J Prev Med Public Health.  2009 Sep;42(5):298-304. 10.3961/jpmph.2009.42.5.298.

Association of Blood Pressure Levels with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaques

• Lee YH
• Kweon SS
• Choi JS
• Rhee JA
• Choi SW
• Ryu SY
• Shin MH

• KMID: 797690
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2009.42.5.298

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of blood pressure levels with the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and carotid plaques. METHODS: Data were obtained from 2,635 subjects, aged 50 years and over, who participated in the Community Health Survey (a population-based, cross-sectional study) in Dong-gu, Gwangju city between 2007 and 2008. Participants were categorized into three groups according to blood pressure levels; normotensives (<120/80 mmHg), prehypertensives (120-139/80-89 mmHg), and hypertensives (> or =140/90 mmHg). Prehypertensives were further categorized as low prehypertensives (120-129/80-84 mmHg) and high prehypertensives (130-139/85-89 mmHg). Carotid intima-media thickness and plaques were evaluated with a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Prehypertensives had significantly greater maximal CCA-IMT values than normotensives, with a multivariate adjusted odds ratio of 1.78 (95% CI=1.36-2.32) for abnormal CCA-IMT (maximal CCA-IMT > or =1.0 mm), and 1.45 (95% CI=1.19-1.77) for carotid plaques. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio of low prehypertensives was 1.64 (95% CI=1.21-2.21) for abnormal CCA-IMT, and 1.30 (95% CI=1.04-1.63) for carotid plaques compared with normotensives. Subject with hypertension had higher frequency of abnormal CCA-IMT (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI=1.49-3.18), and carotid plaques (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI=1.46-2.67) compared with normotensives after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that there is a significant increase in the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with prehypertension (even in low prehypertensives) compared with normotensive subjects. Further studies are required to confirm the benefits and role of carotid ultrasonography in persons with prehypertension.

Keyword

Carotid arteries; Carotid stenosis; Hypertension; Ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Aged
*Blood Pressure
Carotid Artery Diseases/physiopathology
Carotid Artery, Common/*pathology/ultrasonography
Carotid Stenosis/pathology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Tunica Intima/*pathology