Hemoglobin and erythrocyte count are independently and positively associated with arterial stiffness in a...

The association of blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count with arterial stiffness is not well-defined. Herein, we examined the associations of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and augmentation index (AI) with Hb level and RBC count from a population cohort in and around Beijing, China. A total of 3994 participants (57.1 ± 8.8 years old) were included in our analysis. Blood routine examination, baPWV, and possible covariates were examined. The mean Hb, RBC count, AI corrected for a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIP75), and baPWV were 131.4 ± 17.1 g/l, 4.2 ± 0.5 10¹²/l, 80.2 ± 12.0%, and 1665.3 ± 377.1 cm/s, respectively, consistent with previously described cohorts. RBC counts and Hb levels were positively associated with baPWV (β for 10¹²/l RBC: 50.08 cm/s, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.54-69.63, p < 0.001; β for 10 g/l Hb: 9.05 cm/s, 95% CI: 3.35-14.76, p = 0.002) and AIP75 (β for 10¹²/l RBC: 1.33%, 95% CI: 0.55-2.12, p < 0.001; β for 10 g/l Hb: 0.34%, 95% CI: 0.12-0.57, p = 0.003), despite adjustment for covariates. The average levels of baPWV in the third-fourth quartile RBC groups were higher than in the first quartile (Q1) group (p < 0.001 for all). The average levels of baPWV in the fourth quartile Hb groups were higher than in the Q1 Hb group (p = 0.038). Mean AIP75 levels in the third-fourth RBC and Hb groups were higher than in the Q1 groups (p < 0.05 for all). In conclusion, circulating blood Hb levels and RBC counts are positively associated with arterial stiffness in our community-based study.