1. We studied the effects of aging on the variability of blood pressure in mild to moderate essential hypertensive subjects.
2. Cardiac index was greater and total peripheral resistance index was less in patients under 40 years (by an average of 1.06 litres min−1 m−2 and 9.23 mmHg 1−1 min−1 m−2) than in those over 40 respectively (P < 0.001 for each).
3. Pulse pressure/stroke volume was less by an average of 0.345 mmHg/ml in patients under 40 years than that in those over 40 (P < 0.001). Pulse pressure/stroke volume was correlated with age (r = 0.621), average systolic blood pressure (r = 0.623) and inversely with baroreflex sensitivity (r = −0.494).
4. Baroreflex sensitivity was less by an average of 3.1 ms/mmHg in patients over 30 years than in those under 30 (P < 0.025). Baroreflex sensitivity was inversely correlated with age (r = −0.617) and average systolic blood pressure (r = −0.589).
5. Beat by beat variability of systolic blood pressure was correlated with age (r = 0.460), particularly when the data of those in their twenties were excluded (r = 0.618), and significantly with pulse pressure/stroke volume (r = 0.650), average systolic blood pressure (r = 0.618) and inversely with baroreflex sensitivity (r = −0.477). These relationships were not observed for diastolic blood pressure.
6. Maximum difference in systolic blood pressure in a day was correlated with pulse pressure/stroke volume (r = 0.482) and average systolic blood pressure (r = 0.648) but not with baroreflex sensitivity. These relationships were not observed for diastolic blood pressure.
7. Variability of systolic blood pressure in patients over 30 years gradually increased with age. In contrast, those of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in subjects in their twenties were relatively large. This might be related to factors other than aging, presumably those which underlie the hyperdynamic circulatory state.
