Reference values for clinic pulse pressure in a nonselected population

A wide pulse pressure (PP) may constitute an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We assessed the reference values of brachial clinic PP, according to age and gender in a nonselected population (61,724 subjects) who were undergoing a routine systematic health examination. According to mean values, 50 mm Hg is likely the reference value for clinic PP in both men and women. Diagnostic thresholds for clinic PP (greater than or equal to 65 mil Hg) determined either by adding 2 SD to the means or from the 95th percentiles are in close agreement with clinic PP values previously reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. (C) 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.