Objective:To explore the relationship between pulse wave velocity(PWV)and blood pressure classification in patients with hypertension in pretherapy and posttherapy.Methods:Totally

183 patients with essential hypertension were recruited in the study and their brachial-ankle PWVs were recorded by an automatic arterial stiffness measurement device.PWVs were compared between patients with varied blood pressures in pretherapy and posttherapy.Results:There was significant diference in PWV between patients with pretherapy and posttherapy[(2 080±26)cm/s vs(1 604±32)cm/s

P<0.001];PWV in patients of phase 2 and phase 3 hypertension had significant diference to that of phase 1[(1 765±87)cm/s vs(1 474±58)cm/s

P=0.016;(1 757±93)cm/s vs(1 474±58)cm/s

P=0.027]

PWV in patients between phase 2 and phase 3 had no significant diference [(1 765±87)cm/s vs(1 757±93)cm/s

P=0.938].PWV in patients with the blood pressure which was higher than 145/90mmHg in posttherapy was significantly higher than the lower pressure group[(2 088±64)cm/s vs(1 496±32)cm/s

P<0.000 1].Conclusions:Aterial stiffness in hypertensive patients in pretherapy was significantly higher than that in posttherapy

when blood pressure was degradede lower than 145/90mmHg

the elasticity of arterial was improved obviously.