Journal article
Pregnant Women of Advanced Maternal Age Have Higher Central Arterial Stiffness than Younger Pregnant Women Throughout Pregnancy and Postpartum
Journal of applied physiology (1985), Vol.139(6), pp.1420-1431
12/2025
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00729.2025
PMID: 41143843
Abstract
Pregnancy at advanced maternal age (AMA, ≥35 years) is increasingly common in developed countries. Delayed pregnancy may elevate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as hypertensive disorders, potentially due to altered arterial structure and function or insufficient vascular adaptations during pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize differences in maternal vascular and autonomic function across pregnancy and postpartum in healthy pregnant women of AMA compared with younger pregnant women by retrospectively analyzing data from 57 younger pregnant women (21-30 years; 27±3 years) and 22 pregnant women of AMA (≥35 years; 36±1 years). Arterial stiffness, remodeling, and endothelial function were assessed using carotid-femoral and carotid-brachial pulse wave velocity (cfPWV and cbPWV), carotid β-stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the first, second, and third trimesters and postpartum (4-14 weeks). Beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV), cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and heart rate variability (HRV) were also assessed. The AMA group exhibited higher cfPWV, cbPWV, β-stiffness, and IMT compared with the younger group during pregnancy (
≤0.03), with cfPWV and cbPWV remaining higher in the postpartum period (
≤0.01). The AMA group also had higher systolic BPV, lower BRS, and lower HRV compared with the younger group during pregnancy (
≤0.04), with consistently lower BRS postpartum (
<0.01). Blood pressure and FMD did not differ between groups throughout pregnancy and postpartum (
≥0.27). These findings suggest that women of AMA have higher central arterial stiffness and altered autonomic function throughout pregnancy, which may contribute in part to increased risk of pregnancy complications.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Pregnant Women of Advanced Maternal Age Have Higher Central Arterial Stiffness than Younger Pregnant Women Throughout Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Creators
- Ruda Lee - University of IowaMark K Santillan - University of IowaDonna A Santillan - University of IowaAmy K Stroud - University of IowaVirginia R Nuckols - University of IowaLyndsey E DuBose - University of IowaSeth W Holwerda - University of IowaRachel E Luehrs - University of IowaAlexandria M Betz - University of IowaDebra Brandt - University of IowaGary L Pierce - University of IowaAnna E Stanhewicz - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of applied physiology (1985), Vol.139(6), pp.1420-1431
- DOI
- 10.1152/japplphysiol.00729.2025
- PMID
- 41143843
- NLM abbreviation
- J Appl Physiol (1985)
- ISSN
- 8750-7587
- eISSN
- 1522-1601
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society; Rockville
- Grant note
- 15SFRN23760002 / American Heart Association (AHA) 15SFRN23860007 / American Heart Association (AHA) Russell B. Day and Florence D. Day Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/27/2025
- Date published
- 12/2025
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985019046002771
Metrics
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