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Arterial distensibility in adolescence tied to CV risk factors
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Risk factors such as BP, BMI, LDL and insulin resistance were linked to arterial distensibility in adolescence, according to a study published in Hypertension.
Hanna Mikola, MD, a doctoral candidate at the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Turku in Finland, and colleagues assessed data from the STRIP cohort, which followed more than 1,000 children for 27 years. Carotid and aortic distensibility were evaluated regularly with ultrasonography in participants at age 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 years.
Other assessments, including physical examinations, BP, blood samples, food consumption, physical activity and serum cholesterol concentrations, were completed periodically.
Researchers examined measurements from 57 individuals twice within 3 months apart to assess reproducibility.
Carotid distensibility was independently linked to systolic BP (P = .0001), BMI (P = .037), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (P = .0071) and LDL (P = .034).
Aortic distensibility was independently associated with LDL (P = .031) and systolic BP (P < .0001). Physical activity and dietary variables were not associated with aortic distensibility, although dietary sodium intake was inversely associated with the condition.
Those with low arterial distensibility were more likely to have higher systolic BP (P < .0001 for carotid and arterial distensibility), diastolic BP (P < .0001 for carotid distensibility; P = .0002 for arterial distensibility) and BMI (P = .009 for carotid distensibility; P = .098 for arterial distensibility) at early childhood.
“Our results give evidence for the primordial prevention efforts aiming to reduce cardiometabolic risk factor exposure early in life to decrease the risk of deleterious vascular effects,” Mikola and colleagues wrote. – by Darlene Dobkowski
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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