The role of arterial elasticity and cardiovascular peripheral resistance as clinically relevant indices of health status in people with psychosis

Abstract

Objective Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) are higher in people with psychosis compared to the general population, but there is little research into measures of the elasticity of the arterial wall (pulse pressure; PP) and peripheral resistance (mean arterial pressure; MAP). PP and MAP can provide an additional perspective on the functioning of the circulatory system. This study investigated PP and MAP in people with psychosis, using factors known to be related to PP and MAP in the general population. Method Participants included 1421 people aged 18–64 years, from the second Australian national ..