Association of hemoglobin with arterial stiffness evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity among Chinese adults

OBJECTIVE: Increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels are known to be associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortalities. Therefore, we assumed that high Hb levels were associated with arterial stiffness. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple and noninvasive method for measuring arterial stiffness to assess cardiovascular disease in general populations. Accordingly, we conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association of Hb with PWV. METHODS: A total of 6642 adults aged 54.5 ± 11.2 years undergoing physical examinations were enrolled, 71.7% of whom were males. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV). Multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between Hb and increased cfPWV. RESULTS: In this study, the mean Hb (per 10 g/L increase) was 144.7 ± 13.9 g/L, and the mean cfPWV was 15.1 ± 3.1 m/s. cfPWV was significantly higher in high hemoglobin groups ≥15.4 g/L (Quartile 4) than in the lowest hemoglobin group (Quartile 1 ≤ 13.6 g/L; P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Hb positively correlated with cfPWV (β = 0.16, P < 0.01). Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that Hb was associated with increased cfPWV, with an odd ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–1.54). After adjusting for potential confounders, Hb and the highest Hb quartile group were also independently associated with increased cfPWV, with a fully adjusted OR of 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02–1.20) and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.01–2.08), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that Hb levels significantly correlate with increased cfPWV.