Family patterns of arterial stiffness across three generations in the Malmö Offspring Study

Abstract

Background: 

Central haemodynamics have in recent years emerged as a promising predictor of cardiovascular health and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Central haemodynamics are affected early in the development of vascular aging and contributes to target organ damage. Carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV), augmentation index (Aix) and central SBP (cSBP) are variables that reflect arterial stiffness and central haemodynamics.

Aim: 

To study the association between patterns of central haemodynamics across three related generations focusing on c-f PWV.

Methods: 

In all, 1131 participants from the Malmö Diet Cancer Study (MDCS) and Malmö Offspring Study (MOS) were included. c-f PWV was measured (Sphygmocor) in grandparents and in all offsprings. Correlation analyses of c-f PWV between offspring and c-f PWV in parents and grandparents were conducted. Parents and grandparents were stratified into quartiles by c-f PWV. Offspring c-f PWV means were compared with one-way ANOVA analyses. Multiple regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, SBP and fasting glucose. Bonferroni corrections were used.

Results: 

c-f PWV in offsprings was positively correlated with c-f PWV in parents (r = 0.26, P < 0.001) and in grandparents (r = 0.29, P < 0.001). Parents with high c-f PWV had offspring with significantly higher means of c-f PWV.

Conclusion: 

A measure of aortic stiffness (c-f PWV) is positively correlated across three related generations in this population-based study.