Introduction: Mechanisms underlying the inverse relationship between height and cardiovascular mortality are unknown, but could be related to central haemodynamics. This study aimed to determine the relation of height to central and peripheral haemodynamics.

Methods: Study population comprised 1161 randomly selected community-dwelling adults (aged 67.7±12.3; 48% male). Brachial BP was recorded by sphygmomanometry, central BP and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were estimated by applanation tonometry. Stepwise multiple regression analysis (corrected for multiple covariates related to cardiovascular risk) was used to determine independent predictors of central and peripheral haemodynamics.

Results. Results from the multiregression analysis of gender-specific associations with height are presented in the table. Height was not significantly associated with aortic PWV in men or women. Height was (borderline) associated with brachial SBP in women (r=0.27 p=0.051), but not in men (r=0.19 p=0.087). Conversely, central SBP, augmentation index (AIx) at 75 bpm and time of reflected wave (T_R) were independently associated with height in both men and women. Moreover, both men and women of above median height were less likely to be taking vasoactive medication (38% vs 56%; p<0.001) or have hypertension (40% vs 53%; p=0.002) compared to participants of below median height.

Conclusions. After correcting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, taller individuals have more favourable central haemodynamics and reduced prevalence of hypertension and antihypertensive therapy compared with shorter men and women. These findings may help explain the decreased cardiovascular risk associated with being taller and have important clinical consequences regarding therapy.