1. This analytical cross-sectional study among 1074 (above 30 years) is the first reported community-level study conducted in India to describe the distribution of the vascular stiffness parameters.

2. It was also aimed to collect preliminary data regarding the prevalence of arterial stiffness and other vascular risk factors in the rural population, with the ultimate objective to identify the population specific cut-offs for screening.

3. Data for CVD risk factors such as age, education, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, self-reported hypertension, and self-reported diabetes were collected using a structured questionnaire.

4. The blood sample was collected for measuring fasting plasma glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides.

5. Reliable arterial stiffness indices (β, E_P, AC, and PWV_β) were measured from the left common carotid artery using ARTSENS Touch.

1. Carotid stiffness was higher in females in comparison to males (β: 8.1 ± 3.5 versus 6.5 ± 2.7, E_P: 113.2 ± 56.1 kPa versus 92.3 ± 40.6 kPa, PWV_β: 6.3 ± 1.3 m/s versus 5.8 ±1.1 m/s); for all p < 0.01. Mean β, E_P, and PWV_β increased across age groups.

2. After excluding diabetes and hypertension, all parameters were comparable across the population. Subjects with higher E_P and PWV_β were twice as likely to have multiple cardiometabolic risk factors.

3. The observed association between metabolic abnormalities and carotid stiffness parameters suggests their potential utility in screening high-risk subjects with multiple CVD risk factors via performing population-level studies.