Pulse Wave Velocity Associated with Metabolic Syndrome Component in the Elderly: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used for noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness. PWV predicts atherosclerosis in the elderly. The metabolic syndrome (MS) components are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the relationship between PWV and MS components. Thirty-Six elderly subjects with an average age of 64.33 ± 4.45 years had at least one of the metabolic syndrome components (1 component; 52.78 %, 2 components; 30.55 %, 3 components; 11.11 %, 4 components; 2.78 % and 5 components; 2.78 %). The PWV showed a positive correlation with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.33, p = 0.04). Elevated fasting blood glucose seems to associate with arterial stiffness, due to insulin resistance. Hence, the elderly person should maintain a healthy lifestyle modification that impact of reducing cardiovascular disease mortality.