Pulse pressure correlates with coronary artery calcification and risk for coronary heart disease: a study of elderly individuals in the rural region of Southwest China

AIM: This study aimed to define the relationship between pulse pressure (PP) and coronary artery calcification (CAC), a proven surrogate marker for coronary heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 170 participants 50–70 years of age from 11 villages of Yunnan Province of China were enrolled randomly into this study. They were examined routinely for diastolic and systolic blood pressure, PP, and CAC. RESULTS: The average PP in the CAC-positive group was significantly higher than that in the CAC-negative group. In the positive CAC group, there were significantly positive correlations between PP and CAC score, volume, mass, as well as density. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that PP performed well in predicting CAC. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, among the rural people of southwest of China, PP correlates positively with the coronary calcium Agatston score, volume, mass, and density. PP predicted CAC as well as Framingham Risk Score. The measurement of PP widening may serve as an alternative and convenient method for assessing CAC risk in rural populations with poor accessibility and economic disadvantage over coronary computed tomography scanning.