The Temporal Pattern of Arterial Stiffness during Aging: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a noninvasive clinical test that provides quantification for the stiffness of both the aorta and peripheral arteries by measuring the brachial and tibial arterial wave velocities. The temporal pattern of baPWV values during aging was investigated in this paper. A gradual increase in baPWV with respect to age was observed, suggesting an increase in the stiffness of arterial vessels as age increases. The ΔbaPWV value, defined as the absolute value of the difference between bilateral baPWV, also showed a positive correlation with aging. Many underlying physiological conditions such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperglycemia have previously been shown to elevate baPWV and contribute to the decline of arterial function. The effect of factors including biological sex, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels on the baPWV temporal pattern were also investigated. Between the ages of 18 and 50, men in the study had significantly higher baPWV readings than females of comparable age on average. However, after the age of 50, mean baPWV values increased at a greater rate in females than in males. In addition, blood pressure and blood glucose were shown to be associated with baPWV values. The results will improve existing prediction models for future cardiovascular episodes induced by arterial hardening in different age groups.

Sex differences in the risk of arterial stiffness among adults with different glycemic status and modifications by age

“…It is putative that the development of arterial stiffness during aging might vary between sexes and findings from previous studies are controversial. Some studies reported that arterial stiffness developed similarly with aging in both sexes, 21 and others demonstrated that aging affected arterial stiffness differently in men vs women and seemed to be more detrimental in women 19,20,37 . Findings from the current study revealed that ba‐PWV was higher in men vs women until approximately 60 years of age, after which ba‐PWV was lower in men vs women.…”

“…Some studies reported that arterial stiffness developed similarly with aging in both sexes, 21 and others demonstrated that aging affected arterial stiffness differently in men vs women and seemed to be more detrimental in women. 19,20,37 Findings from the current study revealed that ba-PWV was higher in men vs women until approximately 60 years of age, after which ba-PWV was lower in men vs women. Therefore, aging has to be considered when sex difference in arterial stiffness was examined.…”

Influence of baseline arterial stiffness on effects of intensive compared with standard blood pressure control: a post hoc analysis of the STEP trial

“…With aging, large elastic arteries such as the aorta become stiffer, and this is accompanied by histological and biochemical changes of the arterial wall [ 27 ]. Vascular stiffness is linearly related to age in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects [ 28 ]. Given that AS is common in the elderly population [ 28 ], the balance of risks and benefits from intensive SBP treatment should be carefully evaluated according to the AS status of these patients.…”

“…Vascular stiffness is linearly related to age in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects [ 28 ]. Given that AS is common in the elderly population [ 28 ], the balance of risks and benefits from intensive SBP treatment should be carefully evaluated according to the AS status of these patients. Previous analyses of the SPRINT trial have shown that intensive treatment significantly attenuates increases in the cfPWV and aortic elastance index, suggesting that attenuating AS progression might be one of the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular benefit obtained from intensive SBP intervention [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Temporal Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness and Systolic Blood Pressure Under Intensive or Standard Control: A Post Hoc Analysis of the STEP Trial

“…However, the residual risk of CVD in patients with controlled hypertension remains higher than the risk in those with no history of hypertension. 14 Moreover, arterial stiffening is worse in elderly individuals, 15 who are more likely than their younger counterparts to have hypertension that is resistant to treatment. 16 Cardoso et al 17 found that the cardiovascular prognosis was worse in patients with an increased or persistently high carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity than in those with a decreased or persistently low carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, indicating that reduction in aortic stiffness could be pursued as a therapeutic target in the clinical setting.…”