We present a heart-brain MRI protocol to investigate potential mechanisms linking aortic stiffness to markers of brain injury in aging adults with and without hypertension. Aortic stiffness was associated with WMH independent of age in hypertension. The absence of this association in healthy controls may reflect a later stage of vascular injury in hypertension. Aortic stiffness was also related to increased Circle of Willis resistivity, supporting further investigation of its potential contribution in a larger sample.