Loboz-Rudnicka M, et al. - Researchers assessed how the progression of carotid stiffness parameters differs with age and gender and the impact of risk factors on carotid stiffness. Compared to men, women displayed lower arterial compliance (AC). Over the age of 45 years, the difference in AC value between genders became significant. The whole study group displayed no significant gender difference in the value of β stiffness index (β), Peterson’s elastic modulus (Ep), and pulse wave velocity β (PWV-β), however, women < 45 years demonstrated lower values of β and Ep than their male counterparts. Age, blood pressure components (pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure), type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart rate were identified as the significant determinants of carotid stiffness. Only women displayed the relationship between carotid stiffness and pulse pressure and only men displayed the relationship between carotid stiffness and heart rate.