查看文章

Objective

To our knowledge, only two previous studies have investigated the age dependence of the relationship between the characteristics of large arteries and excessive body weight. We therefore investigated whether the relationship between arterial stiffness and body mass index (BMI) was consistent across an age range from 10 to 86 years.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional population-based design, we randomly recruited 1306 individuals (median age 43.9 years; 50.5% women). Using a wall-tracking ultrasound system, we measured the properties of the carotid, femoral and brachial arteries and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity. We analysed men and women separately while adjusting for significant covariates, including age, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, current smoking, alcohol intake and use of antihypertensive drugs.

Results

Before and after adjustment, arterial diameter increased with BMI in all …