Reference values of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity for Northern Chinese

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a reliable method for measuring arterial elasticity, but the absence of reference value for baPWV has limited its wide use. We conducted an epidemical study in north China to investigate the reference value of baPWV for Chinese people and its influential factors.

A total of 974 identified healthy subjects were recruited in this study. The values of baPWV were evaluated noninvasively with an automatic device.

For healthy population, the mean value of baPWV was higher for male (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that both age and systolic blood pressure were positively associated with baPWV for male and female (P < 0.001). BaPWV value was higher in male than in female in younger group (< 50 years) but not in older group (P

Aging is the most important reason of arterial stiffness, but the effect of age on baPWV augmentation is greater for healthy female than their male counterpart. The reference values of baPWV by sex and age are very useful for clinical and preventive medicine.