Key result
Higher physical activity is linked to improved ventricular-arterial coupling, with cfPWV/GLS moderately predicting sedentarism.
Why the study?
Age-related vascular stiffening increases cardiovascular risk by altering ventricular-arterial coupling, and physical activity may improve cardiovascular health.
Does higher physical activity improve ventricular-arterial coupling as assessed by the cfPWV/GLS ratio in primary care patients?
Cohort (n=81)
No
Does higher physical activity improve ventricular-arterial coupling as assessed by the cfPWV/GLS ratio in primary care patients?
Effect estimate: AUC 0.730 (predicting sedentarism) (95% CI 0.617-0.833)
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher habitual physical activity correlates with improved ventricular-arterial coupling, and the non-invasive cfPWV/GLS ratio shows promise for subclinical cardiovascular risk screening in primary care.
Background: Age-related vascular stiffening increases cardiovascular risk by altering ventricular–arterial coupling (VAC). Physical activity, a modifiable factor, may improve cardiovascular health. This pilot study evaluated the relationship between physical activity evaluation and VAC, measured by the carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity to global longitudinal strain (cfPWV/GLS) ratio, in a Romanian primary care cohort. Methods: The prospective cohort analysis was performed on 81 adults (49 females, mean age 50.27 ± 12.93 years). Physical activity was quantified through anamnesis using metabolic equivalents (METs) according with Compendium of Physical Activities, and patients were stratified into four groups: G1 (METs < 1.5, n = 39), G2 (METs = 1.5–2.9, n = 2), G3 (METs = 3–5.9, n = 23), and G4 (METs ≥ 6, n = 17). Demographic and echocardiographic data were recorded to explore associations between physical activity and VAC. Results: The cfPWV/GLS ratio differed significantly across groups (p = 0.012), with the lowest values present in the moderate-intensity group (G3). VAC ≥ 0.391 can predict sedentary lifestyles (AUC = 0.730; CI: 0.617–0.833, p > 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, arterial age, and hypertension independently predict VAC. Conclusions: Higher physical activity is inversely associated with VAC (cfPWV/GLS ratio) and can predict sedentary lifestyles. Encouraging moderate-to-vigorous exercise in primary care may improve cardiovascular function and aid prevention.
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Sulea et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Primary care patients free of known cardiovascular disease (n=81). Higher physical activity (METs) vs. Sedentary lifestyle (METs 1.0-1.5) was evaluated on Ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) assessed by the cfPWV/GLS ratio (AUC 0.730 (predicting sedentarism), 95% CI 0.617-0.833, p=<0.001). Higher physical activity is inversely associated with ventricular-arterial coupling (cfPWV/GLS ratio), and a VAC ≥ 0.391 can predict a sedentary lifestyle with an AUC of 0.730.
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