Risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension

Objective To identify the risk factors for carotid arteriosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension to provide a basis for the prevention of carotid arteriosclerosis in these patients. Methods A total of 513 patients (aged over 18 years) with newly diagnosed hypertension at our hospital were included in this study. According to color Doppler ultrasound results, the patients were divided into either a carotid arteriosclerosis group (n = 233) or a non-carotid arteriosclerosis group (n = 280). Fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, renal function, blood pressure, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, cardiac ultrasound, and microalbuminuria were compared between the two groups by t-test. Then, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for carotid arteriosclerosis. The detection rates of left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria were compared between the two groups by χ2 test. Results Age, blood glucose, 24-h pulse pressure, nighttime pulse pressure, and daytime diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the carotid arteriosclerosis group than in the non-carotid arteriosclerosis group (t = 6.47, P 0, OR>1, P<0.001) and HDL was identified to be a protective factor (β<0, OR<1, P = 0.019) for carotid arteriosclerosis. The detection rates of left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria were significantly higher in the carotid arteriosclerosis group than in the non-carotid arteriosclerosis group (χ2 = 13.17, P = 0.000; χ2 = 9.80, P = 0.002). Conclusion Age can increase the risk of carotid arteriosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. HDL has a protective effect against carotid arteriosclerosis. Key words: Newly diagnosed; Hypertension; Carotid arteriosclerosis; Risk factors