An analysis of prospective risk factors for aortic stiffness in men 20 year follow-up from the caerphilly prospective study

Carmel M. Mc Eniery, Michael Spratt, Margaret Munnery, John Yarnell, Gordon D. Lowe, Ann Rumley, John Gallacher, Yoav Ben-Shlomo, John R. Cockcroft, Ian B. Wilkinson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

184 Citations (Scopus)
176 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Arterial stiffness is an important determinant of cardiovascular risk. The precise risk factors for arterial stiffening remain unclear. We aimed to identify potential risk factors using prospective exposure data from the Caerphilly Prospective Study. Aortic pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were measured in 825 men and related to current (2004) and baseline (1979–1988) anthropometric, hemodynamic, and biochemical factors. The mean age of the men was 74 years, with an average follow-up of 20 years. The only independent baseline predictors of current velocity were pulse pressure (standardized β-coefficient: 0.58), C-reactive protein (0.35), glucose (0.25), and waist circumference (0.23). The sole baseline predictor of current augmentation index was fibrinogen (0.78). After additional adjustment for the corresponding current risk factor, pulse wave velocity was best related to cumulative exposure to C-reactive protein, whereas augmentation index was most strongly related to current levels. Velocity was also more strongly correlated with baseline levels of triglycerides and smoking but with current waist circumference. The pulse pressure heart rate product assessed over the whole of 20 years was independently correlated with aortic pulse wave velocity but not augmentation index. Other than blood pressure, established cardiovascular risk factors have only a modest effect on aortic stiffness and wave reflection. Inflammation and the level of repetitive cyclic stress are important predictors of aortic stiffness, whereas wave reflection is predicted by acute inflammation only. Adequate control of pulse pressure and heart rate, as well as reducing inflammation, may, in the long-term, retard aortic stiffening, although this remains to be tested directly.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)36-43
Number of pages8
JournalHypertension
Volume56
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 07 Jul 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An analysis of prospective risk factors for aortic stiffness in men 20 year follow-up from the caerphilly prospective study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this