Abstract P340: Associations Of Life’S Simple 7 And 10-year Change In Load-dependent Arterial Stiffness: The Multi-ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis (mesa)

Abstract

Introduction: Arterial stiffness can be separated into two main mechanisms: 1) load-dependent (LD) stiffening from higher blood pressure (BP) and (2) structural stiffening due to changes in the vessel wall. Structural stiffening is strongly associated with advancing age. LD stiffening is highly variable and is more strongly associated with CVD. Hypothesis: Optimal Life’s Simple 7 factors will be associated with a slower rate of increase in LD stiffness. Methods: MESA participants with carotid ultrasound at Exam 1 and Exam 5 (year 10) were included (n=2557). Peterson’s elastic modulus (PEM) was calculated to represent total stiffness. Structural stiffness was PEM adjusted to a standard BP of 120/80 mmHg using participant-specific models. LD stiffness was the difference between total and structural stiffness. Changes in stiffness mechanisms over 10 years for poor versus optimal Life’s Simple 7 (LSF) factors were compared with linear models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, study site, education, BP and lipid medication, C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, and baseline stiffness. Results: No LS7 factors was associated with increased LD stiffening for the whole cohort. For the bottom quartile of baseline LD stiffness, smoking (2.55±1.23 kPa, p=0.039) was associated with increased LD stiffening. For the highest quartile of baseline LD stiffness, no LS7 factors were significantly associated with stiffening. Conclusion: Smoking was associated with increased LD stiffening in those with low baseline stiffness. Smoking cessation and prevention may be especially important in these individuals to promote healthy vascular aging.