Objective To determine the risk factors of atherosclerosis(AS) and arterial stiffness assessed non-invasively by the cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI). Methods A total of 845 subjects aged from 35 to 85 years were subjected to CAVI measurement. Blood pressure(BP), lipids, glucose, renal function, chest X-ray radiographs, previous medical records were also obtained for all subjects. CAVI was measured using a VaSera VS-1000 and calculated by heart to ankle pulse wave velocity(haPWV, m/s). Results CAVI was high in 458 subjects(54.2%). CAVI was significantly positively correlated with age, BP, and pulse pressure. Detection rates of hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease(CHD), stroke and dyslipidemias, especially CHD and hyperlipidemias, increased with aging. Smoking was significantly correlated with CAVI. The smokers with other comorbidities displayed further higher CAVI. Conclusions CAVI, as a new parameter of arterial stiffness, is influenced by various cardiovascular risk factors. Smoking and the comorbidities are all involved in elevation of CAVI. A personalized comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy should be recommended for patients with AS.