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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Metabolic syndrome increases carotid artery stiffness: the Northern Manhattan Study

David Della-Morte1, Hannah Gardener, Federica Denaro

  • 1Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33101, USA.

International Journal of Stroke : Official Journal of the International Stroke Society
|June 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The metabolic syndrome is linked to greater carotid artery stiffness in older adults. This finding may help explain the higher stroke risk observed in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular disease research
  • Vascular health and aging

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness is an early indicator of atherosclerosis, associated with increased stroke and cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Metabolic syndrome components are known cardiovascular risk factors, but their direct impact on arterial stiffness requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and carotid artery stiffness.
  • To analyze this relationship in an elderly, multi-ethnic population.

Main Methods:

  • Carotid artery stiffness was measured using carotid ultrasound in the prospective, population-based Northern Manhattan Study.
  • Metabolic syndrome was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program: Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
  • Linear regression models analyzed logSTIFF, adjusting for demographic and clinical factors.

Main Results:

  • The study included 1133 participants (mean age 65; 61% women; 58% Hispanic).
  • Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 49%, with significantly higher carotid artery stiffness (LogSTIFF) compared to those without (P=0.003).
  • Metabolic syndrome remained associated with increased stiffness (beta=0.100, P=0.01) after adjustments, with waist circumference and elevated blood pressure being key contributors.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic syndrome is significantly associated with increased carotid artery stiffness in a multi-ethnic elderly population.
  • Elevated carotid artery stiffness may partially explain the heightened stroke risk in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
Abstract

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