Association between sedentary behavior and arterial stiffness in a Brazilian population: the Baependi Heart Study

Sedentary behavior has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Whether sedentary behavior modifies the association between arterial stiffness and age remains unclear. This study investigated the association between sedentary time and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in a Brazilian population spanning a wide age range.

This cross-sectional study included 2134 individuals aged 18-100 years. Sedentary time was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and cfPWV was measured using the Complior SP device. Blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity levels were also collected. Participants were stratified into tertiles of sedentary time. Linear regressions were performed by sedentary time tertile, and slopes of cfPWV versus age were compared. A general linear model was used to evaluate the independent association between sedentary time and cfPWV, adjusting for age, mean arterial pressure (MAP), physical activity, antihypertensive therapy, and sex.

The annual increase in cfPWV was greater in the highest sedentary time tertile (0.075 ± 0.003 m/s/year) compared to the lowest tertile (0.063 ± 0.003 m/s/year). Among individuals aged at least 65 years, the highest sedentary time tertile was associated with higher cfPWV [10.4 m/s; 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.9-10.8) compared to the lowest tertile (9.3 m/s; 95% CI: 9.3-10.1) after adjustment. No significant association was observed in participants under 65 years.

Sedentary behavior is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness in individuals aged 65 years or older. These findings underscore the importance of reducing sedentary time, particularly in older adults, to mitigate cardiovascular risk.