Remnant cholesterol and the risk of carotid plaque in hypertension: results from a community-based screening in Hangzhou, China

Background Elevated remnant cholesterol (RC) is considered a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but whether this association applies to the Chinese population with hypertension has not been found. We aimed to explore the association between RC levels and carotid plaque in patients with hypertension. Methods 8523 hypertensive patients aged ≥ 60 years with serum lipids and carotid ultrasonography data were included in this community-based screening. Fasting RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). The associations of RC levels with carotid plaque risk were evaluated using Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models. Results Carotid plaque was screened in 4821 (56.6%) subjects. After multivariable-adjusted, RC was significantly related to carotid plaque [Odd ratio (OR)] = 1.043 per 0.1 mmol/L increase, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.031–1.056]. The highest versus lowest quartile of RC was 1.928 (1.673–2.223) for carotid plaque. A nonlinear association was found between serum RC levels and the risk of carotid plaque (P for nonlinearity < 0.001). Moreover, an RC > 0.78 mmol/L differentiated patients at a higher risk of carotid plaque compared to those at lower concentrations, regardless of whether LDLC was on target at 2.59 mmol/L. Conclusion In Chinese patients with hypertension, elevated RC was positively associated with carotid plaque, independent of LDLC and other conventional risk factors.