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Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
Influence of body height on pulsatile arterial hemodynamic data
H Smulyan1, S J Marchais, B Pannier
1Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210, USA. SmulyanH@mailbox.hscsyr.edu
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|April 30, 1998
Summary
Short stature is a hemodynamic liability, increasing cardiovascular risk by stiffening arteries and increasing left ventricular workload. This physiological effect contributes to the inverse relationship between body height and heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Biomedical engineering
- Human physiology
Background:
- Short stature is linked to increased cardiovascular risk through various factors.
- This study introduces hemodynamic effects of reduced body height as an additional contributing factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence that short stature acts as a hemodynamic liability.
- To explain the inverse relationship between body height and cardiovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- Studied 402 subjects (149 with end-stage renal disease, 253 healthy).
- Measured blood pressure, body height, cardiac cycle length, pulse wave velocity, and carotid artery pulse waves.
- Calculated aortic stiffness, augmentation index, and myocardial supply/demand ratio.
Main Results:
- Body height correlated with most hemodynamic variables, excluding mean blood pressure.
- Shorter stature was associated with increased aortic stiffness and pulsatile left ventricular load.
- Shorter stature correlated with faster heart rate and shortened diastole.
Conclusions:
- Early arrival of reflected waves in shorter individuals stiffens the aorta, increasing left ventricular workload.
- Short stature accelerates heart rate, increasing cardiac work and shortening diastole, potentially impairing myocardial supply.
- Findings support a physiological basis for the association between short stature and cardiovascular risk.
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Monitoring Both Arms:
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