The Effect of Body Position on Measures of Arterial Stiffness in Humans

BACKGROUND: The dynamics ofpulsatile waveforms travelling the central aorta are governed by pressures and arterial compliance. Arterial stiffness, the inverse of compliance, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has been suggested as a superior risk index compared to brachial blood pressure (BP). Arterial stiffness is typically measured via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in the supine position; however, different body positions alter orthostatic column height, impacting heart rate and BP. The purpose of this investigation was to examine different body positions and associated measures of cfPWV. METHODS: Measures of resting cfPWV were acquired simultaneously with BP during supine, head-up tilt (HUT), head-down tilt (HDT), and Fowler's position, all at 45 degrees from vertical. RESULTS: Relative to supine, cfPWV was increased 1.1 ± 1.0 and 1.5 ± 1.1 m/s (both p ≤ 0.001) in HUT and Fowler's positions, respectively. Supine to HDT cfPWV was unaltered (p = 0.1), despite an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (10 ± 9 mm Hg). When cfPWV was normalized to MAP, the same effects persisted (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing orthostatic column height by changing posture independently increases resting cfPWV, concurrent with increases in BP. This data demonstrates the impact of body position on measures of central artery stiffness, which may have clinical relevance.