Arterial Stiffness In Postmenopausal Women Research Articles

Elevated arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Objectives Osteoporosis and increased pulse wave velocity (PWV) are cardiovascular risk factors. We investigated the relationship between PWV and bone mass in the lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. Methods We studied the PWV in 95 women; 38 postmenopausal women with normal spinal bone mineral density (BMD), 32 osteopenic postmenopausal women, and 25 osteoporotic postmenopausal women. The brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) was measured using an automated device. The BMD of the lumbar spine (L2–L4) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results After adjusting for age and years since menopause, women with osteoporosis had a significantly higher baPWV than those with normal BMD (1500 ± 220 cm/s versus 1340 ± 215 cm/s; P < 0.05), but no significant differences in baPWV were seen between the osteoporotic and osteopenic groups or between the osteopenic and normal BMD groups. In univariate regression analysis, the baPWV was significantly negatively correlated with BMD ( r = −0.450, P < 0.01), and significantly positively correlated with age ( r = 0.601, P < 0.01), years since menopause ( r = 0.577, P < 0.01), systolic blood pressure ( r = 0.295, P < 0.01), and diastolic blood pressure ( r = 0.264, P < 0.05), but was not with other variables. In multivariate regression analysis, the baPWV was significantly correlated with BMD ( P < 0.05), but not with other variables. Conclusions Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis may have elevated arterial stiffness, suggesting that osteoporotic postmenopausal women may have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Elevated Central Arterial Stiffness In Normotensive Postmenopausal Women

Arterial stiffness of central elastic arteries increases with age and is a predictor of cardiovascular risk. This is associated with age-related increases in systolic and pulse blood pressure which are also independent predictors of cardiovascular risk in individuals after the fifth decade of life. However, little is known about relationship between agerelated changes in brachial and aortic blood pressure, and central arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women (PMW). PURPOSE To determine if there is an age-related difference between brachial blood pressure, aortic blood pressure, and central arterial stiffness in young and PMW women. METHODS Fifteen sedentary, normotensive PMW (age 57 ± 5 years; BP <140/90 mmHg) not taking hormone replacement therapy, and 15 young normotensive women (YW; age 24 ± 4 years) were studied. High-fidelity radial artery pressure waveforms were recorded non-invasively by applanation tonometry and ascending aortic pressure waveforms were generated using a generalized transfer function (Sphygmocor® system). Brachial blood pressure was assessed in triplicate using standardized oscillometric sphygmomanometer techniques and was used to calibrate the radial artery waveform. RESULTS There were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) between PMW and YW in brachial systolic, diastolic, mean, or pulse pressure as assessed by standard sphygmomanometry. However, central aortic systolic pressure (114 ± 8 vs. 102 ± 10 mmHg, p ≤ 0.01) and aortic pulse pressure (37 ± 7 vs. 27 ± 6 mmHg, p ≤ 0.001) were significantly greater in PMW when compared to YW. In addition, augmentation index corrected to a heart rate of 75 beats/min was significantly greater in PMW than YW (27 ± 10 vs. 5 ± 11 %, p ≤ 0.001, respectively), and duration of the reflected pressure wave from the periphery and back to the aorta was significantly shorter in PMW than YW (140 ± 11 vs. 151 ± 13 ms, p ≤ 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS PMW had increased aortic systolic pressure, aortic pulse pressure, aortic augmentation index, and reduced total travel time of the reflected wave compared to YW, despite similar normotensive blood pressure in the brachial artery. The data suggests that central arterial stiffness is increased in PMW, but this age-related change is not detected by standard brachial sphygmomanometer assessment.

Nine Months Of Resistance Exercise Training Does Not Increase Central Arterial Stiffness In Post-menopausal Women

Nine Months Of Resistance Exercise Training Does Not Increase Central Arterial Stiffness In Post-menopausal Women

Nine Months Of Resistance Exercise Training Does Not Increase Central Arterial Stiffness In Post-menopausal Women

Recent studies suggest that resistance training increases stiffness of central elastic arteries in men. However, there are no data on whether long-term resistance training amplifies the age-associated increase in central arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women (PMW). PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine if nine months of moderate resistance exercise increases central arterial stiffness in sedentary, normotensive PMW. METHODS Thirty normotensive PMW (age 59.2±5 yrs), not taking hormone replacement therapy, were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 11 resistance exercises (GROUP 1; n=10), 9 resistance exercises (GROUP 2; n=10), or a walking control group (GROUP 3; n=10). GROUP 1 performed 11 upper and lower body variable resistance exercises including double leg press (DLP) and lumbar extension (LE), GROUP 2 performed 9 exercises excluding DLP and LE, and GROUP 3 performed 30–45 minutes treadmill walking 2 days/week. GROUP 3 walked at 65–80% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HR), and GROUP 1 and 2 performed one set of 10–12 repetitions to volitional fatigue. At baseline and after nine months, high fidelity radial artery pressure waveforms were obtained non-invasively by applanation tonometry and ascending aortic pressure waveforms were generated using a validated generalized transfer function (Sphygmocor®). Brachial artery blood pressure was obtained in triplicate using standard oscillometric sphygmomonometry. Aortic augmentation index (AI%) corrected for a HR of 75 b/min (AI%@HR75), a measure of amplitude and timimg of reflected waves returning to the aorta; and Δtp, the duration of reflected wave to peripheral reflecting site and back, an inverse measure of pulse wave velocity, were used as measures of central arterial stiffness. RESULTS Average % increase in 1RM strength of seven exercises was significant in GROUP 1 (n=8; +22.5%, p≤0.001) and GROUP 2 (n=5; +16.9%, p=0.01) at nine months compared to baseline, but not in GROUP 3 (n=6; +7.1%, p=NS). There was no significant change in AI%@HR75 at 9 months compared to baseline in GROUP 1 and 2, so data were pooled (GROUP 1/2;n=13). There was no significant difference in AI%@HR75 at nine months compared to baseline in GROUP 1/2 (28.2 vs. 28.2%, p=NS, respectively), or in GROUP 3 (22.3 vs. 26.1%, p=NS, respectively). In addition, there was no significant change in Δtp at nine months compared to baseline in GROUP 1/2 (141.8 vs. 143.2 ms, p=NS, respectively), or GROUP 3 (147.2 vs. 143.0 ms, p=NS, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Nine months of moderate resistance exercise did not result in increased central arterial stiffness in sedentary, normotensive PMW, but resulted in significant strength gains.

Raloxifene and estradiol/norethisterone reduce arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with hypertension,

Raloxifene and estradiol/norethisterone reduce arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with hypertension,

Increased arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women with low bone mineral density

Increased arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women with low bone mineral density

Arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women: determinants of pulse wave velocity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the degree and potential cardiovascular determinants of arterial stiffness, assessed by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements, and to relate arterial stiffness to absolute 10-12-year risks of stroke, coronary heart disease and death, as estimated by available risk functions, in postmenopausal women. METHOD We performed a cross-sectional study among 385 postmenopausal women, aged 50-74 years, sampled from the general population. Arterial stiffness was assessed non-invasively by measurement of aortic PWV using applanation tonometry. Information on health was obtained by medical history, registration of current medication, and physical examination. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, fasting glucose, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, resting blood pressure, and heart rate were measured. Three risk scores were used to estimate, for each individual, the absolute risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and death within 10-12 years as a function of their cardiovascular risk factor profile. The relationship between PWV and these risk scores was subsequently determined. RESULTS Significant positive relationships with PWV were found for body mass index, fasting glucose, diabetes mellitus, and triglycerides in analyses adjusted for age, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. Height and HDL cholesterol were inversely related to PWV. The risks of stroke, coronary heart disease, and death increased with increasing PWV in a linear graded manner. CONCLUSIONS This cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women provides evidence that most of the established cardiovascular risk factors are determinants of aortic PWV. Increased PWV marks an increased risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and death within 10-12 years.