biostudies-literatureStone KNIA NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHS2361-2369https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8570989biostudies-literatureUnknown39(12)<h4>Background</h4>Aortic arterial stiffness is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, its dependence on mean arterial pressure (MAP) limits its clinical utility. The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient (af-SG), a novel marker of CVD risk, may be a promising alternative, but its dependence on MAP is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between MAP and the af-SG in healthy older adults and those with established disease, including hypertension and diabetes.<h4>Method</h4>We evaluated the dependency of the af-SG on MAP in healthy older adults (n = 694, aged 74 ± 5 years), and adults with hypertension (n = 2040, aged 76 ± 5 years), and diabetes (n = 1405, aged 75 ± 5 years) as part of the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV), femoral-ankle PWV (faPWV) and blood pressure were measured using standardized protocols. The af-SG was calculated as faPWV divided by cfPWV. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to test the independent association of MAP with af-SG, with adjustments for known confounders, including age, sex, BMI, blood glucose and heart rate.<h4>Results</h4>There was no significant relationship between the af-SG and MAP in healthy (β = 0.002, P = 0.301), hypertension (β = -0.001, P = 0.298) or diabetes (β = -0.001, P = 0.063) population groups, with MAP explaining less than 0.1, less than 0.1 and 0.2% of the variance in the af-SG, respectively.<h4>Conclusion</h4>These findings suggest that the af-SG may be regarded as a MAP independent index of arterial health and CVD risk in older adults.Journal of hypertensionThe aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient is blood pressure independent in older adults: the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study.PMC8570989HHSN268201700003IHHSN268201700004IHHSN268201700005IHHSN268201700001IHHSN268201700002IHHSN268201700005CHHSN268201100006CHHSN268201100005CHHSN268201700001CHHSN268201100008CR01 AG053938HHSN268201100007CHHSN268201700002CHHSN268201700003CHHSN268201700004CHHSN268201100011CHHSN268201100010CHHSN268201100012CZieff GTanaka HPaterson CStoner LStone KFryer SHughes TMMeyer MLFaulkner JHeffernan KKucharska-Newton AMatsushita KfalseThe aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient is blood pressure independent in older adults: the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study.<h4>Background</h4>Aortic arterial stiffness is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, its dependence on mean arterial pressure (MAP) limits its clinical utility. The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient (af-SG), a novel marker of CVD risk, may be a promising alternative, but its dependence on MAP is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between MAP and the af-SG in healthy older adults and those with established disease, including hypertension and diabetes.<h4>Method</h4>We evaluated the dependency of the af-SG on MAP in healthy older adults (n = 694, aged 74 ± 5 years), and adults with hypertension (n = 2040, aged 76 ± 5 years), and diabetes (n = 1405, aged 75 ± 5 years) as part of the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV), femoral-ankle PWV (faPWV) and blood pressure were measured using standardized protocols. The af-SG was calculated as faPWV divided by cfPWV. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to test the independent association of MAP with af-SG, with adjustments for known confounders, including age, sex, BMI, blood glucose and heart rate.<h4>Results</h4>There was no significant relationship between the af-SG and MAP in healthy (β = 0.002, P = 0.301), hypertension (β = -0.001, P = 0.298) or diabetes (β = -0.001, P = 0.063) population groups, with MAP explaining less than 0.1, less than 0.1 and 0.2% of the variance in the af-SG, respectively.<h4>Conclusion</h4>These findings suggest that the af-SG may be regarded as a MAP independent index of arterial health and CVD risk in older adults.2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Dec2025-04-05T09:43:48.409Z2025-04-05T09:43:48.409ZS-EPMC85709893434314510.1097/hjh.000000000000293710.1097/HJH.0000000000002937