Title:Treating Arterial Stiffness in Young and Elderly Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome
VOLUME: 20 ISSUE: 39
Author(s):Konstantinos Tziomalos, Vasilios G. Athyros and Asterios Karagiannis
Affiliation:First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, 1 Stilponos Kyriakidi street, 546 36, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Keywords:Arterial stiffness, metabolic syndrome, lifestyle changes, statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor
blockers.
Abstract:Arterial stiffness is independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients with cardiovascular risk factors and
in the general population. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is frequently characterized by increased arterial stiffness since all components of
MetS are implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial stiffness. We review the management of arterial stiffness in patients with MetS. Several
small, short-term studies showed that lifestyle changes, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering agents improve arterial elasticity.
However, differences appear to exist between different classes of agents, with statins and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensinaldosterone
system having the more favorable effects on arterial stiffness. A multifactorial approach appears to be the optimal management
of increased arterial stiffness in patients with MetS.
