Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease-related (CVD) mortality with older age is in part attributable to altered
vascular hemodynamics including increased central and peripheral blood pressure (BP) and
augmentation index (AIx). Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is inversely associated with CVD
mortality independent of traditional risk factors. It is unknown, if vascular hemodynamics differ
by sex. PURPOSE: To investigate sex differences in vascular hemodynamics in an apparently
healthy middle-aged and older adult population. METHODS: Apparently healthy males and
females (N=134; 63 M, 71 F; Age: 60.3 ± 10.3 ) from the Ball State Adult Fitness Longitudinal
Lifestyle Study (BALL ST) were studied. All participants underwent assessment of vascular
hemodynamics, which included non-invasive central and peripheral BP, central and peripheral
pulse pressure (systolic minus diastolic BP), AIx (%), AIx normalized to HR 75 (AIx% HR75)
and directly measured CRF (VO2max ; ml/kg/min). Age and sex-adjusted CRF percentiles were
calculated based on the Fitness Registry and Importance of Exercise National Database
(FRIEND). Data was analyzed using t-test to determine significance. RESULTS: Compared to
females, males had both higher brachial systolic blood pressure and central systolic blood
pressure as well as in carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (all, p<0.05). Females had lower
brachial systolic blood pressure (p = 0.01), brachial pulse pressure (p = 0.02), central systolic
blood pressure (p = 0.05) and carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (p = 0.01).
CONCULSION: Our findings demonstrate sex-related differences in vascular hemodynamics in
middle aged and older adults. These data support the notion of sex-related differences in vascular
hemodynamics, in apparently healthy individuals.
