Estimation of pulse pressure in subjects with metabolic syndrome

The occurrence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) increases the cardiovascular risk in comparison with healthy subjects. The pulse pressure (pp) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pulse pressure in subjects with MS accompanied or not by cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods. The study comprised 104 subjects with MS aged 48.65 +/- 7.89 years--group I; 477 clinically healthy subjects aged 45.75 +/- 4.68 years--group II; 137 subjects with MS accompanied by cardiovascular diseases aged 60.05 +/- 12.77 years--group III; 94 subjects with cardiovascular diseases without MS aged 57.80 +/- 9.67 years--group IV. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of NCEP ATP III criteria. Increased value of pulse pressure (pp) was above 63 mmHg.Increased values of pp (> 63 mmHg) were found in 20.2% subjects with MS--group I, in 7.1% clinically healthy subjects--group II, in 40.88% subjects with MS accompanied by cardiovascular diseases and in 36.17% subjects with cardiovascular diseases without MS.Pulse pressure is simple and helpful method in assessment of vascular changes and cardiovascular risk in subjects with MS. In subjects with cardiovascular diseases with and without MS, increased values of pulse pressure are found in similar percentage of cases.