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Updated: May 9, 2026
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Physical activity and arterial stiffness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Michael K Stickland1, Norah Vogan, Stewart R Petersen
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-135 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J3; Centre for Lung Health - Covenant Health, 11111 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 0L4.
Physical inactivity is linked to higher arterial stiffness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Maintaining physical activity may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with COPD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Arterial stiffness predicts cardiovascular events and is elevated in COPD.
- Physical inactivity and exercise intolerance are linked to arterial stiffness in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physical activity and arterial stiffness in COPD patients.
- To compare arterial stiffness in active versus sedentary COPD patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV).
- Evaluated 33 COPD patients (FEV1=65% predicted) and 10 controls.
- Assessed FEV1%pred, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and physical activity levels.
Main Results:
- Inactive COPD patients exhibited higher PWV than controls (9.6 vs. 8.3 ms(-1), p<0.05).
- No significant difference in PWV between active COPD patients and controls.
- VO2peak (r=-0.44, p=0.01) and physical activity (r=-0.38, p=0.03) were key predictors of PWV in COPD patients.
Conclusions:
- Physical inactivity and exercise intolerance are associated with arterial stiffness in COPD.
- These factors may contribute to the heightened cardiovascular disease risk observed in COPD patients.
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