Pulse wave propagation rate in determining cardiovascular risk in different age groups

The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors influencing the pulse wave propagation rate (CPV) and to determine its significance as an early marker of vascular aging and cardiovascular risk.

Materials and methods. The study included 139 people of two age groups (20–30 and 50–60 years old), who were assessed for anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, functional characteristics of elastic arteries and elastic modulus. Statistical data processing included descriptive statistical methods, nonparametric criteria for comparing independent groups, and Spearman's correlation analysis. The results demonstrated a significant increase in CPV with age, as well as its higher values in men at a young age. Participants with arterial hypertension were characterized by increased CPV and increased modulus of elasticity, which indicates the development of structural and functional remodeling of the arterial wall. Overweight individuals in the middle-aged cohort had higher CPV scores compared to participants with normal body weight, while the effect of BMI at a young age was less pronounced. The smoking status did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect. The results of the demonstration modeling showed that the inclusion of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in addition to demographic indicators improves the discriminative ability of the predictive model when identifying individuals with a clinically significant increase in CPV. The orientation of all the identified associations is consistent with the data of modern population studies and emphasizes the practical importance of assessing CPV as a noninvasive marker of early vascular disorders. Conclusion. The study confirms that CPV is a sensitive integral indicator of the arterial wall condition and can be recommended for use in clinical practice for the purpose of early stratification of cardiovascular risk and diagnosis of premature vascular aging.

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