Association of pulse wave velocity and intima‐media thickness with cardiovascular risk factors in young adults

Abstract

Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness, and intima‐media thickening (IMT), a measure of early atherosclerosis, are intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease which are predictive of cardiovascular events. Traditionally, both were thought to result from accumulative exposure to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. However, their association with risk factors in young adults in low‐income settings is unknown. We sought to investigate the association between PWV and IMT with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents Study cohort from Southern India. Male and female adults (N = 1440) aged between 20 and 24 years underwent measures of PWV and IMT. Exposure variables included smoking, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐cholesterol), and triglycerides. Association between outcome and exposure variables was assessed using linear regression analysis. Average values for PWV and IMT were 5.9 ± 0.6 m/s and 0.5 ± 0.1 mm. In univariable analysis, PWV associated with MAP, BMI, smoking, total cholesterol, glucose, and HOMA‐IR and IMT associated with MAP, BMI, tobacco use, and HDL‐cholesterol. In multivariable analysis, PWV remained strongly positively associated with MAP increasing by 0.5 m/s (P < .001) for a 10 mm Hg increase in MAP (R2 = .37). In contrast, IMT negatively associated with HDL‐cholesterol (β = −.10; P = .012, R2 = .02). There was weak evidence that PWV and IMT positively associated with BMI. In young adults from Southern India, PWV positively associated with blood pressure and IMT negatively associated with HDL‐cholesterol. This suggests separate etiologies for atherosclerosis and arterial stiffening in young adults.

Cumulative Inflammation and HbA1c Levels Correlate with Increased Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa

“…Despite its strengths, IMT might be inaccurate in some cases, given its operatordependent nature [46], although this weakness can be overcome by the use of specific software, such as the one used in the present study, to assist in the measurement process. Moreover, the process of imaging and obtaining the thickness can be time consuming, and there is a lack of standardized normal values, especially in patients with no other cardiovascular risk factors [47]. In this regard, the combination of IMT with other techniques may be of interest.…”

Helicobacter pylori infection and the progression of atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

“…12 Arterial stiffness is closely related to AS and can accelerate the formation of AS. 13 Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is one of the most widely used indicators to measure arterial stiffness, 14 and arterial stiffness measurement is also one of the ideal methods for the lateral diagnosis of AS. 15 In conclusion, CIMT, FMD, and PWV can help us effectively diagnose AS and prepare for early active intervention.…”

Long-Term Adiposity and Midlife Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Are Linked Partly Through Intermediate Risk Factors

“…1–4 Extensive data have established a strong association between cIMT and traditional C-V risk factors, including adverse levels of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, lipoproteins, and glucose. 5–9…”

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that obesity is one of the major predictors of cIMT. 5–9 Obesity is associated with high cIMT even in children and predicts increased adult cIMT. 10–14 Moreover, obesity is also an independent predictor of other C-V risk factors.…”