Introduction: It is known that African men suffer from high BP and vascular dysfunction. Normally a correlation exist between PWV and BP. However some studies show changes in PWV, independent of BP, possibly as a result of vascular remodeling [1].

Aim: To compare PWV in subjects of African and Caucasian ethnicity and its relation to BP.

Method: The study included 74 Caucasian and 64 African men from South Africa (aged 45–65 years). Cardiovascular parameters were recorded with the Finometer. The Complior SP was used to measure the carotid-radialis PWV.

Results: DBP and MAP were significantly higher in the Africans. SV and arterial compliance were significantly lower in the Africans but the TPR was significantly higher- an indication of vascular dysfunction. In the Africans the PWV was significantly higher than in the Caucasians (11.2 m/s vs 10.6 m/s). With the Bonferroni test (corrected for BP) the same results were found. In the Caucasians there were significant positive correlations between DBP and MAP and PWV (r=0.37; r=0.35). This was not observed in the African group. When the groups were divided in tertiles according to SBP, the PWV was significantly higher in the third tertile in the Caucasians, but not in the Africans.

Conclusions: In the Caucasians the PWV increased with increasing BP, but no such increase was observed in Africans. Increased PWV in the Africans point to vascular changes independent of BP.