Cardiovascular risk factors as determinants of cerebral blood flow – a cross-sectional and 6-year follow-up study

Purpose: The parameters of cerebral blood flow are modulated by many factors. The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the relationship between the number of the established cardiovascular risk factors and hemodynamic parameters of cerebral blood flow. Material and methods: The study was cross-sectional baseline and 6-year follow-up data analysis. We analyzed data regarding cardiovascular risk factors, medications use, and ultrasonographically (transcranial Doppler) obtained mean cerebral blood flow velocity (mCBFV), pulsatility (PI), resistance (RI) indexes of middle cerebral artery. Results: After 6.0 ± 0.6 years of follow-up, there was increase in systolic (p = .047), and decrease in diastolic (p = .005) blood pressure, resulting in greater pulse pressure (p