Gait Performance in Hypertensive Patients on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Objective To examine the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use and gait performance in older adults. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Community. Participants A total of 281 community-dwelling older adults with hypertension enrolled in an aging study. Measurements Quantitative variables used to define gait performance included velocity (cm/s), stride length (cm), swing time (s), stride length variability (SD), and swing time variability (SD). Results There were 72 hypertensive participants on ACEIs and 209 were on other antihypertensive medications. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and potential confounders revealed that hypertensive participants on an ACEI walked 7.29 cm/s slower (P = .016) and stride length was 6.86 cm shorter (P = .006) compared with those not on ACEIs. There were no significant differences on the other gait variables examined. Conclusion ACEI use was associated with worse gait performance in elderly hypertensives. Biological mechanisms need to be explored, and clinicians should consider monitoring gait speed in hypertensive patients on ACEIs.