Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics on the Prevalence of Asymptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and PurposeIntracranial Artery Stenosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke in Asia. Previous studies have shown the number of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics was associated with lower risk of stroke. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ideal CVH metrics and prevalence of ICAS.MethodsA random sample of 5,412 participants (selected from Kailuan Study as a reference population) aged 40 years or older (40.10% women), free of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and coronary disease, were enrolled in the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study from 2010 to 2011. We collected information on the seven CVH metrics (including smoking, body mass index, dietary intake, physical activity, blood pressure, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose); and assessed ICAS by transcranial Doppler. The relationship between the ideal CVH metrics and prevalence of ICAS was analyzed using the multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, sex, and other potential confounders, the adjusted odds ratios(95% confidence interval) for ICAS were 0.76(0.58–0.99), 0.55(0.43–0.72), 0.49(0.37–0.65), 0.43(0.31–0.61), and 0.36(0.22–0.62), respectively, for those having 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6–7 ideal CVH metrics compared with those having 0–1 ideal metric(p-trend<0.0001). Similar inverse associations were observed in different age and gender groups (all p-trends<0.05).ConclusionWe found a clear gradient relationship between the number of ideal CVH metrics and lower prevalence of ICAS in a Chinese population, which supports the importance of ideal health behaviors and factors in the prevention of ICAS.

The Association of Ideal Cardiovascular Health and Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Rural Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast China

“…In adolescents, the effect of the score on aortic IMT nearly plateaued after four ideal metrics; for elasticity, a similar phenomenon was seen after three of the metrics were met [14]. However, in adults, a somewhat more linear, graded association between the ideal CVH scores with carotid IMT [13], ICAS [31], and AIP [23]. In adolescence, one does not have to reach all seven metrics to gain CVH benefits; the key is to avoid having a low ideal CVH score [14].…”

“…Several studies have accessed the relationship between CVH and AS markers [13,23,31]. Kulshreshtha A. et al confirmed that ideal CVH had a strong inverse correlation with carotid IMT, another preclinical marker for AS [13].…”

“…Intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke in Asia and its basic pathological mechanism is AS. Zhang Q. et al demonstrated that clear gradient relationship between the number of ideal CVH metrics and lower prevalence of ICAS in a Chinese population [31]. CAC is another established marker of subclinical AS.…”

Arterial Stiffness as a Predictor of Clinical Hypertension

“…Details and design of the study have been previously described. 19,20 From June 2010 to June 2011, a sample of 7000 participants older than 40 years was randomly selected from the Kailuan cohort using a stratified random-sampling method by age and sex based on data of the Chinese National Census from 2010. The sample size was calculated based on detection of a 7% event rate with 0.7% precision and an a value of 0.05.…”

Association of Ideal Cardiovascular Health and Brachial–Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern China

“…21,22 However, there has been little research on the association between the ideal CVH score and PWV, particularly from a different angle (baPWV). We therefore evaluated the association between the CVH score and baPWV among Chinese adults in a large community-based Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community (APAC) Study in northern China.…”