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Updated: May 29, 2026

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

[Association of carotid atherosclerosis and blood pressure variation]

Ao-Ya Liu1, Zhen-Qiu Yu, Wen-Hua Wang

  • 1Department of Hypertension, Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.

Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi
|September 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Blood pressure variation, particularly systolic pressure fluctuations, is linked to carotid artery plaque. This finding highlights blood pressure variability as a key factor in atherosclerosis development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular medicine
  • Vascular biology
  • Hypertension research

Context:

  • Carotid artery plaque is a significant indicator of cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Blood pressure variability is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in cardiovascular health.
  • Understanding the interplay between blood pressure patterns and atherosclerosis is vital for risk stratification.

Purpose:

  • To examine the association between carotid artery plaque and blood pressure variability.
  • To identify cardiovascular risk factors correlated with carotid artery plaque.
  • To determine if blood pressure variation independently predicts carotid atherosclerosis.

Summary:

  • A retrospective analysis of 408 hypertensive patients revealed a 55.3% prevalence of carotid artery plaque, increasing with age.
  • Carotid plaque was associated with disease duration, blood sugar, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.
  • The prevalence of carotid plaque correlated positively with the coefficient of variation of 24-hour systolic blood pressure.

Impact:

  • Carotid atherosclerosis is independently associated with blood pressure variability, especially systolic.
  • This suggests that monitoring blood pressure fluctuations may improve cardiovascular risk assessment.
  • Findings emphasize the importance of managing blood pressure variability in hypertensive patients to prevent atherosclerosis.
Abstract

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