An international research team has created the first set of reference charts to measure blood vessel stiffness in healthy young people.
This important step could help doctors identify early signs of heart disease risk in children, teenagers, and young adults.
The study, published in the journal Hypertension, looked at data from 19,930 healthy people aged 1 to 40.
These people had normal levels of blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), blood sugar, and cholesterol.
The researchers used a test called “pulse wave velocity” to measure how stiff the blood vessels were.
When blood vessels become stiff, it raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The pulse wave velocity test checks how fast pressure waves from the heart move through the arteries.
If the arteries are stiff, the waves move faster than normal.
In adults, high pulse wave velocity scores are linked with a higher risk of heart disease, even if their blood pressure or cholesterol levels seem normal. The same may be true for young people, but until now, doctors didn’t know what a normal score was for different ages.
The team created reference charts (like growth charts) showing normal ranges of pulse wave velocity for different ages and sexes. These charts were made by combining data from multiple countries, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
They tested six different devices used for measuring pulse wave velocity. Since each device works a little differently, they had to create separate reference ranges for each one.
The test is simple, safe, and non-invasive. It uses a blood pressure cuff, three ECG (electrocardiogram) leads, and a small sensor placed on the skin to measure how fast the pressure wave moves through the arteries.
Even though insurance may not always cover the test, it’s relatively inexpensive—often costing under $100.
Now that doctors know what counts as a normal stiffness score, they can detect early warning signs of future heart problems. For example, a teenager with a high score might need closer monitoring, especially if they are overweight or have high blood pressure.
Some blood pressure medications can reduce artery stiffness. Knowing a patient’s score can help doctors choose the right medication.
These new charts are a first step. Future research will focus on how best to treat young people with stiff arteries and prevent heart problems later in life. Large studies that follow patients over many years will help answer these questions.
This research gives doctors a powerful new tool to spot heart disease risks early and improve care for young people.
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