Introduction:
Associations found between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVrF) are diverse. We aimed to evaluate whether differences in PWV and its associations with CVrF in a high cardiovascular risk population exist between genders and between the whole population (WHgr) and groups of apparently healthy (AHgr) and those of hypertensive, obese or diabetics (Rgr).

Material and methods:
Pulse wave velocity measured by Arteriograph was investigated in 805 adults aged 20–65, randomly selected from the Tallinn Population Register.

Results:
Pulse wave velocity was the highest in Rgr and no differences were found between genders of the same group. In women of WHgr and AHgr age and SBP with addition of BMI and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were associated with 54% and 48%, and without ApoB in Rgr with only 30% of PWV values. In men aged ≥ 50 of WHgr with elevated SBP odds ratios for increased PWV were 25.3 and 3.5, in Rgr 21.2 and 2.2, in those aged ≥ 50 AHgr 28.4. In women aged ≥ 50 of WHgr with elevated SBP and diabetes odds ratios were 5.5, 4.9 and 4.0, in Rgr with elevated SBP and diabetes 3.6 and 3.7, in those aged ≥ 50 AHgr 29.3.

Conclusions:
The associations of ApoB and BMI with PWV and diabetes with elevated PWV indicative of increased aortic stiffness were unique for women. Aging and SBP were related to PWV even in AHgr, although age ≥ 50 years in Rgr women and normal SBP in AHgr were not associated with elevated PWV.