Changes in Ankle Brachial Pulse Wave Velocity during a Five-Year Follow-up Period in Older Japanese Adults: Sub-analysis Results of the Health Research Volunteer Study in Japan

Abstract

Objective Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness. However, precisely how aging, hypertension and other factors influence this in progressively stiffening large arteries, especially in older adults, remains uncertain. We examined changes in arterial stiffness in a population of active older Japanese adults using a five-year follow-up cohort study. Methods Comprehensive geriatric assessments were performed in socially active adults over the age of 70 years at The Life Planning Center Clinic in Tokyo. Clinically acceptable baPWV measurements at baseline and at the end of the study were obtained in 257 individuals (115 men, baseline mean age of 78±4 years; 142 women, baseline mean age of 77±4 years) classified into four groups based on the use of antihypertensive interventions at the end of the study: Group 1 (112 normotensives), Group 2 (49 hypertensives without medication use), Group 3 (39 hypertensives with medication use initiated during the follow-up period) and Group 4 (57 hypertensives receiving medications throughout the follow-up period). Results During the follow-up period, Group 1 exhibited no changes in blood pressure with increases in baPWV. Group 2 exhibited increases in blood pressure and baPWV. Both Groups 3 and 4 exhibited decreases in blood pressure without any changes in baPWV. Other factors such as age, gender and the hemoglobin level could also have influenced baPWV. Conclusion Arterial stiffness increases with aging; however, antihypertensive medications were found to provide protective effects against the development of arterial stiffness during a five-year follow-up period. Other factors that modify baPWV were also identified.

Cardiac, Macro-, and Micro-Circulatory Abnormalities in Association With Individual Metabolic Syndrome Component: The Northern Shanghai Study

“…PWV has been shown to reflect arterial stiffness and is a useful marker of both the severity of macro-circulatory abnormality and the prognosis of CVD in elderly individuals (34,35). Previous studies have also shown an association between increased PWV in individuals with MS (8,36,37).…”

Factors associated with high brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity in non-hypertensive and appropriately treated hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic risk factors

“…As a result, even if hypertension is controlled for a certain period after its onset, it follows that the baPWV of such patients gets higher than it does in patients whose BP is maintained at normal levels. 56 The baPWV also shows individual differences, even in the pediatric population. 21 , 57 – 60 Tomiyama et al described reference values for baPWV in healthy Japanese adults without atherosclerotic risk factors.…”

Using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to screen for metabolic syndrome in community populations

“…Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a promising yet relatively simple test that measures the stiffness of both aortic and peripheral arteries 1 2 and a number of research groups propose using this technique to detect subclinical atherosclerotic changes. Many studies have demonstrated its reproducibility and validity 3 4 5 , with some investigators advocating that baPWV is not only an ideal marker for vascular damage 6 7 but also a valuable predictor to the mortality resulted from cardiovascular diseases 8 . Due to the non-invasive nature and simplicity in performing all the measurements, baPWV has a potential screening value for vascular injuries in community populations.…”