Simple physical performance measures and vascular health in late midlife women: the Study of Women's Health across the nation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physical performance measures have been shown to predict mortality and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) mainly in elderly populations. We evaluated whether physical performance measures are associated with vascular health indices (carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), adventitial diameter (cAD) and carotid plaque) in a large sample of multi-ethnic, late midlife women.

Methods

Participants from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation free of CVD and who had carotid ultrasound assessed at the 12th annual visit were evaluated. Physical function (PF) measures at visit 12 included: average 40-foot walking speed and average time needed for sit-to-stand assessment.

Results

A total of 1103 women (53.7% White, 30.5% Black, 15.9% Chinese) aged 59.6±2.7yea

SUBMITTER: El Khoudary SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4382424 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature