Who is young at heart and when? Diastolic Doppler data from the mind your heart study

To further define the age-related distribution of diastolic function as defined by E/A ratio, in healthy male adults. The age-sensitive ratio of mitral inflow E-wave to A-wave (E/A) velocity is often considered in the evaluation of diastolic function. To appropriately direct a comprehensive evaluation of diastolic function, we sought to improve the characterization of the influence of age on E/A ratio. We analyzed echocardiographic data from the Mind Your heart Study, a cohort of outpatients recruited from two San Francisco Veterans centers to examine the effect of mental health on cardiovascular outcomes. Individuals with a history of heart disease or hypertension were excluded, leaving 313 veterans for analysis. We examined E/A by 5-year increments and performed linear and logistic regression analysis to predict trends in E/A and E dominance. Within the age ranges of population (54.9 ± 11.5), there is a steady gradual decline in absolute E/A ratio (beta coefficient/year- 0.018, P < .001) and the odds of E dominance similarly declines with age (odds ratio/year = 0.89, P < .001). Despite this decline, 90% of individuals below the age of 50 years maintain E dominance. Beyond age 50, 55% maintain E dominance, and beyond age 70, only 28% have E dominance. In this adequately healthy population, age-related progression of delayed relaxation appears to be a state of normality rather than diastolic dysfunction. Careful attention to specific cutoff points in age and E/A ratio could avoid misinterpretation or inappropriate management.