Indices of Arterial Stiffness in African American and African Caribbean Subjects

Augmentation index and pulse-wave velocity and their related clinical factors are similar between African Americans and African Caribbeans. Age, weight, female gender, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and family history of coronary artery disease are independent predictors of higher augmentation index in African Americans and African Caribbeans. Whether increased arterial stiffness improves risk stratification in these populations merits further study.