Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Atherosclerosis in Young Women

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Little research has been conducted into risk factors of atherosclerosis development in young women. Methods-This cross-sectional study enrolled 205 18-to 22-year-old female students from the Educational Centre for Allied Health Professions. A broad array of risk conditions and lifestyle behaviors was carefully assessed. Intima media thickness (IMT) was used as a well-established surrogate for atherosclerosis and a predictor of vascular risk. High IMT was defined as levels exceeding the 90th percentile in the common and/or internal carotid arteries. Results-In multivariable logistic regression analysis, systolic blood pressure, family history for hypertension, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, T-cell immune reaction against human heat shock protein 60, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and exhaust gases emerged as independent predictors of high IMT. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and classical risk factors other than high blood pressure were rare and unrelated to IMT. Findings were similar once focusing on IMT as a continuous variable. Conclusion-In female youngsters displaying initiating stages of vascular pathology, blood pressure level and numerous nontraditional risk conditions showed a significant relation to high IMT. Our study indicates that (auto)immune processes, high lipoprotein(a), and environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and traffic exhaust may play a role in early atherogenesis.

Cadmium and hypertension in exposed workers: A meta-analysis

“…In fact, the endothelial-toxic role of cadmium, has been amply demonstrated by several studies which evidenced its marked role in the constitution of atherosclerotic plaques [58,59]. Atherosclerosis, therefore, could be an ulterior factor explaining the hypertensive potential of cadmium.…”

Cadmium Is a Novel and Independent Risk Factor for Early Atherosclerosis Mechanisms and In Vivo Relevance

“…Classical vascular risk factors, lifestyle behaviors, and family history were assessed in 195 female participants aged 18 to 22 years as detailed elsewhere, 20 and characteristics of study participants are summarized in supplemental Table I (available online at http:// atvb.ahajournals.org). Mean maximum IMT of the right and left common (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) was quantified by high resolution B-mode ultrasound (supplemental Figure I).…”

“…Mean maximum IMT of the right and left common (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) was quantified by high resolution B-mode ultrasound (supplemental Figure I). High IMT was predefined as exceeding the 90th percentile of the sitespecific IMT distribution (CCA, ICA, or both) 20,21 (supplemental Figure II). In addition, serum metal concentrations of 11 different metals including Cd were measured by induced-coupled plasma mass spectrometric analyses (ICP-MS).…”

Tolerization against atherosclerosis using heat shock protein 60

“…Specific cellular immunity to HSP60 exists in the early stages of atherosclerosis (Knoflach et al 2003(Knoflach et al , 2007(Knoflach et al , 2009). For example, it has been demonstrated in several studies that T cells are one of the first cells to invade the arterial intima, later followed by macrophages, DCs, and SMCs in predisposed sites (Xu et al 1990;Kleindienst et al 1993;Millonig et al 2002).…”