May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Brazil.

Hypertension is a pathology of high prevalence in the world. In Brazil, it is the main risk factor for the major cause of death in the country, coronary heart disease. The May Measurement Month Campaign in 2018 (MMM18) included a population with representation from all Brazilian states and reflects some of the characteristics of hypertension in Brazil. Questionnaire data were collected and three measures of blood pressure (BP) were performed. The sample consisted of 12 413 individuals, 59.1% were white, 51.3% were women. The average age was 54. ± 16.0 years. Diabetes was present in 11.6%, previous myocardial infarction in 5.9%, and previous stroke in 2.7%. Current smokers were 9.3% and 12.4% were regular drinkers. The average body mass index was 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2. After multiple imputations, 67.9% were hypertensive (>140/90 mmHg). Of the individuals who were not taking antihypertensive medication, 27.9% were hypertensive and of those taking antihypertensive medication, 40.3% were uncontrolled. Systolic BP increased with age. The MMM18 campaign demonstrated a large number of unknown hypertensives and a high rate of uncontrolled hypertension in Brazil, unfortunately in keeping with 2017 findings.

The use of single-pill combinations as first-line treatment for hypertension: translating guidelines into clinical practice.

: The 2008 European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension guidelines recommend the first-line prescription of two antihypertensive drugs in single-pill combinations (SPCs), also known as fixed-dose combinations, for the treatment of most patients with hypertension. This recommendation is based on a large amount of data, which shows that first-line treatment with SPCs supports reaching blood pressure targets rapidly and reducing cardiovascular outcome risk while keeping the therapeutic strategies as simple as possible and fostering adherence and persistence. As this approach constitutes a big shift from the stepped-care approaches that have been dominant for many years, practicing physicians have expressed concerns about using SPCs as first-line agents. In this review, we will discuss the barriers to the uptake of this recommendation. We will also offer suggestions to reduce the impact of these barriers and address specific concerns that have been raised.

Impact of hypertension phenotypes on the office and 24-h pulse wave velocity and augmentation index in individuals with or without antihypertensive medication use.

Data on the association of blood pressure (BP) phenotypes with office and out-of-office markers of vascular stiffness and pressure wave reflection are sparse. This study investigated office and 24-h measures of brachial BP, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and central augmentation index (AIx) across hypertension phenotypes among individuals not using BP-lowering medications [normotension (NT), white-coat hypertension (WH), masked hypertension (MH) and sustained hypertension (SH)] and those using BP-lowering medications [controlled hypertension (CH), white-coat uncontrolled hypertension (WUCH), masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) and sustained uncontrolled hypertension (SUCH)]. We evaluated 454 untreated (age = 45 ± 15 years, 50% males) and 238 treated (age = 52 ± 15 years, 45% males) individuals who underwent office and 24-h brachial BP, PWV, and AIx measures using a Mobil-O-Graph PWA monitor. In the analysis adjusted for age and sex, WH had higher (p < 0.05) office PWV (7.53 ± 0.09 vs 6.89 ± 0.05), office AIx (27.9 ± 1.3 vs 23.8 ± 0.8), and daytime AIx (24.6 ± 0.7 vs 22.7 ± 0.4) compared with those of NT, while WUCH had higher (p < 0.05) office PWV (8.28 ± 0.11 vs 7.43 ± 0.08) and 24-h PWV (7.54 ± 0.09 vs 7.21 ± 0.07) than those of CH. MH had higher (p < 0.05) 24-h PWV (7.00 ± 0.09 vs 6.69 ± 0.04) and 24-h AIx (24.3 ± 0.9 vs 21.9 ± 0.4) than those of NT, whereas MUCH had higher (p < 0.05) 24-h PWV (7.64 ± 0.13 vs 7.21 ± 0.07) than that of CH. Lastly, SH or SUCH had significantly higher office and 24-h PWV and AIx than those of NT and CH, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that individuals with masked BP phenotypes are more predisposed to have adverse out-of-office vascular characteristics, while individuals with white-coat phenotypes have adverse office and out-of-office vascular characteristics compared with those of individuals with normal BP levels.

FERRAMENTAS DIGITAIS: UM ALIADO NA MELHORA DO CONTROLE PRESSÓRICO / DIGITAL TOOLS: AN ALLY IN IMPROVING BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL

O controle pressórico satisfatório representa o maior desafio no tratamento da hipertensão. O alcance das metas de pressão arterial (PA) é um desafio conjunto de médicos e pacientes já que o não controle da PA resulta em aumento de morbidade e mortalidade cardiovascular, cérebro e renovascular. Os dois principais pilares do baixo controle pressóricos são a inércia terapêutica e a baixa adesão ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo. As estratégias para melhorar a adesão terapêutica envolvem medidas diversas, entre elas o uso de ferramentas digitais vem se tornando uma estratégia reconhecidamente capaz de auxiliar na melhora da adesão terapêutica resultando em maior controle pressórico. O ELFIE é um aplicativo para telefone celular dedicado ao apoio no autocuidado em saúde para o paciente hipertenso endossado pela Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia e o seu Departamento de Hipertensão. Faz parte da Solução Servier na Hipertensão, que envolve duas estratégias digitais: o programa de suporte ao paciente Sempre Cuidando e o aplicativo ELFIE. Neste artigo, relatamos a experiência de colegas com o uso da Solução Servier que resultaram em melhora da adesão e do controle pressórico de diferentes pacientes.

Blood pressure control represents the greatest challenge in the treatment of hypertension. Achieving blood pressure goals is a joint challenge for physicians and patients, since failure to control BP results in increased cardiovascular, brain, and renovascular morbidity and mortality. The two main pillars of low blood pressure control are therapeutic inertia and poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment. Strategies to improve therapeutic adherence involve several measures, including the use of digital tools, which has become a strategy recognized as capable of helping to improve therapeutic adherence, resulting in greater blood pressure control. ELFIE is a mobile phone application dedicated to self-care support for hypertensive patients endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology and its Department of Hypertension. It is part of the Servier Hypertension Solution, which involves two digital strategies: the Semper Cuidando patient support program and the ELFIE application. In this article, we report the experience of colleagues with the use of the Servier solution in hypertension, which resulted in improved adherence and blood pressure control in different patients.

Biomarcadores vasculares em pacientes hipertensos / Vascular biomarkers in hypertensive patients

Fundamento: Avaliação da dinâmica vascular tem sido associada a uma melhor quantificação do risco cardiovascular de pacientes hipertensos. Objetivo: Avaliar a rigidez arterial em pacientes hipertensos acompanhados no ambulatório escola da Universidade Iguaçu, avaliar a dinâmica vascular e rigidez arterial desta população e propor estratégias para uma maior proteção cardiovascular destes pacientes. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, aberto, avaliando a taxa de pacientes com pressão arterial sistólica central ≥120mmHg e ≤120mmHg; e a velocidade de onda pulso ≥10m/s e ≤10m/s através da avaliação de pacientes consecutivos atendidos no ambulatório escola, com >18 anos, no período de agosto/2019 a março/2020. Análise de dados demográficos, condições clínicas associadas e presença de outros fatores de risco. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação dos parâmetros centrais e de rigidez arterial pela técnica oscilométrica. Análise estatística: análise descritiva dos dados em média com desvio padrão para as variáveis contínuas, epercentual do número total para as demais variáveis. As análises foram feitas com software Excel, versão 2101 (build 13628.20448 Microsoft Store). Resultados: 56 pacientes (44 femininos); média idade 56,08±12,24anos. Média de PA 135,08±15,73/85,39±10,30mmHg. Pacientes com pressão sistólica central ≥ 120mmHg: 32,14%; pacientes com a velocidade de onda de pulso ≥ 10m/s: 26,78%. Quantidade de medicamentos anti--hipertensivos por paciente com PASc ≥ 120mmHg: 1 droga (38,88%), 2 drogas (61,11%), 3 drogas (0%), > 3 drogas (0%). Quantidade de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos utilizados pelos pacientes com VOP ≥ 10m/s: 1 droga (26,66%), 2 drogas (66,67%), 3 drogas (6,67%), > 3 drogas (0%). Conclusão: Mais de um quarto da população apresentava elevação da PASc e da VOP. Cerca de 30% dos participantes que apresentavam VOP ≥10m/s estavam em sua maioria (74,34%) usando dois ou mais fármacos anti-hipertensivos em combinação livre. Estas informações implicam na n necessidade de reavaliação da estratégia terapêutica objetivando não apenas o alcance das metas de PA, mas a efetiva proteção CV (AU).

Background: Assessment of vascular dynamics has been associated with better quantification of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. Objective: To evaluate arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients followed up at the Iguaçu University outpatient clinic, to evaluate the vascular dynamics and arterial stiffness of this population and to propose strategies for greater cardiovascular protection in these patients. Methods: Prospective, open study, evaluating the rate of patients with central systolic blood pressure ≥120mmHg and ≤120mmHg; and pulse wave velocity ≥10m/s and ≤10m/s through the evaluation of consecutive patients treated at the school outpatient clinic, aged >18 years, from August/2019 to March/2020. Analysis of demographic data, associated clinical conditions and presence of other risk factors. All patients underwent assessment of central parameters and arterial stiffness using the oscillometric technique. Statistical analysis:descriptive analysis of data in mean with standard deviation for continuous variables, and percentage of the total number for other variables. Analyzes were performed using Excel software, version 2101 (build 13628.20448 Microsoft Store) Results: 56 patients (44 female); mean age 56.08±12.24 years. Mean BP 135.08±15.73/85.39±10.30mmHg. Patients with central systolic pressure ≥ 120mmHg: 32.14%; patients with pulse wave velocity ≥ 10m/s: 26.78%. Number of antihypertensive drugs per patient with SBP ≥ 120mmHg: 1 drug (38.88%), 2 drugs (61.11%), 3 drugs (0%), > 3 drugs (0%). Number of antihypertensive drugs used by patients with PWV ≥ 10m/s: 1 drug (26.66%), 2 drugs (66.67%), 3 drugs (6.67%), > 3 drugs (0%) (AU).,

Hipertensão renovascular levando à nefrectomia unilateral: relato de caso / Renovascular hypertension leading to unilateral nephrectomy: case report

Objetivo: Relatar o caso de uma paciente jovem portadora de Hipertensão Arterial Secundária à estenose da artéria renal, que evoluiu com perda renal em decorrência de necessidade de nefrectomia unilateral, enfatizado a importância do diagnóstico e da abordagem adequada desta patologia para o controle da pressão arterial e preservação da função renal. Método: Os dados foram obtidos através de entrevista com a paciente, análise de prontuário, laudos de técnicas diagnósticas, as quais a paciente foi submetida, entre julho e novembro de 2019, durante as consultas médicas e revisão bibliográfica. Conclusão: A nefrectomia unilateral mostrou-se eficaz no controle da hipertensão arterial, na melhora do desempenho renal, possibilitando a melhoria na qualidade de vida do indivíduo afetado

Objective: To report the case of a young patient with SAH secondary to renal artery stenosis, who developed renal loss due to the need for unilateral nephrectomy, emphasizing the importance of the diagnosis and the appropriate approach of this pathology for the control of blood pressure and preservation of renal function. Method: The data were obtained through interview with the patient, analysis of medical records, reports of diagnostic techniques, which the patient was submitted between July and November 2019, during medical consultations and literature review. Conclusion: Unilateral Nephrectomy proved to be effective in controlling arterial hypertension, improving renal performance and in the evolution of renal insufficiency that is difficult to control from the renovascular root, enabling improvement in the affected individual's quality of life

IECA E BRA: EXISTEM DIFERENÇAS? / ACE AND ARBS: ARE THERE DIFFERENCES?

O bloqueio do sistema renina angiotensina aldosterona é uma estratégia fundamental no tratamento e prevenção da doença cardiovascular. No contexto da hipertensão arterial (HAS), os inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina e os bloqueadores dos receptores de angiotensina compõem, juntamente com os diuréticos tiazídicos e os antagonistas dos canais de cálcio; o tripé fundamental no tratamento farmacológico da HAS. Adicionalmente, estas classes de fármacos são comumente usadas em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca, doença arterial coronariana, diabetes e doença renal crônica. Neste ponto de vista os autores discutem as semelhanças e diferenças entre inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina e os bloqueadores dos receptores de angiotensina, demonstrando que, à luz dos conhecimentos disponíveis atualmente na literatura, é possível reconhecer que essas duas classes de fármacos são diferentes e têm efeitos clínicos distintos

Blockade of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system is a fundamental strategy in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. In the context of arterial hypertension, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers make up, along with thiazide diuretics and calcium channel antagonists; the fundamental tripod in the pharmacological treatment of SAH. In addition, these classes of drugs are commonly used in patients with heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. From this point of view, the authors discuss the similarities and differences between angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, demonstrating that in light of the knowledge currently available in the literature, it is possible to recognize that these two classes of drugs are different and have distinct clinical effects

APOE and LDLR Gene Polymorphisms and Dyslipidemia Tracking. Rio de Janeiro Study.

BACKGROUND: Studies show an association between changes in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDLR receptor with the occurrence of dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between polymorphisms of the APOE (ε2, ε3, ε4) and LDLR (A370T) genes with the persistence of abnormal serum lipid levels in young individuals followed up for 17 years in the Rio de Janeiro Study. METHODS: The study included 56 individuals (35 males) who underwent three assessments at different ages: A1 (mean age 13.30 ± 1.53 years), A2 (22.09 ± 1.91 years) and A3 (31.23 ± 1.99 years). Clinical evaluation with measurement of blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) was conducted at all three assessments. Measurement of waist circumference (WC) and serum lipids, and analysis of genetic polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP were performed at A2 and A3. Based on dyslipidemia tracking, three groups were established: 0 (no abnormal lipid value at A2 and A3), 1 (up to one abnormal lipid value at A2 or A3) and 2 (one or more abnormal lipid values at A2 and A3). RESULTS: Compared with groups 0 and 1, group 2 presented higher mean values of BP, BMI, WC, LDL-c and TG (p < 0.01) and lower mean values of HDL-c (p = 0.001). Across the assessments, all individuals with APOE genotypes ε2/ε4 and ε4/ε4 maintained at least one abnormal lipid variable, whereas those with genotype ε2/ε3 did not show abnormal values (χ2 = 16.848, p = 0.032). For the LDLR genotypes, there was no significant difference among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: APOE gene polymorphisms were associated with dyslipidemia in young individuals followed up longitudinally from childhood.

Hipertensão na doença renal crônica em tratamento conservador / Hypertension in chronic kidney disease under conservative treatment

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) afeta aproximadamente 30% da população geral no mundo industrializado e é uma das principais causas de doença renal crônica (DRC), caracterizada por função renal anormal ou danos estruturais renais com mais de 3 meses de duração. A sua presença classifica o paciente hipertenso como de alto risco cardiovascular (CV). O controle pressórico é fundamental para diminuir a sua progressão e reduzir o risco de morbidade e mortalidade CV. A meta pressórica recomendada deve ser menor que 130x80mmHg para a maioria dos pacientes com DRC. O tratamento não medicamentoso tem como base as mesmas recomendações dos demais pacientes hipertensos. A terapia medicamentosa combinada deve ser iniciada o mais breve possível. Além dos inibidores do sistema renina angiotensina aldosterona, conhecidos por sua eficácia na DRC, os diuréticos e os bloqueadores de canal de cálcio compõem o trio de ouro utilizado no tratamento da HAS, capazes de reduzir o risco cardiovascular e desacelerar a progressão da doença renal. Em conclusão, a DRC é um preditor de risco CV e a presença concomitante de HAS aumenta expressivamente esse risco. A utilização da estratégia terapêutica adequada para manter os níveis pressóricos dentro das metas é fundamental na atenuação da progressão da doença renal e do risco

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) affects approximately 30% of the general population in the industrialized world and is a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), characterized by abnormal renal function or structural damage lasting more than 3 months. Its presence classifies the hypertensive as a high cardiovascular (CV) risk patient. Blood pressure (BP) control is essential for slowing the progression and for reducing the risk of CV morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. BP target <130x80mmHg is recommended for most hypertensives with CKD. Non pharmacological treatment is based on the same recommendations for other hypertensive patients. Combination drug therapy should be started as soon as possible. In addition to the renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockers, known for their effectiveness in CKD, diuretics and calcium channel blockers compose the gold trio used in the treatment of SAH, able to reduce cardiovascular risk and to slow the progression of kidney disease. In conclusion, CKD is a predictor of CV risk and the concomitant presence of SAH significantly increases this risk. The use of an appropriate therapeutic strategy to maintain BP control is crucial to mitigate the progression of kidney disease and CV

Controle pressórico e inércia terapêutica no ambulatório escola da Universidade Iguaçu / Pressure control and therapeutic inertia in the outpatient school of the Iguaçu University

Introdução: Conhecer as taxas de controle da pressão do Ambulatório Escola da Universidade Iguaçu, as estratégias terapêuticas e a taxa de inércia terapêutica frente aos pacientes não controlados, são fundamentais para estabelecer estratégias de alcance de metas pressóricas. Objetivo: Determinar a taxa de pacientes na meta e fora da meta de pressão arterial, a estratégia terapêutica em uso e a taxa de inércia terapêutica frente aos pacientes não controlados. Metodologia: Estudo observacional, prospectivo e analítico através de análise dos prontuários e entrevista com pacientes consecutivos atendidos no ambulatório escola da Universidade Iguaçu, com >18 anos, no período de agosto a dezembro de 2019. Análise de dados demográficos, condições clínicas associadas e presença de outros fatores de risco. Resultados: 202 pacientes estudados na pesquisa, faixa etária de 18 a 85 anos, com 91,08% dos pacientes com hipertensão arterial (40 e 79 anos). Analisando as taxas de controle, 61,38 % encontram-se na meta de pressão arterial de acordo com o risco cardiovascular, segundo a Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, e 38,6%, dos pacientes não se encontram na meta. A adesão terapêutica elevada foi observada em 29,83% dos pacientes na meta vrs 26,92% dos pacientes fora da meta. A taxa de inercia terapêutica foi de 41,03% pacientes com conduta mantida. Conclusão: Dos pacientes atendidos, 38,61% estão fora da meta de pressão arterial, e a inercia terapêutica é um importante problema. Como a maioria dos pacientes hipertensos sem comorbidades são acompanhados nas unidades básicas de saúde por generalistas, a capacitação desses profissionais é de grande importância para um melhor controle da pressão arterial.

Introduction:Knowing the pressure control rates of the outpatient school at the Iguaçu University, therapeutic strategies and the rate of therapeutic inertia in the face of uncontrolled patients are essential to establish strategies to achieve pressure goals. Objective: Determine the rate of patients on and off the blood pressure target, the therapeutic strategy in use and the rate of therapeutic inertia compared to uncontrolled patients. Methodology:Observational, prospective and analytical study through analysis of medical records and interviews with consecutive patients over 18 years old seen at the outpatient school at Universidade Iguaçu, from August to December 2019. Analysis of demographic data, associated clinical conditions and the presence of others risk factors. Results:202 patients studied in the research, age range from 18 to 85 years, with 91.08% of patients with arterial hypertension (40 and 79 years). Analyzing the control rates, 61.38% are on the blood pressure target according to cardiovascular risk, according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, and 38.6%, of the patients are not on the target. High therapeutic adherence was observed in 29.83% of patients on target vs. 26.92% of patients off target. The therapeutic inertia rate was 41.3% of patients in the target. Conclusion: Of the patients seen, 38.61% are outside the blood pressure target, and therapeutic inertia is an important problem. As the majority of hypertensive patients without comorbidities are monitored in basic health units by general practitioners, the training of these professionals is of great importance for a better control of blood pressure

Blood pressure in adolescence, adipokines and inflammation in young adults. The rio de janeiro study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of blood pressure (BP) during adolescence on other cardiovascular risk factors in young adults is important for the primary prevention. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate BP, anthropometric indexes, metabolic and inflammatory profiles in young individuals stratified by their BP behavior recorded for 18 years. METHODS: A total of 116 individuals, of whom 63 were males, from the Rio de Janeiro study (follow-up of 17.76 ± 1.63 years), were assessed at two moments: A1 (12.40 ± 1.49 years) and A2 (30.09 ± 2.01 years). The 116 individuals were divided into two groups: GN (n = 71), of participants with normal BP at A1; and GH (n = 45), of those with abnormal BP at A1. BP, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were measured at A1 and A2. At A2, abdominal circumference (AC) and laboratory, metabolic and inflammatory variables were included. RESULTS: 1) No difference was observed between the groups as regards age and gender; 2) At A2, GH showed higher mean weight, BMI, BP, insulin, HOMA-IR (p < 0.001), leptin (p < 0.02), apolipoprotein B100 and A1 (p < 0.02), apolipoprotein B100 / apolipoprotein A1 ratio (p < 0.010); and higher prevalences of overweight/obesity (p < 0.001), of increased AC (p < 0.001) and of hypertension (p < 0.02); 3) No difference was observed between the groups as regards the inflammatory variables; 4) There was a positive correlation of BP at A1 with BP, BMI, insulin, leptin and HOMA-IR at A2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BP in adolescence was associated with higher values of BP, and anthropometric and metabolic variables in young adulthood, but not with inflammatory variables.

Renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension treatment : current perspectives.

The authors review the concept of resistant hypertension and the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in hypertension as a rational basis for the technique of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) performed percutaneously. This revision is the result of an active search for scientific articles with the term "renal denervation" in the Medline and PubMed databases. The techniques and devices used in the procedure are presented, as well as clinical outcomes at six, 12 and 24 months after the intervention with the Symplicity catheter. Significant decreases and progressively higher reductions of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed after RSD. The complication rate was minimal. New devices for RSD and its ongoing clinical studies are cited. In conclusion, the RSD presents itself as an effective and safe approach to resistant hypertension. Results from ongoing studies and longer follow-up of these patients are expected to confirm the initial results and put into perspective the expansion of the procedure use in hypertension approach.

Pulse wave velocity, blood pressure and adipocytokines in young adults: the Rio de Janeiro study.

BACKGROUND: Data on noninvasive vascular assessment and their association with cardiovascular risk variables are scarce in young individuals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between pulse wave velocity and blood pressure, anthropometric and metabolic variables, including adipocytokines, in young adults. METHODS: A total of 96 individuals aged 26 to 35 years (mean 30.09 ± 1.92; 51 males) were assessed in the Rio de Janeiro study. Pulse wave velocity (Complior method), blood pressure, body mass index, glucose, lipid profile, leptin, insulin, adiponectin and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were analyzed. Subjects were stratified into three groups according to the PWV tertile for each gender. RESULTS: The group with the highest pulse wave velocity (PWV) tertile showed higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, body mass index, insulin, and HOMA-IR, as well as lower mean adiponectin; higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus/glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. There was a significant positive correlation of PWV with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean blood pressure, body mass index, and LDL-cholesterol, and a negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin. In the multiple regression model, after adjustment of HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and adiponectin for gender, age, body mass index and mean blood pressure, only the male gender and mean blood pressure remained significantly correlated with PWV. CONCLUSION: PWV in young adults showed a significant association with cardiovascular risk variables, especially in the male gender, and mean blood pressure as important determinant variables. The findings suggest that PWV measurement can be useful for the identification of vascular impairment in this age group.

Importance of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels to the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the elderly.

Studies about the impact of HDL-C levels on the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the elderly are scarce. We decided to evaluate the relation of clinical and laboratory variables to the incidence of CVD events in the elderly stratified according to HDL-C behavior in an 8-year follow-up. We assessed 126 elderly (mean age: 70.01±7.24 years; 33.3% were men) on two occasions (assessment 1=A1, and assessment 2=A2), with a minimum of 5-year interval. They underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation and were divided into three groups as follows: (1) GN (n=52), normal HDL-C levels on A1 and A2; (2) GL (n=36), low HDL-C levels on A1 and A2; (3) GV (n=38), HDL-C levels varying from A1 to A2. The following CVD events were observed: coronary artery disease (angina pectoris=AP, myocardial infarction=MI, percutaneous/surgical coronary intervention); stroke; transient ischemic attack=TIA; carotid disease; and heart failure=HF. The groups did not differ in age or gender at A1 and A2. Triglyceride=TG mean levels were lower in GN at A1 (p=0.007) and A2 (p<0.001) than in GL. There were 14 CVD events in GN (26.9%), 23 (63.9%) in GL, and 13 (34.2%) in GV (χ2=12.825; p=0.002). In logistic regression analysis, we observed that the higher the systolic blood pressure (SBP) (odds ratio [OR]=1.0231; p=0.0338) and the lower the HDL-C (OR=0.9363; p=0.0035), the higher the incidence of CVD events. Persistently low HDL-C levels over 8 years of follow-up were a risk factor (RF) for the development of CVD events in the elderly.