The influence of metabolic risk factors on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in prehypertensive people

【Objective】 To investigate the association of metabolic risk factors with the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) in prehypertensive people.【Methods】 We examined 1500 prehypertensive subjects and 1500 normotensive controls from the Health Center of The Third Xiangya Hospital.baPWV was measured by VP-1000.The triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) and fasting blood sugar(FBS) were evaluated as well as blood pressure.【Results】 When compared with those in the normotensive group,the baPWV value and the incidence of metabolic risk factors in the prehypertensive group were significantly increased [(1369±161.4) cm/s vs(1262±141.7) cm/s and 63.8% vs 51.1%,respectively,P 0.001].In the prehypertensive group,the risk factor of hyperlipidemia,hyperglycemia or obesity further increased baPWV when compared with those without metabolic disorders(P 0.01).Moreover,the more metabolic risk factors coexisted,the higher baPWV was found.【Conclusion】 Prehypertensive subjects have higher risks of metabolic disturbance with increased artery stiffness than normotensive subjects.The metabolic risk factors,such as hyperglycemia,obesity and hyperlipidemia,can raise baPWV.More metabolic risk factors further boost artery stiffness.