Clinical Correlates and Heritability of Flow-Mediated Dilation in the Community

Abstract

Increasing age, systolic blood pressure, BMI, and smoking were associated with lower FMD% in our community-based sample, whereas prior exercise and increasing heart rate were associated with higher FMD%. The estimated heritability of FMD was modest. Future research will permit more complete characterization of the genetic and environmental determinants of endothelial function and its prognostic value in the community.