Arterial stiffness is associated with minimally elevated high-sensitivity cardiac, troponin T levels in a community-dwelling population

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ObjectivesArterial stiffness predicts an increased risk of future cardiovascular events, possibly via myocardial damage. Minimally elevated levels of plasma cardiac troponin T (TnT), a marker of cardiomyocyte injury, can be detected by the high-sensitivity TnT (hsTnT) assay. The current study investigated the relationship between plasma hsTnT levels and alterations in arterial stiffness in a community-based population. MethodsWe related levels of plasma hsTnT to measures of arterial stiffness (carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity [PWV], office pulse pressure [PP] and carotid–radial PWV) in 1479 participants (mean age, 62.3 years; 619 men, 860 women) from a community-based population in Beijing, China. ResultsIn multiple logistic regression models, carotid–femoral PWV (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.06–3.17; P=0.028) and office PP (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.31–3.11; P=0.002) were associated with a higher likelihood of detectable hsTnT. In addition, carotid–femoral PWV (OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.03–5.30; P=0.042) and office PP (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.13–4.66; P=0.022) were significantly related to elevated hsTnT levels. A subsequent subgroup analysis found that, in subjects aged 60 years and older, the associations between carotid–femoral PWV and office PP and hsTnT levels were strengthened. The associations between hsTnT with any of the arterial stiffness measures were not present in the younger subgroup (<60 years old). ConclusionsCarotid–femoral PWV and office PP are associated with minimally elevated hsTnT levels in the elderly, indicating a relationship between central artery stiffness and subclinical myocardial damage.