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Aortic calcification is associated with age and sex but not left ventricular mass in essential hypertension

Alexandros Tsakiris1, M Doumas, N Nearchos

  • 1Hypertension Outpatient Clinic, First Cardiologic Department, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece. a040144@otenet.gr

Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.)
|February 12, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Aortic calcification is common in patients with essential hypertension, particularly in older females. While associated with age and sex, it was not independently linked to left ventricular mass in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Aortic calcification is a marker of vascular aging and atherosclerosis.
  • The prevalence and clinical significance of aortic calcification in hypertensive patients require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of aortic calcification in patients with essential hypertension.
  • To explore the relationship between aortic calcification, age, sex, and left ventricular hypertrophy.
  • To compare aortic calcification rates in hypertensive patients to the general population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 290 consecutive patients with essential hypertension was studied.
  • Chest radiography and echocardiography were performed to assess aortic calcification and left ventricular mass.
  • Statistical analysis was used to evaluate associations between variables.

Main Results:

  • Aortic calcification was present in 25.5% of patients with essential hypertension.
  • Patients with aortic calcification were older and predominantly female.
  • Left ventricular mass was independently associated with age and sex, but not aortic calcification.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of aortic calcification is higher in essential hypertension than in the general population.
  • Essential hypertension and advanced age are contributing factors to aortic calcification and increased left ventricular mass.
  • Aortic calcification may serve as an indicator of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.

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