Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
2. Department of Internal Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
3. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Research Unit, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, 60220 Seinäjoki, Finland
Abstract
High haemoglobin level has been associated with metabolic syndrome, elevated blood pressure (BP), and increased mortality risk. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association of blood haemoglobin with haemodynamics in 743 subjects, using whole-body impedance cardiography and pulse wave analysis. The participants were allocated to sex-stratified haemoglobin tertiles with mean values 135, 144, and 154 g/L, respectively. The mean age was similar in all tertiles, while body mass index was higher in the highest versus the lowest haemoglobin tertile. The highest haemoglobin tertile had the highest erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, plasma C-reactive protein, uric acid, renin activity, and aldosterone. The lipid profile was less favourable and insulin sensitivity lower in the highest versus the lowest haemoglobin tertile. Aortic BP, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were similar in all tertiles, while the pulse wave velocity (PWV) was higher in the highest versus the lowest haemoglobin tertile. In linear regression analysis, age (Beta 0.478), mean aortic BP (Beta 0.178), uric acid (Beta 0.150), heart rate (Beta 0.148), and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (Beta 0.123) had the strongest associations with PWV (p < 0.001 for all). Additionally, haemoglobin concentration was an explanatory factory for PWV (Beta 0.070, p = 0.028). To conclude, blood haemoglobin concentration had a small direct and independent association with a measure of large artery stiffness.
Funder
Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research
Sigrid Jusélius Foundation
Tampere Tuberculosis Foundation
Pirkanmaa Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation
Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation
Competitive State Research Financing of the Expert Responsibility Area of Tampere University Hospital