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Aortic pulse wave velocity in individuals of Asian and African ancestry: the HELISUR study

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 34, pages 108–116 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Aortic pulse wave velocity has emerged as an important predictor of cardiovascular events, but data on ethnic differences in pulse wave velocity remain scarce. We explored differences in pulse wave velocity between people of Asian and African ancestry. Data were used from the cross-sectional Healthy Life in Suriname (HELISUR) study. Pulse wave velocity was estimated oscillometrically with the Arteriograph. We included 353 Asians and 364 Africans, aged respectively 44.9 (SD 13.5) and 42.8 (SD 14.1) years (p = 0.05). Crude median PWV was higher in Asians than in Africans (8.1 [IQR 6.9–10.1] m/s vs. 7.7 [IQR 6.5–9.3] m/s, p = 0.03), which was mainly attributable to an increased PWV in Asians ≥ 50 years (10.1 [IQR 8.7–11.8] m/s vs. 9.1 [IQR 7.9–11.3] m/s in Africans ≥50 years, p < 0.01). After adjustment for age and MAP in multivariable linear regression, Asians had a 1.044 [95% CI 1.019–1.072] m/s higher PWV compared to Africans. Additional adjustment for sex, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, and waist circumference did not substantially change the difference in pulse wave velocity between Asians and Africans (+1.044 [95% CI 1.016–1.074] m/s for Asians vs. Africans). In conclusion, persons of Asian ancestry have a higher pulse wave velocity than those of African ancestry. This persisted after adjustment for important cardiovascular risk parameters, including age and blood pressure. The higher PWV found in Asians could be consistent with their increased coronary heart disease risk.

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Funding

No external funding. The Arteriograph was a personal gift from LMB.

Authors contributions

GAvM, LMB and GPO designed the study. FSD collected the data. FSD and YCH performed the data analysis. FSD, SMB, and LMB drafted the manuscript. All authors critically reviewed the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Paramaribo, Suriname

    Frederieke S. Diemer & Glenn P. Oehlers

  2. Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Frederieke S. Diemer & Ron J. G. Peters

  3. Department of Physical Therapy, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname

    Se-Sergio M. Baldew

  4. Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Yentl C. Haan, Fares A. Karamat & Bert-Jan H. van den Born

  5. Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Gert A. van Montfrans & Bert-Jan H. van den Born

  6. Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname

    Lenny M. W. Nahar-Van Venrooij & Lizzy M. Brewster

  7. Creatine Kinase Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Lizzy M. Brewster

  8. The Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Lizzy M. Brewster

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  1. Frederieke S. Diemer
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Correspondence to Frederieke S. Diemer.

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Diemer, F.S., Baldew, SS.M., Haan, Y.C. et al. Aortic pulse wave velocity in individuals of Asian and African ancestry: the HELISUR study. J Hum Hypertens 34, 108–116 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-018-0144-0

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