Systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient 0.007 mm; 95% CI 0.003-0.010; p<0.0001) and smoking were strong independent predictors of early carotid atherosclerosis in healthy normotensive men.
Cohort (n=483)
Even in healthy, normotensive men, baseline systolic blood pressure and cigarette smoking are strong long-term predictors of early subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.
Effect estimate: Regression coefficient 0.007 mm (95% CI 0.003 to 0.010)
p-value: p=<0.0001
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-detected carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is regarded as a valid index of atherosclerosis. Cross-sectional studies have been helpful in establishing determinants of IMT, but the long-term relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in a low-risk population has not been thoroughly evaluated. METHODS: A cohort of 483 military aviators, officially considered as fit for flying and therefore normotensive, was included in the study. All subjects underwent baseline examination with measurement of cardiovascular risk factors (body mass index, blood pressure, physical working capacity, cigarette smoking, and levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and gamma-glutamyltransferase) and carotid ultrasonography at the end point after 10 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Age, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure were independent long-term predictors of IMT. After adjustment for age, cigarettes smoked daily at baseline, categorized in units of five cigarettes each (regression coefficient in mm, 0.057 95% CI: 0.029 to 0.085; p < 0.0001), and systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient in mm, 0.007 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.010, p < 0.0001) were the only predictors of IMT. Physical working capacity was not associated with IMT. CONCLUSION: Even in normotensive individuals, systolic blood pressure is a strong predictor of early carotid atherosclerosis.
Frank Weber (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Healthy men (n=483). Cardiovascular risk factors (systolic blood pressure and smoking) was evaluated on Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) (Regression coefficient 0.007 mm, 95% CI 0.003 to 0.010, p=<0.0001). Systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient 0.007 mm; 95% CI 0.003-0.010; p<0.0001) and smoking were strong independent predictors of early carotid atherosclerosis in healthy normotensive men.