Metabolic syndrome shown to be an independent predictor of arterial stiffness

Metabolic syndrome has been linked to arterial stiffness and cardiovascular disease. It is not established whether this association relates to the syndrome itself or to the sum of its cardiovascular components. A total of 401 Finnish men and women aged =45 years were included in this study aimed to examine the independent influences of metabolic syndrome, its components, and other cardiovascular risk factors on arterial stiffness. As a marker of elevated arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured by whole-body impedance cardiography was used. According to the results, the two definitions of the metabolic syndrome used in this research – National Cholesterol Education Program and International Diabetes Federation – did not differ in their ability to identify subjects with increased arterial stiffness. Multivariate analysis revealed that the metabolic syndrome was independently associated with increased arterial stiffness independently of other known cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, systolic blood pressure, age, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose increased arterial stiffness independently of other known cardiovascular risk factors.

Abstract