Increased arterial stiffness assessed using pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements is a predictor of cardiovascular risk in adults. There are limited data on PWV and its determinants in young people.

Objective: To compare PWV and its association with gender, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric parameters in healthy high school and university students.

Methods: First group - 42 high school students (22 males) 14–15 years (14,8±0,3 years), the second group - 38 university students (18 males) aged 17–21 years (18,8±1,1 years). To study velocities in elastic (Ve) and muscular (Vm) arteries sphygmomanometry was performed on carotid, femoral and radial arteries.

Results: Older students had higher BMI 22,2±2,8 vs 20,06±2,05 kg/m²;p=0,002) and trend to higher systolic BP (126,2±16,6 vs 119,6±10,2 mm Hg;p=0,07) No difference between groups in Vm was found (7,28±1,18 m/s in 1^st group; 7,09±1,14 m/s in 2^nd). Ve was higher in older group (6,24±1,06 vs 5,57±0,67 m/s in younger group; p=0,001). No gender difference was found in Ve or Vm in either group. Correlation analysis performed jointly in both groups revealed that Ve significantly correlated with age (r=0,26), body mass index (BMI) (r=0,34), systolic (r=0,29), diastolic (r=0,30) and mean BP (r=0,33). Vm correlated only with height (r=0,28). Pulse BP did not correlated with Ve no Vm. Multiple regression found only BMI as independent factor associated with Ve (β=0,27;p = 0,04).

Conclusions: Elastic type arteries stiffness is increased with age in young people with no gender difference. It depends on BP levels and BMI. The main determinant of Ve is BMI.