Elevated Blood Pressure Is Associated with Peripheral Artery Disease

We assume that elevated blood pressure (BP) is associated with excess risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), and PAD is associated with excess risk for adverse vascular events (e.g., ischemic heart disease, stroke). In this cohort study of 4.2 million adults (age range, 30–90), researchers quantified these associations.

At baseline, ≈18,000 participants had PAD. Among those without PAD at baseline, 1% developed PAD and 12% experienced non-PAD adverse vascular events during a median follow-up of 7 years. Each 20 mm Hg rise in systolic BP and each 10 mm Hg rise in diastolic BP were associated with 63% and 35% higher risks for PAD, respectively. The strengths of these associations declined with increasing age and body-mass index. Sex and smo…