Objectives: Identifying determinants of aortic waveform measures may help to define suitable strategies for improving arterial function. Our aim was to examine associations between lifestyle/cardiovascular risk factors variables and waveform measures as little is known about these.

Methods: Cross-sectional (baseline) analysis of 4830 adults aged 50–84 years participating in a vitamin D trial. Demographic and lifestyle variables were collected from questionnaires. Body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and brachial blood pressure (BP) were measured. Aortic systolic BP (SBP), augmentation index (AIx), pressure waves (forward- and backward-travelling), and reservoir and excess pressures were calculated from aortic pressure waveforms derived from suprasystolic brachial measurement.

Results: After adjustment for covariates, BMI and total cholesterol had positive relationships with various arterial function measures, including peak reservoir pressure and aortic SBP (all P<0.0001). In a dose-dependent manner, frequency of heavy alcohol consumption (≥6 drinks/occasion) was positively associated with several waveform parameter levels, including excess pressure integral (P=0.0046), backward pressure amplitude (P=0.030), peak reservoir pressure (P=0.0009) and aortic SBP (P=0.0001). Smoking was associated with higher levels of various arterial function measures, including excess pressure integral (P=0.0008), AIx (P=0.0012) and aortic SBP (P=0.027). All of these risk factors were positively related to brachial SBP (P=0.046 to <0.0001).

Conclusions: New lifestyle/cardiovascular risk factor variations in arterial function measures were identified. Our findings indicate that BMI, smoking, cholesterol and heavy alcohol consumption may contribute to higher central BP, elevated wave reflections and increased pressure associated with excess ventricular work. Implementing lifestyle interventions to reduce these factors may improve arterial function.