Carotid Artery Stiffening With Aging: Structural Versus Load-Dependent Mechanisms in MESA (the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

ABSTRACT: Elastic arteries stiffen via 2 main mechanisms: (1) load-dependent stiffening from higher blood pressure and (2) structural stiffening due to changes in the vessel wall. Differentiating these closely coupled mechanisms is important to understanding vascular aging. MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) participants with B-mode carotid ultrasound and brachial blood pressure at exam 1 and exam 5 (year 10) were included in this study (n=2604). Peterson and Young elastic moduli were calculated to represent total stiffness. Structural stiffness was calculated by adjusting Peterson and Young elastic moduli to a standard blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg with participant-specific models. Load-dependent stiffness was the difference between total and structural stiffness. Changes in carotid arte

SUBMITTER: Pewowaruk RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8665067 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature