Lifestyle has significant effects on atherosclerosis in the population as young as below 40 years old

1) Abstract　The epidemiological research was carried out to investigate the relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and atherosclerosis-related factors. Subjects were 1,730 Iwaki residents (Aomori Prefecture, Japan) who participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project between 2005 and 2010. They were divided into different genders and age group. The results were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis with baPWV as a dependent variable, and atherosclerosis-related factors as independent variables. In male of the youngest age group, baPWV was found to have a significant positive correlation with the number of cigarette consumption per day. In female of the youngest age group, baPWV was found to have significant positive correlations with triglyceride and glucose levels, and a significant negative correlation with frequency of exercise. Therefore, cigarette smoking in young male was suggested to be a major risk factor, and exercise habit in young female was suggested to be a preventive factor of atherosclerosis.