Pharmacological potential for reversing the ill effects of ageing and of arterial hypertension on central aortic systolic pressure.

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: Systolic arterial pressure is an important risk factor for future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. PULSATILE LOAD: The aortic systolic pressure with which the heart interacts is determined by pulsatile vascular load. In particular, wave reflections from peripheral sites affect peak central aortic systolic pressure but not brachial systolic pressure. DRUG POTENTIAL: Drugs that reduce wave reflection and hence reduce the pulsatile vascular load in addition to reducing peripheral resistance have the potential to reduce target organ damage to a greater extent than drugs that reduce mean pressure and resistance alone.