Association of Physical Activity With Aortic Stiffness in the Jackson Heart Study

Vascular aging, often defined in terms of arterial stiffness and impaired arterial hemodynamics, is an important factor associated with hypertension and CVD. Aortic stiffness, a more particular measure of arterial stiffness focusing on central hemodynamics (ie, the aorta), is an independent predictor of hypertension and CVD risk. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower arterial stiffness in various White populations, for peripheral and central measures of stiffness, but further investigations into Black populations are warranted. We examined the association between physical activity and aortic stiffness among participants in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS).

We analyzed data from JHS participants who completed applanation tonometry assessment as part of an ancillary study (2012-2017). A total of 1,226 Black adults (age 59.0 ± 10.0, 60.4% female) were included for analysis. Associations were assessed using multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for age and sex and then further adjusted for other demographic and CVD-related risk factors. Physical activity was measured via self-report, and aortic stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) using applanation tonometry.

Higher total physical activity was associated with lower cfPWV when controlling for risk factors associated with arterial and aortic stiffness (estimated B = -0.96; 95% CI: -1.59 to -0.33). When considering American Heart Association physical activity recommendations (ie, ideal activity vs. not meeting recommendations), this relationship remained.

Higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower levels of aortic stiffness in the Jackson Heart Study.