Arterial Stiffness in Aging: Does It Have a Place in Clinical Practice?
Gary F. Mitchell
Abstract
Aortic stiffness increases markedly with age and is associated with excess risk for various adverse clinical outcomes, including heart disease, dementia, and kidney disease. Although evidence for adverse effects of aortic stiffening is overwhelming, integration of direct and indirect measures of aortic stiffness into routine clinical assessment has lagged behind the science. This brief review will examine recent evidence supporting the value of stiffness as an important new risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease and will offer suggestions for incorporating stiffness measures into routine clinical practice.
Topics & Concepts
Arterial stiffnessMedicineCardiologyDiseaseKidney diseaseAdverse effectInternal medicineStiffeningRisk factorClinical PracticeIntensive care medicineBlood pressurePhysical therapyEngineeringCivil engineeringCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionCardiovascular Function and Risk FactorsBlood Pressure and Hypertension Studies