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Arterial Stiffness and its Impact on Cardiovascular Health

Rachel Anne Xuereb1, Caroline J Magri2,3, Robert G Xuereb2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta. rachel-anne.xuereb@gov.mt.

Current Cardiology Reports
|September 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness, a key indicator of cardiovascular risk, is linked to increased mortality. Assessing arterial stiffness aids in identifying at-risk patients and guiding preventive strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases are the leading global cause of death.
  • Endothelial function and arterial stiffness are increasingly recognized as critical factors in cardiovascular disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of arterial stiffness on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality across diverse patient populations.
  • To discuss the clinical utility of arterial stiffness assessment in patient risk stratification and disease management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies examining arterial stiffness.
  • Analysis of established and emerging methods for measuring arterial stiffness, including pulse wave velocity and cardio-ankle vascular index.

Main Results:

  • Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and correlates with various cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Novel measures like cardio-ankle vascular index offer practical assessment of arterial stiffness.
  • Pharmacological interventions can potentially modify arterial stiffness and cardiovascular disease progression.

Conclusions:

  • Assessment of arterial stiffness is crucial for improving cardiovascular risk stratification.
  • Integrating arterial stiffness evaluation into clinical practice can enhance the management and progression of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arterial stiffnessCardio-ankle vascular indexCardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular risk assessmentHypertensionPulse wave velocity

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