The Temporal Pattern of Arterial Stiffness during Aging: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Figures

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  Figure 1. The temporal patterns of baPWV in male and female cohorts. The trend of higher baPWV values in males directly corresponded with age and continued until age 60, of which then the baPWV values of both males and females began to converge. At age 50, female cohorts began to show a faster rate of baPWV elevation. Significance level: P < 0.001 (∗∗∗), P < 0.01 (∗∗), and P < 0.05 (∗).

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  Figure 2. The temporal patterns of baPWV in cohorts with high or low systolic blood pressure (a) and diastolic blood pressure (b). The individuals with raised systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure also exhibited heightened baPWV readings across all age groups. Significance level: P < 0.001 (∗∗∗), P < 0.01 (∗∗), and P < 0.05 (∗).

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  Figure 3. The temporal patterns of baPWV in cohorts with high or low fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (a) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (b). The mean baPWV for individuals with high blood glucose was significantly greater than the corresponding mean baPWV for individuals with low blood glucose with the exception of those in the “70s and up” age group. Significance level: P < 0.001 (∗∗∗), P < 0.01 (∗∗), and P < 0.05 (∗).

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  Figure 4. The temporal pattern of baPWV and bilateral baPWV (ΔbaPWV) values (a) The temporal pattern of baPWV values. A gradual increase in baPWV was observed with respect to age, suggesting an increase in the stiffness of arterial vessels as aging progresses. (b) The temporal pattern of ΔbaPWV values. The absolute value of differences between left and right baPWV values is referred to as bilateral baPWV (ΔbaPWV). Similar to baPWV, the values and variances of ΔbaPWV increase with respect to age.

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  Figure 5. Two calcification mechanisms of action that drive arterial vessel stiffening. (a) Calcification process of arterial vessels induced by ageing or elevated blood glucose levels. (b) Molecular mechanism in which elevated glucose levels promote calcification and higher baPWV readings.