Background: Tsimane forager-farmers of the Bolivian Amazon exhibit a distinct trajectory of vascular aging, characterized by low age-related increases in BP, the lowest levels of coronary calcification ever reported, and robust VO2 max. However, the prevalence of arterial stiffness (ArSt) in this population and its association with age and other cardiovascular risk factors are unknown.
Methods: Large artery elasticity (LAE) and small artery elasticity (SAE) were measured among 491 Tsimane adults (mean age 55.3±13.0 y, 55% female) using HDI CR-2000 (Eagan, MN). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was assessed among 89 Tsimane (mean age 53.1±15.7 y, 54% female) using the foot-to-foot method with ECG and carotid/femoral pulse wave data.
Results: Compared to previous studies from diverse urban populations, Tsimane show lower indices of ArSt: higher LAE (mean 22.79±12.21 ml/mmHg·10) and SAE (mean 7.57±4.04 ml/mmHg·100), and lower cfPWV (mean 6.34±2.1 m/s). LAE and SAE are 73% and 57% higher for Tsimane men, and 70% and 86% higher for Tsimane women, compared to age-matched US MESA adults. Tsimane demonstrate lower LAE and SAE with age, while higher cfPWV was only evident among Tsimane over 70 years (β=2.26±0.71, P=0.001; reference <40 y). Hypertension is rare in this population, but was associated with having higher ArSt.
Conclusion: Tsimane forager-farmers have substantially lower levels of ArSt and fewer age-related differences in ArSt compared to more urbanized and sedentary populations. The minimal and delayed age-related increase of arterial stiffness might contribute to the very low observed levels of coronary atherosclerosis and dementia in the Tsimane.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circ.148.suppl_1.13719
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