P.003 Effects of Aging on Pulse Wave Velocity in African Men and Women

Abstract

Background

The pulse wave velocity (PWV) in Caucasian men and women is similar and show similar increases with aging. But women develop a greater pulse pressure (PP) with aging due to smaller body size (since the height, weight and DBP are higher in men)[1]. Africans have a smaller body size than Caucasians, and African women are shorter and usually more obese than men.

Aim

To compare age-related changes in PWV of African men and women.

Methods

In 182 African men and 192 women (aged 20 to 77 years), carotid-radialis (C-R) and carotid-dorsalis pedis (C-P) PWV determined with the Complior SP. Anthropometric measurements were also done.

Results

As expected women weighed significantly more than men and were shorter than men (p<0.001). Similar SBP, DBP and PP were shown for men and women (whole group), and in all age groups (except 31-40 yrs). PWV (adjusted for BP, obesity) was overall higher (p<0.001) in men than women, also in most age groups. Only the eldest female group showed a trend to have higher C-P PWV than men.

Conclusion

Africans show contrasting results compared to Caucasians, namely significant gender differences in distensibility of the peripheral arterial tree, which seems to disappear after menopause. [1] Smulyan et al. JACC 2001; 37:1374-80.