RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the change in the distensibility of large arteries and its influencing factors in elderly patients with essential hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Automatic measuring system for pulse wave velocity (PWV) was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV as an index reflecting distensibility of large arteries. 118 hypertensive patients aged 64 - 83 (mean age 67.12 +/- 10.26) years were included in the study. Of them, 87 were males and 31 were females.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PWV of 118 hypertensive patients increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). Multivariate regressive analysis demonstrated that age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with PWV (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypertension of the elderly could cause reduction of distensibility of large arteries. Age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with distensibility of large arteries in elderly patients with essential hypertension.</p>