Key result
Genetic factors moderately influenced arterial stiffness, with heritability estimates of 45% (95% CI 12-71) for brachial augmentation index and 42% (95% CI 2-57) for aortic pulse wave velocity.
Observational (n=410)
Yes
Effect estimate: 45% heritability (95% CI 12-71)
Atherosclerosis markers such as carotid IMT and arterial stiffness are only moderately influenced by genetics, highlighting the importance of individual environmental factors like diet and smoking.
Moderate heritability of arterial stiffness measures should not yet inform clinical risk models; leaves open dominant environmental contributions for prospective studies.
Introduction Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process in which the artery wall thickens as a result of plaque deposition, but this process may be preceded by increased arterial stiffness. We sought to evaluate the influence of genetics and shared and unshared environmental components on the onset of atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 135 monozygotic (MZ) and 70 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs (mean age 49 ± 16 years) underwent carotid intima media thickness (IMT; carotid analyzer) and arterial stiffness (augmentation index on brachial artery [ Aix bra ], pulse wave velocity on aorta [ PWV ao ]; TensioMed Arteriograph) measurements. Results Age-adjusted intraclass correlations were greater in MZ than in DZ pairs for proximal right common carotid artery (CCA; MZ = 0.19, DZ = 0.06), proximal and distal left CCA (MZ = 0.27, DZ = 0.06; MZ = 0.27, DZ = 0.13, respectively), and proximal left internal carotid artery (ICA; MZ = 0.39, DZ = −0.54), suggesting a moderate genetic effect. Heritability was estimated to be 18% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3–33) for proximal right CCA, 26% and 27% for proximal and distal left CCA, respectively, and 38% (95% CI = 26–49) for proximal left ICA. Regarding distal right CCA and proximal right ICA, no genetic effects were detected. Age-adjusted intraclass correlation of Aix bra and PWV ao were 0.65 (95% CI = 0.55–0.72) and 0.46 (95% CI = 0.33–0.57) in MZ, 0.42 (95% CI = 0.24–0.57) and 0.28 (95% CI = 0.08–0.47) in DZ pairs; heritability 45% (95% CI = 12–71%) and 42% (95% CI = 2–57%) adjusted by age, respectively. Conclusions The investigated parameters appeared to be only moderately influenced by genetic factors. Environmental factors of relevance for these measures appeared not to be shared within family but related to individual experience (e.g., smoking habits, diet, and physical activity). Atherosclerosis detection at an early stage is necessary for treatment to prevent serious complications such as stroke and heart attack.
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Tárnoki et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Atherosclerosis (n=410). Genetic factors (monozygotic vs dizygotic twins) vs. Dizygotic twins was evaluated on Heritability of brachial augmentation index (Aix bra) (45% heritability, 95% CI 12-71). Genetic factors moderately influenced arterial stiffness, with heritability estimates of 45% (95% CI 12-71) for brachial augmentation index and 42% (95% CI 2-57) for aortic pulse wave velocity.
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