer in the literature to the question of which blood pressure parameter (systolic, diastolic or pulse pressure) best predicts cardiovascular disease and whether the magnitude of the association of the parameter varies with age.

DESIGN

Structured literature review.

METHOD

Pubmed was searched for prospective cohort studies concerning the predictive power of two or more blood-pressure components (in particular pulse pressure).

RESULTS

Seven relevant articles were found. Systolic blood pressure was found to be a powerful predictor for cardiovascular disease at every age, while pulse pressure was found to be the weakest predictor. The predictive power of diastolic pressure was intermediate, and decreased with age whereas that of pulse pressure increased with age.

CONCLUSION

Systolic blood pressure was the best predictor for cardiovascular disease, whereas the role of diastolic pressure appeared to be limited.