P.025 Increased Arterial Stiffness Amongst Healthy South Asians in the United Kingdom in the Absence of Raised Blood Pressure

Abstract

Background

The pathophysiology of increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk affecting South Asians(SA) living in Britain remains unclear. For a given blood pressure SA have a higher risk of CHD than the indigenous European Caucasian(EC).We hypothesised that measures of arterial stiffness would be greater amongst healthy SA compared to EC counterparts specifically ,in the absence of raised blood pressure and established CHD risk indices.

Methods

Arterial stiffness was measured by digital volume pulse photo-plethysmography (Micromedicals PCA 2) in 90 healthy SA (and compared to age-gender matched 62 EC in a temperature controlled environment using a standard protocol.

Results

SA and EC’s were comparable for CVD risk profile (Table 1). South Asians had an increased Stiffness Index compared to European Caucasians (9.43(0.22) vs. 8.53(0.23) m/s, P = 0.007). In linear regression waist hip ratio and mean blood pressure were independent predictors of arterial stiffness (β = 0.26, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

South Asians have an increased wave reflection and systemic arterial stiffness compared to European Caucasians. Pathophysiological differences in vessel wall characteristics in South Asians may explain their increased susceptibility to higher cardiovascular risk and further work is warranted.

Table 1