Carotid intima media thickness among young males with cardiovascular risk factors

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a condition where there are fat, cells and connective tissue deposition in the arterial wall. This may lead to reduced blood flow to the vital organs such as heart (ischemic heart disease) and brain (stroke). There is increasing prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among the young population, especially males. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) of the common carotid artery is a novel marker of atherosclerosis. The aims of the current study were to compare these markers among young males with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors with healthy subjects and to determine the associations between these markers with other CVD risk factors. Methods: One hundred and eighty one men aged 20 to 40 years old were recruited from areas around Klang Valley. These comprised those having one or more risk factors of CVD [hypertension, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, first degree family history (FH) of CVD and smoker, n=128] and without risk factors (n=53). Measurements included peripheral blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and fasting blood sugar (FBS). Right and left CIMT were also measured via B mode ultrasound. Data were analyzed via SPSS version 15 and significance level was set at P<; 0.05. Results: The mean age of all the subjects was 26.47 ± 5.09 years old. Those with risk factors were older, had significantly higher BP, BMI, WC and lipid profiles. Nevertheless, most of these variables were within normal range. Other variables such as HR and FBS were comparable between the two groups. After adjustment for age, those with CV risk factors had significantly higher right CIMT (0.5600 ± 1417 vs 0.5267 ± 0733 mm, P<;0.05) but not left CIMT (0.5450 ± 0.1500 vs 0.5167 ± 1033 mm, P > 0.05) compared to healthy group. Both CIMTs correl- te with other major CV risk factors. The predictors of CIMT were age, SBP and WC which contribute about 12% of the variance in CIMT. Conclusion: Young males with CV risk factors have increased RCIMT and this may be the early markers of CVD.