Endothelial Function: The Impact of Objective and Subjective Socioeconomic Status on Flow-Mediated Dilation

BACKGROUND Although objective and subjective indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) are linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), little is known about their relationship to endothelial dysfunction, which often precedes CVD. PURPOSE This study examined how objective and subjective SES relate to brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). METHODS FMD was assessed in 72 healthy adults (mean age 36 years). The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status assessed perceived social standing in the USA (SSS-USA) and local community (SSS-Community). Objective SES measures included income and the Hollingshead Two-Factor Index of Social Position (education, occupation). RESULTS Adjusted regressions revealed that SSS-Community positively correlated with FMD (p < 0.05) and explained 8% of the variance. No other SES measures were significant for FMD. The association between FMD and SSS-Community remained significant (p < 0.01) after adjustment for objective SES and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS Lower subjective social status in one's community may be linked to CVD via impaired vasodilation.