Genetic impact dominates over environmental effects in development of carotid artery stiffness: a twin study

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality. Quantifying the genetic influence on the stiff arterial phenotype allows us to better predict the development of arterial stiffness. In this study, we aimed to determine the heritability of car...

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Published inHypertension research Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 88 - 93
Main Authors Horváth, Tamás, Osztovits, János, Pintér, Alexandra, Littvay, Levente, Cseh, Domonkos, Tárnoki, Adám D, Tárnoki, Dávid L, Jermendy, Adám L, Steinbach, Rita, Métneki, Júlia, Schillaci, Giuseppe, Kollai, Márk, Jermendy, György
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.01.2014
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anthropometry
Blood Pressure - physiology
Carotid Arteries - diagnostic imaging
Carotid Arteries - physiology
Environment
Female
Hemodynamics - physiology
Humans
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
Pulse Wave Analysis
Risk Factors
Twins, Dizygotic
Twins, Monozygotic
Ultrasonography
Vascular Stiffness - genetics
Vascular Stiffness - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality. Quantifying the genetic influence on the stiff arterial phenotype allows us to better predict the development of arterial stiffness. In this study, we aimed to determine the heritability of carotid artery stiffness in healthy twins. We studied 98 twin pairs of both sexes. We determined carotid artery stiffness locally using echo tracking and applanation tonometry. We estimated the heritability of stiffness parameters using structural equation modeling. The carotid distensibility coefficient showed the highest heritability (64%, 95% confidence interval 45-77%). The incremental elastic modulus, compliance and stiffness index β also showed substantial heritability (62%, 61% and 58%, respectively). The remaining 36-42% phenotypic variance was attributed to unshared environmental effects. Genetic influence appears to dominate over environmental factors in the development of carotid artery stiffness. Environmental factors may have an important role in favorably influencing the genetic predisposition for accelerated arterial stiffening.
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ISSN:0916-9636
1348-4214
DOI:10.1038/hr.2013.133