Association of cardio-ankle vascular index value with cardiovascular risk factors in elderly individuals

Background Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is an important indicator to evaluate arteriosclerosis. This study was to explore the changes and related factors of CAVI in the elderly population, providing a certain basis for the prevention and control of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Methods 1117 subjects (M/F 488/629) were divided into three groups according to age: group 1: subjects with age 60–69 years; group 2: subjects with age 70–79 years; group 3: subjects with age≧80 years. CAVI value was recorded by using the VaseraVS-1000 vascular screening system. Results There were significant differences about body mass index (BMI), CAVI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), pulse pressure, creatinine, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid between these three groups. CAVI value was increasing year by year, with the increasing incidence of hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke. General Linear Model analysis showed that age, incidence of diabetes mellitus, BMI, DBP and HDL-C were independent associating factors of CAVI in elderly subjects (β = 0.048, p < 0.001; β = 0.349, p = 0.012; β = -0.060, p = 0.001; β = 0.023, p = 0.001; β = -0.530, p = 0.020; respectively). Conclusions CAVI was increasing with ageing. The influencing factors of CAVI varied among different age groups. Subjects aged 60–69 were needed to pay close attention to blood pressure and subjects aged 70–79 were needed to focus on diabetes meillitus, providing a theoretical basis for intervening in different targets in different age groups, to reduce or delay the progression of arteriosclerosis.