Age- and gender-related differences in arterial stiffness and reflected wave parameters

Increased arterial stiffness and reflected wave parameters are independent risk factors not only for cardiovascular disease but also for the progression of organ damage. Age- related changes and gender of the subjects are among the sources explaining individual differences in arterial stiffness. Increased arterial stiffness is the main cause of increased systolic and pulse blood pressure, as well as decreased diastolic blood pressure with aging. Higher arterial stiffness in women with underlying cardiovascular disease persists even after adjustment for age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. Given that gender differences play an important role in cardiovascular physiology, including arterial stiffness as an additional variable in diagnostics can serve as a biomarker for monitoring cardiovascular health. This review article presents data from scientific studies devoted to the study of age- and gender-related differences in arterial vascular stiffness and reflected wave parameters