Healthy Vascular Aging Is Associated With Higher Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Background: Healthy vascular aging (HVA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are each independently associated with lower cardiovascular disease-related mortality. It is unknown, however, whether the CRF-related reductions in cardiovascular disease risk are related to HVA. We hypothesized that HVA would be associated with higher CRF in men and women from the Ball State Adult Fitness Longitudinal Lifestyle STudy (BALL ST). Methods: Apparently healthy men and women ≥50 yr of age from the BALL ST cohort (n = 101) who underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess CRF (V˙O2peak) were included in the study. Participants were divided into either HVA, defined as brachial systolic blood pressure 7.6 m/sec. Results: Participants with HVA had a higher age- and sex-adjusted CRF percentile (62 ± 5 vs 47 ± 3, P
Source: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Prevention Source Type: research