Repository logo
 

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Long-Term Changes in Aortic Stiffness: The Whitehall II Study.


Change log

Authors

Ahmadi-Abhari, Sara 
Sabia, Severine 
Shipley, Martin J 
Kivimäki, Mika 
Singh-Manoux, Archana 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk, mainly through effects on atherosclerosis. Aortic stiffness may be an alternative mechanism. We examined whether patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior are associated with rate of aortic stiffening. METHODS AND RESULTS: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured twice using applanation tonometry at mean ages 65 (in 2008/2009) and 70 (in 2012/2013) years in the Whitehall-II study (N=5196). Physical activity was self-reported at PWV baseline (2008/2009) and twice before (in 1997/1999 and 2002/2003). Sedentary time was defined as sitting time watching television or at work/commute. Linear mixed models adjusted for metabolic and lifestyle risk factors were used to analyze PWV change. Mean (SD) PWV (m/s) was 8.4 (2.4) at baseline and 9.2 (2.7) at follow-up, representing a 5-year increase of 0.76 m/s (95% CI 0.69, 0.83). A smaller 5-year increase in PWV was observed for each additional hour/week spent in sports activity (-0.02 m/s [95% CI -0.03, -0.001]) or cycling (-0.02 m/s [-0.03, -0.008]). Walking, housework, gardening, or do-it-yourself activities were not significantly associated with aortic stiffening. Each additional hour/week spent sitting was associated with faster PWV progression in models adjusted for physical activity (0.007 m/s [95% CI 0.001, 0.013]). Increasing physical activity over time was associated with a smaller subsequent increase in PWV (-0.16 m/s [-0.32, -0.002]) compared with not changing activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and avoidance of sedentary behavior were each associated with a slower age-related progression of aortic stiffness independent of conventional vascular risk factors.

Description

Keywords

aortic stiffness, physical exercise, pulse wave velocity

Journal Title

Journal of the American Heart Association

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2047-9980
2047-9980

Volume Title

6

Publisher

American Heart Association
Sponsorship
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (unknown)
British Heart Foundation (None)
The Whitehall II study is supported by grants from the British Heart Foundation (RG/13/2/30098 and RG/16/11/32334), British Medical Research Council (K013351), and the US National Institute on Aging (R01AG013196 and R01AG034454). Brunner is supported by the British Heart Foundation (RG/13/2/30098 and RG/16/11/32334) and the European Commission (FP7 project no. 613598). Kivim€aki is supported by a professorial fellowship from the Economic and Social Research Council, and NordForsk, the Nordic Programme on Health and Welfare. Wilkinson is a British Heart Foundation senior fellow. McEniery and Wilkinson received support from the Cambridge National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre.