Keywords
Obesity
Pulse wave velocity
Women
Vascular aging
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Abstract
Objective: Investigate the association between obesity and vascular aging in middle-aged women, through pulse wave velocity (PWV), based on clinical data. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study included 86 women aged 30 to 60 years, seen at a private Angiology clinic in Palmas, Tocantins, between 2024 and 2025. Vascular age was estimated using PWV and compared to chronological age. Participants were grouped according to body mass index (BMI). Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used, as well as the Student’s t-test for group comparisons. Results: A positive correlation was found between BMI and vascular aging (Pearson = 0.29; Spearman = 0.32). The mean differences between vascular and chronological ages were: BMI < 25 = –3.31 years; BMI 25–30 = –0.20 years; BMI > 30 = +0.56 years. Statistically significant differences were found between the BMI < 25 group and the others. Higher BMI was associated with vascular aging, reinforcing its role as a risk factor for arterial stiffness. Conclusion: Obesity is positively correlated with arterial aging, highlighting PWV as a valuable tool for early vascular risk screening.
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