An increasing of arterial stiffness is the path physiological characteristic of hypertension. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new index of arterial stiffness. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between CAVI and plasma lipids in hypertension subjects. A total of 542 subjects (male/female 336/206) from the Department of Vascular Medicine were divided into two groups: healthy group (n=402) and hypertension group (n=140). CAVI was measured with VS-1000 apparatus. Our results showed that the levels of CAVI, body mass index (BMI), fast blood glucose (FBG), uric acid (UA) and triglycerides (TGs) were significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the control group (all P<0.01). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower in the hypertension group than in the control group (P<0.001). CAVI was positively correlated with FBG, UA, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and TG in the entire study group. Negative correlation between CAVI and HDL-C was found in the entire group even after adjusting for age, gender and blood pressure. In addition, there was negative correlation between CAVI and HDL-C in the control group. However, there was negative relational tendency between CAVI and HDL-C in hypertension subjects without significant difference. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, BMI, FBG, TG and heart rate were independent associating factors of CAVI in all subjects. Age, FBG and Cr were independent associating factors of CAVI in the hypertension group. Our present study showed that CAVI was significantly higher in hypertension subjects, and metabolic accompaniments might involve the increasing of arterial stiffness in hypertension patients.

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