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A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
09:33

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

Published on: February 7, 2015

Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged Japanese men with

Kyoko Kirii1, Shigemi Tanaka, Kazumasa Yamagishi

  • 1Department of Public Health Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Industrial Health
|December 18, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and advanced hypertension are linked to carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged Japanese men with multiple cardiovascular risks. These findings highlight key factors for preventing artery disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular disease epidemiology
  • Vascular biology
  • Preventive cardiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent in middle-aged populations.
  • Carotid atherosclerosis is a significant indicator of cardiovascular risk.
  • Understanding specific risk factor associations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis.
  • To identify specific risk factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese middle-aged men with existing risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 110 Japanese men (aged 36-60) with at least four cardiovascular risk factors was recruited.
  • Risk factors included elevated BMI, hypertension, dyslipidemia (TG, T-ChoL, HDL-C), and hyperglycemia (fasting glucose, HbA1c).
  • Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis, adjusting for age.

Main Results:

  • Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly associated with a reduced odds of carotid atherosclerosis (OR=0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.9).
  • Advanced hypertension, indicated by anti-hypertension medication use, showed a borderline association with increased odds of carotid atherosclerosis (OR=2.7, 95%CI: 1.0-7.4).
  • Body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption did not show significant associations.

Conclusions:

  • Low HDL-C levels and advanced hypertension are significant correlates of carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged Japanese men with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
  • These findings suggest that managing HDL-C and hypertension may be important for preventing carotid atherosclerosis in this population.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms and clinical implications of these associations.

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