Relationship between valued life activity and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity from the Wakayama study: A cross-sectional study

Arterial stiffness is strongly associated with atherosclerosis and is a major cause of cardiovascular events, making prevention essential for middle-aged adults. Since lifestyle habits considerably influence arterial stiffness, it is crucial for middle-aged and older adults to understand how to maintain their health through daily activities. This study investigated the relationship between the characteristics of valued life activities (VLAs) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), which reflects arterial stiffness. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 380 community-dwelling individuals surveyed in 2017 as participants in the Wakayama study. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on VLAs, and their baPWV was measured. The questionnaire assessed the number, domain, frequency, continuity, performance, and satisfaction of VLAs. Among the participants, 293 (77.1%) had a baPWV ≥ 14 m/s, indicating a cardiovascular risk level. In the main analyses, having 3 VLAs were significantly associated with lower odds of baPWV ≥ 14 m/s (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.33 [0.13-0.85]). The crude odds ratio for productivity-only activities was 2.54 (95% confidence interval: 0.87-7.41), while participation in both leisure and productivity activities was associated with lower odds (0.64 [0.39-1.04]), particularly among women (0.49 [0.26-0.91]). In sensitivity analyses that included age adjustment, these associations were attenuated and no longer statistically significant, reflecting the strong influence of age on arterial stiffness. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that the number and type of VLAs, especially productivity and leisure activities among women, may be relevant factors concerning arterial stiffness. Assessing VLAs could therefore be beneficial in designing health support programs aimed at addressing arterial stiffness for middle-aged and older adults.