Metabolic syndrome and age-related progression of aortic stiffness

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether a clustering of metabolic risk factors might accelerate the progression of arterial stiffness with age in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). BACKGROUND Arterial stiffness is increased in MS, but the genetic and environmental factors that might influence its progression are unknown. METHODS Four hundred seventy-six subjects were classified at baseline according to their number of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (from zero to three and more), after adjustment for Smoking habits. The CV risk factors were: hypertension, body mass index, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia, classified according to traditional criterions. Subjects were followed for six years and had, at the beginning and end of the survey, determinations of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and aortic Pulse wave velocity (PWV). RESULTS At baseline, BP, HR, plasma creatinine, and PWV were significantly, higher (p = 0.001) in the group with three and more CV risk factors than in groups With zero to two risk factors. During the follow-up, the increase in PWV, but not in pulse pressure, was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the group with three and more risk factors (i.e., metabolic syndrome) than in other groups. Results were unmodified after adjustment,; for age, gender, baseline values, drug treatment, smoking habits, and mean arterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased progression of aortic stiffness with age, supporting premature senescence in these patients.