Clinical and hemochemical determinants of arterial stiffness in apparently healthy adults
Abstract
Introduction: In recent decades, the epidemiological transition toward non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, has positioned prevention as a central pillar of public health. In apparently healthy individuals, subclinical risk factors, such as arterial stiffness, may predict cardiovascular events.
Objective: To characterize epidemiological, clinical, and hemochemical aspects that suggest arterial stiffness in healthy adults.
Method: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 apparently healthy adults, randomly selected from the José Martí Pérez Teaching Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba, from May 2023 to the same period in 2024.
Results: Young adults between 20 and 29 years of age predominated (72.0%), with greater female representation (64.0%). Central adiposity indices (CCI: 0.9 ± 0.1; ICT: 0.5 ± 0.1) reached metabolic risk thresholds in a subgroup, even in normal-weight individuals (BMI: 23.3 ± 3.5 kg/m²). The maximum values constituted parameters of cardiovascular risk associated with arterial stiffness. Ultrasensitive C-reactive protein and homocysteine showed wide variability, with elevated values in some participants.
Conclusions: There are early alterations in the distribution of central adiposity along with subclinical markers of inflammation, associated with incipient arterial stiffness. These findings are relevant in an apparently healthy population and highlight the need to incorporate abdominal adiposity indicators and inflammatory biomarkers into clinical practice to detect vascular risk early.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Margarita Montes de Oca Carmenaty, Osiel Mauricio Lobaina Rosales , Beatriz Herrera Rizo, Maria Eugenia García Céspedes , Celso Suárez Lescay
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