Arterieelastisitetsstivhet

Arterieelastisitetsstivhet refers to the stiffness of arterial walls, a measure of how much the arteries resist deformation. This property is crucial for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. Healthy arteries are elastic, meaning they can stretch and recoil with each heartbeat, accommodating the pulsatile blood flow from the left ventricle. This elasticity helps to smooth out pressure fluctuations and maintain a more continuous flow to the body's tissues.

As individuals age, or due to various pathological conditions, the arterial walls can become stiffer. This loss of elasticity, or increased arterial stiffness, leads to several detrimental effects. Stiffer arteries are less able to absorb the pressure wave generated by the heart, resulting in a higher peak systolic pressure and a wider pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure). This increased workload on the heart can contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy.

Furthermore, increased arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure. It impairs the buffering capacity of the arterial system, leading to increased shear stress on the endothelium and promoting atherosclerotic processes. Various methods, such as pulse wave velocity measurements, can quantify arterial stiffness. Factors influencing arterial elasticity include age, blood pressure, genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, and the presence of diseases like diabetes. Managing factors that contribute to arterial stiffness is therefore important for cardiovascular health.