Arterial stiffness is an emerging risk factor with important implications for cardiovascular disease risk. Herein, we concisely summarize the physiological and pathophysiological aspects of arterial stiffening, and highlight the importance of increased arterial stiffness for future cardiovascular events. Factors contributing to increased arterial stiffness such as advancing age, obesity, race, sex differences and cardiorespiratory fitness are examined while elucidating the potential underlying mechanisms for each scenario. To conclude, we discuss novel interventions to prevent and/or reverse the arterial stiffening process in order to reduce cardiovascular risk.

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