Arterial aging and the autonomic nervous system: is the relationship differently modified by physical activity in men and women?

Physical activity was associated with a lower increase in arterial aging, indexed as pulse wave velocity, for any increase in autonomic nervous system activity in men. This effect was independent of age, blood pressure, and adiposity. The same effect was not observed in women. Future studies should clarify how these findings may inform a personalized approach to cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction.