Fig. 1

baPWV a and CAVI b according the MetS components in males and females. Data are given as mean ± standard error. baPWV and CAVI levels were compared using a Student’s t test. Mest criteria: abdominal obesity (n = 1055): WC ≥ 88 in females; ≥ 102 in males. BP (n = 1156): SBP ≥ 130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 85 mm Hg or antihypertensive drug treatment. Increase FPG (n = 872): FPG > 100 mg/dL or antidiabetic drug treatment. Reduced HDL-C (n = 667): HDL < 40 mg/dL in males and < 50 mg/dL in females. Increase TGC (n = 692): TGC > 150 mg/dL). baPWV brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, CAVI cardio-ankle vascular index, BP blood pressure, FPG fasting plasma glucose, HDL-C high density lipoprotein cholesterol, TGC triglycerides, WC waist circumference. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 between sexes