Relationship between vascular age and classic cardiovascular risk factors and arterial stiffness

Background: We aimed at establishing if the substitution of vascular age (VA) for chronological age (CA) causes a change in the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) categories. Sex differences in predictors of increased VA among cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and arterial stiffness (AS) parameters were identified. Methods: In 187 asymptomatic subjects with CV risk factors, classified into 3 FRS categories the VA was derived from the nomograms of the carotid intima-media thickness. Two groups: 1 - subjects whose VA has exceeded CA for at least 5 years and 2 - others were established. Carotid AS parameters were obtained from echo-tracking. Results: Substitution of VA for CA changed the FRS category into the higher one in 11.8% of subjects. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the predictor of increased VA in both sexes, while metabolic syndrome (MS) only in women. The cut-off values of AS parameters that allow for prediction of increased VA were determined from the ROC-curve analysis - in men: beta > 7.3, Ep > 103 kPa, AC < 0.61 mm(2)/kPa after adjustment for DM, BMI > 29.1 kg/m(2), WHR > 0.85 and CA > 51 years; in women: beta > 9.6, Ep > 126 kPa, AC < 0.75 mm(2)/kPa, PWV-beta > 7.4 m/s after adjustment for DM, BMI > 25.8 kg/m(2), WHR > 0.80 and CA > 60 years. Conclusions: The substitution of VA for CA may increase the FRS category. Sex differences in predictors of increased VA were identified. AS parameters proved to be predictors of increased VA besides the classic risk factors.