Visceral fat accumulation influenced blood flow velocity in hypertensive subjects

Abstract

Arterial function measurements are widely used as surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease. However, it is unknown whether non-pathological factor may influence these measurements in particularly blood velocity function. The aim of current study was to investigate the relationship between visceral fat (VF) accumulation and hypertension incidence. The study evaluated the changes of blood velocity waveforms among normotensive and hypertensive subjects. One hundred twenty six individuals were classified into three groups which are lower VF, middle VF and higher VF regarding on their VF level. Resistive index (RI), velocity reflection index (VRI) and vascular elastic recoil index (VEI) were calculated from the 3 minutes assemble average of envelope waveform. The VF accumulation was higher in hypertensive than normotensive subjects. Peak systolic (S1), peak diastolic (D), VRI and VEI modulated significantly (P < 0.05) in higher VF compared to lower VF groups. RI and VRI show significantly different in hypertensive compared to normotensive groups. In conclusion, increased VF influences hypertension incidence and blood velocity regulation.