More physical activity, less sedentary time may improve vascular ageing

A recent study in the general Spanish population has shown that one in 10 has healthy vascular ageing (HVA) and one in five has early vascular ageing (EVA). Increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary time, and decreasing obesity and insulin resistance improve vascular ageing.

Random sampling was performed in recruiting a total of 501 participants (mean age, 55.90±14.24 years; 49.70 percent men).

There were three steps used to define vascular ageing: (Step 1) Participants with vascular damage in carotid arteries or peripheral artery disease were classified as EVA. (Step 2) Three criteria were used with the percentiles of carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)—first, the 10th and 90th cfPWV percentiles of the population studied by age and sex; second, the 10th and 90th percentiles of the European population reference values; and third, the 25th and 75th cfPWV percentiles of the population studied by age and sex. (Step 3) Participants with hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus included in HVA were reclassified as normal vascular ageing.

The investigators examined arterial stiffness with cfPWV using a Sphygmocor device and measured physical activity with an accelerometer. Standard questionnaire was used to obtain psychological factors, lifestyle, and other clinical information.

Using criteria a and b, HVA had a global prevalence of 8 percent and 14 percent (men: 8 percent and 10 percent; women: 9 percent and 18 percent), and 22 percent and 18 percent (men: 26 percent and 23 percent; women: 17 percent and 12 percent), respectively.

Logistic regression analysis revealed the positive associations of vascular ageing with more sedentary time (odds ratio [OR], 2.37 and 4.51), having triglycerides >150 mg/dl (OR, 6.55 and 4.06), abdominal obesity (OR, 2.71 and 2.90), increased uric acid (OR, 4.63 and 2.98), and insulin resistance index homeostatic model assessment (OR, 4.05 and 6.78), as well as a negative association with less physical activity (OR, 0.29 and 0.28) using criteria a and b, respectively.