Baseline characteristics of the Asklepios study population.

a: P-value for comparison between sexes using independent t-test (b:unequal variance) or chi-square test (c). d: Data was log transformed before statistical testing. LVM: allometrically scaled Left Ventricular Mass index, PBL TL: Periferal Blood Leukocyte Telomere Length, E & A: peak transmitral flow velocities during early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling, e′ & a′: peak movement speed of mitral annulus during early (e′) and late (a′) diastolic filling, DT: transmitral Deceleration Time, NTproBNP: N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, LVEDD: Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Diameter, s′: peak systolic mitral annulus movement speed, Vpe: pulse propagation velocity in early diastole. Baseline characteristics of the Asklepios study population.