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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
10:35
Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Published on: October 19, 2016
Elevated white blood cell count is associated with arterial stiffness.
Yong-Jae Lee1, Ji-Won Lee, Jong-Koo Kim
1Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Summary
Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count is linked to increased arterial stiffness. Monitoring WBC levels may help assess cardiovascular risk and maintain arterial health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Inflammation Research
- Biomarker Analysis
Background:
- White blood cell (WBC) count is a recognized marker of systemic inflammation.
- Systemic inflammation is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is a predictor of cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between WBC count and arterial stiffness (baPWV).
- To determine if elevated WBC count predicts higher baPWV in adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 788 Korean adults.
- WBC count and baPWV were measured.
- Multivariate logistic regression analyzed the association between WBC count quartiles and high baPWV, adjusting for multiple confounders.
Main Results:
- Mean baPWV increased progressively with higher WBC count quartiles.
- Odds ratios for high baPWV increased significantly across WBC count quartiles (Q4 vs Q1: 2.69 [1.15-6.47]).
- Adjusted analysis confirmed the association between elevated WBC count and arterial stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Elevated WBC count is significantly associated with arterial stiffness.
- WBC count may serve as a valuable indicator for assessing arterial function.
- Early detection of elevated WBC count is crucial for cardiovascular risk assessment.
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