Diagram of potential causal pathways linking atherosclerotic risk factors. Diagram of potential causal pathways linking atherosclerotic risk factors. BFBF, baseline forearm blood flow; BMI, body mass index; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; FFA, free fatty acids; HOMA, homoeostatic model assessment; HR, heart rate; HTN, hypertension; IL-6, interleukin-6; MFBF, maximum forearm blood flow; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SNS, sympathetic nervous system; TNF, tomour necrosis factor; QUICKI, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index; WC, waist circumference. Cynthia Cheng, and Constantine Daskalakis Open Heart 2016;3:e000332 ©2016 by British Cardiovascular Society