[Relationship between carotid artery intima media thickness and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in young men].

Positive correlation between age, leading risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) has been shown in numerous studies. Contingent of the present work was a part of long term cohort study initiated in 1983. We included in analysis data from 233 men in 120 of whom we measured IMT of right and left common carotid arteries. Other examinations included use of standard questionnaire for detection of CVD risk factors, measurement of blood serum lipid and glucose levels, arterial pressure, pulse, body mass and length, waist and hip circumferences (WC, HC), skin fold thicknesses on triceps, abdomen and forearm. We found that carotid artery IMT was related to hereditary load by CVD along paternal line. Substantial influence on the realization of unfavorable inheritance exerted level of systolic arterial pressure. Difference in magnitude of carotid artery IMT between groups of men with normal body mass and obesity were conditioned by variations in severity of abdominal obesity (WC/HC). IMT of carotid arteries in men directly depended on magnitude of their abdominal obesity and age.

[Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases: long term results of five year long preventive intervention in 12-year old boys (ten year prospective study)].

In a longitudinal cohort (prevention group, n=213, comparison group, n=163) of 10-year prospective follow-up we addressed efficacy of 5-year-long multifactor preventive intervention, conducted in a sample of population of 12 year old boys. Preventive intervention was carried out both at populational level and among persons with risk factors of development of cardiovascular diseases with the use of group, individual, and partly family approaches, and was directed at rationalization of nutrition, elevation of physical activity and prevention of harmful habits. During first 3 years of prevention we succeeded to achieve stable statistically significant lowering of mean levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and atherogeneity index, as well as to affect fatty component of body mass (skinfold thickness). Long term effect of 5-year long preventive intervention manifested as significantly lower level of systolic blood pressure, lower prevalence of low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, smaller increment of low density lipoprotein cholesterol and index of atherogeneity in the prevention group. These results evidence that prevention of main factors of risk of development of cardiovascular diseases (obesity, arterial hypertension, disorders of lipid composition of the blood, and low physical activity) in child and adolescent age in the period of active growth and development is feasible, effective, safe and is able to lead to decrease of levels of these factors in adults, but should last uninterruptedly until formation of stable habits of healthy life style.

Results of a three-year trial of arterial hypertension prevention in a population of children aged 11-15 years by overweight control.

As part of a study of prevention of atherosclerosis precursors mass examinations were performed in two districts of Moscow. In the intervention district, the sample included 1123 pupils aged 11-12 years (544 boys, 579 girls), in the control district 1963 pupils (963 boys, 1000 girls) were examined. Repeat checks were performed one, 2 and 3 years after initial examination (blood pressure, body mass and height, skinfold thickness above m. triceps and below the scapula). The prevention programme addressed the whole population, with special emphasis on obese children (instruction about diet and correct feeding habits, body mass control) and their social microenvironment. Favourable results were registered, in terms of blood pressure and skinfold thickness reduction, during the first 2 years in boys; in girls diastolic BP dropped in the 1st year only, skinfold thickness was reduced in the first 2 years. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the observed changes could be ascribed to the effect of the preventive programme.

[Epidemiologic and preventive studies of the precursors of atherosclerosis in children and adults]. / Epidemiologicheskie i profilakticheskie issledovaniia predvestnikov ateroskleroza u detei i podrostkov.

A total of 1920 schoolchildren of both sexes were examined at 12 to 13 years of age, with a follow-up of 242 children showing elevated BP and a random normotensive sample of 230. A set of features was identified that showed the greatest predictive value with respect to mean BP at five years' follow-up: baseline BP, the Katle index, the magnitude of the S wave and heart rate. A study of possible approaches to the prevention of atherosclerotic precursors in eleven-year-olds has been launched, with the action on certain risk factors, such as limited physical activity, elevated BP, smoking, excessive body weight lipid disorders (in boys only).