Effect of age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors on carotid distensibility during 6-year follow-up. The cardiovascular risk in Young Finns study

► Conventional risk factors are associated with accelerated decrease in Cdist independent of age. ► Increased adiposity and insulin levels were strong predictors for impaired arterial elasticity. ► Young women may be more vulnerable to the atherogenic effects of hyperglycemia and increased risk factor burden.