Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease (Jul 2017)

Physical Activity and Characteristics of the Carotid Artery Wall in High‐Risk Patients—The SMART (Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease) Study

  • H. Myrthe Boss,
  • Yolanda van der Graaf,
  • Frank L. J. Visseren,
  • Renske M. Van den Berg‐Vos,
  • Michiel L. Bots,
  • Gert Jan de Borst,
  • Maarten J. Cramer,
  • L. Jaap Kappelle,
  • Mirjam I. Geerlings

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.116.005143
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 7

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundPhysical activity reduces the risk of vascular disease. This benefit is not entirely explained through an effect on vascular risk factors. We examined the relationship of physical activity and characteristics of the carotid artery wall in patients with vascular disease or risk factors. Methods and ResultsCross‐sectional analyses were performed in 9578 patients from the SMART (Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease) study, a prospective cohort study among patients with vascular disease or risk factors. Physical activity was assessed using questionnaires. Carotid intima‐media thickness and carotid artery stenosis of both common carotid arteries was measured. In a subset of 3165 participants carotid diastolic diameter and distension were assessed. Carotid stiffness was expressed as the distensibility coefficient and Young's elastic modulus. Regression analyses adjusted for vascular risk factors showed that physical activity was inversely associated with diastolic diameter (fifth versus first quintile B=−0.13 mm; 95% CI, −0.21 to −0.05) and decreased risk of carotid artery stenosis (relative risk, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48–0.69). A light level of physical activity was associated with less carotid stiffness (second versus first quintile; Young's elastic modulus B=−0.11 kPa−1×10−3; 95% CI, −0.16 to −0.06; distensibility coefficient B=0.93 kPa×103; 95% CI, 0.34–1.51), but there was no additional benefit with increasing levels of physical activity. In patients with vascular disease, physical activity was inversely associated with common carotid intima‐media thickness, but not in patients with vascular risk factors. ConclusionsIn patients with vascular disease or risk factors, increased physical activity was associated with smaller carotid diastolic diameter, decreased risk of carotid artery stenosis, and less carotid stiffness, but it only showed benefits on carotid intima‐media thickness in patients with vascular disease.

Keywords