Arterial hypertension in women: Menopause as a risk window

2021 ◽  
pp. 205336912110633
Author(s):  
Basil N Okeahialam ◽  
Hadiza Agbo ◽  
Evelyn Chuhwak ◽  
Ikechukwu Isiguzoro

Objectives Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) exert a heavy toll on health of women, mainly due to hypertension said to cluster around the period of transition to menopause. This makes this period a good window to target for prevention and control. We therefore sought to determine if this period really heralds arterial hypertension and CVD in women in our environment. Study design We secondarily analysed our population data on CVD risk factors in free living rural residents. Main outcome variables The data considered were blood pressure, anthropometric and biochemical variables in women stratified based on menstruation status. Results There were 488 females, with 218 still menstruating. They were younger ( p = .000), had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures ( p = .000), lower anthropometric indices attaining significance only with waist circumference ( p = .001) and lower total cholesterol ( p = .001). Controlling for age, statistically significant differences remained for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, and total cholesterol. Conclusion The menopause transition comes with a worse CVD profile. Blood pressure rises and so are the anthropometric variables and some biochemical parameters that fuel CVD. This could be ascribed to age which is higher with those post-menopausal. Controlling for age in this cohort still showed that transiting from pre- to post-menopause still came with CVD burden. Clinicians should take the opportunity presented by menopause transition to screen for CVD risk factors and initiate either preventive or control measures to mitigate morbi-mortality consequences.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Willis ◽  
Michael Greene ◽  
Kimberly Braxton-lloyd

Abstract Objectives The primary objective of this 12-week, randomized, controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a high-risk population in the southeastern United States. Methods Adults (n = 30) with a BMI of > 24.9 and at least two additional CVD risk factors were randomized into one of two groups. The control group (n = 14) received nutrition education on the recommendations of the American Heart Association (AHA). The intervention group (n = 16) received education promoting patterns of a MD as well as dietary supplements of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and mixed nuts. The primary outcome measure was change in systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 and 12-weeks. Secondary outcome measures include changes in diastolic blood pressure; weight; BMI; fasted total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, TG, total cholesterol to HDLc ratio, blood glucose, and HOMA-IR. Nutrition knowledge and MD adherence were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12-weeks. Results The AHA group had decreases in HDLc, total cholesterol to HDLc ratio, and TG at baseline to 6-weeks, while the MD group had decreases in fat mass and BMR. The total population, experienced a decrease in weight, BMI, and TG from baseline to 6-weeks. At 12-weeks, decreases in weight, BMI, and % body fat were seen in the entire population compared to baseline. The MD group experienced trends towards significance in the differences in measures from baseline to 12-weeks in systolic blood pressure, TG, and total cholesterol to HDLc ratio. Group assignment played a significant role from baseline to 6-weeks in systolic blood pressure, HDLc, and LDLc levels. Nutrition knowledge influenced blood glucose and total cholesterol levels. MD adherence impacted total cholesterol and non-HDLc levels. Percent nut consumption had a significant impact on HDLc levels, % EVOO consumption significantly influenced LDLc values, and the nut/EVOO interaction was significant in both systolic pressure and HDLc levels. Conclusions Increases in nutrition knowledge, MD adherence, and % nut and EVOO consumption were the most significant influences on measurement outcomes. Our results suggest that a MD can be implemented on a larger scale with potential positive impacts on CVD risk. Funding Sources Funding was provided by Mallon-Zallen Graduate Research Fellowship.


Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Linda Ng Fat ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell

Objective. Favourable trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors at the population level potentially mask differences within high- and low-risk groups. Data from annual, repeated cross-sectional surveys (Health Survey for England 2003-18) was used to examine trends in the prevalence of key CVD risk factors by body mass index (BMI) category among adults aged 16 years or older (n=115,860). Methods. Six risk factors were investigated: (i) current cigarette smoking; (ii) physical inactivity (<30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week); (iii) drinking above recommended daily alcohol limits; (iv) hypertension (measured blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg or use of medicine prescribed for high blood pressure); (v) total diabetes (reported diagnosed or elevated glycated haemoglobin); and (vi) raised total cholesterol (≥5mmol/L). Age-standardised risk factor prevalence was computed in each four-year time period (2003-06; 2007-10; 2011-14; 2015-18) in all adults and by BMI category (normal-weight; overweight; obesity). Change in risk factor prevalence on the absolute scale was computed as the difference between the first and last time-periods, expressed in percentage points (PP). Results. Risk factor change varied by BMI category in a number of cases. Current smoking prevalence fell more sharply for normal-weight men (-8.1 PP; 95% CI: -10.3, -5.8) versus men with obesity (-3.8 PP; 95% CI: -6.2, -1.4). Hypertension remained at a stable level among normal-weight men but decreased among men with obesity (-4.1 PP; 95% CI: -7.1, -1.0). Total diabetes remained at a stable level among normal-weight adults, but increased among adults with obesity (men: 3.5 PP; 95% CI: 1.2, 5.7; women: 3.6 PP; 95% CI: 1.8, 5.4). Raised total cholesterol decreased in all BMI groups, but fell more sharply among women with obesity (-21 PP; 95% CI: -25, -17) versus their normal-weight counterparts (-16 PP; 95% CI: -18, -14). Conclusions. Relative to adults with normal weight, greater reductions in hypertension and raised total cholesterol among adults with overweight and obesity reflect at least in part improvements in screening, treatment and control among those at highest cardiovascular risk. Higher levels of risk factor prevalence among adults with overweight and obesity, in parallel with rising diabetes, highlight the importance of national prevention efforts to combat the public health impact of excess adiposity.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2550
Author(s):  
Jie V. Zhao ◽  
Wai-Fung Yeung ◽  
Yap-Hang Chan ◽  
Dana Vackova ◽  
June Y. Y. Leung ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Berberine, a long-standing, widely used, traditional Chinese medicine, is thought to have beneficial effects on CVD risk factors and in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The mechanisms and effects, specifically in men, possibly via testosterone, have not been examined previously. To assess the effect of berberine on CVD risk factors and any potential pathway via testosterone in men, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial in Hong Kong. In total, 84 eligible Chinese men with hyperlipidemia were randomized to berberine (500 mg orally, twice a day) or placebo for 12 weeks. CVD risk factors (lipids, thromboxane A2, blood pressure, body mass index and waist–hip ratio) and testosterone were assessed at baseline, and 8 and 12 weeks after intervention. We compared changes in CVD risk factors and testosterone after 12 weeks of intervention using analysis of variance, and after 8 and 12 weeks using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Of the 84 men randomized, 80 men completed the trial. Men randomized to berberine had larger reductions in total cholesterol (−0.39 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.70 to −0.08) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.07 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.13 to −0.01) after 12 weeks. Considering changes after 8 and 12 weeks together, berberine lowered total cholesterol and possibly low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and possibly increased testosterone. Changes in triglycerides, thromboxane A2, blood pressure, body mass index and waist–hip ratio after the intervention did not differ between the berberine and placebo groups. No serious adverse event was reported. Berberine is a promising treatment for lowering cholesterol. Berberine did not lower testosterone but instead may increase testosterone in men, suggesting sex-specific effects of berberine. Exploring other pathways and assessing sex differences would be worthwhile, with relevance to drug repositioning and healthcare.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Geliebter ◽  
Nerys M. Astbury ◽  
Roni Aviram-Friedman ◽  
Eric Yahav ◽  
Sami Hashim

AbstractEating breakfast may reduce appetite, body weight and CVD risk factors, but the breakfast type that produces the greatest health benefits remains unclear. We compared the effects of consuming a high-fibre breakfast, a non-fibre breakfast, or no-breakfast control on body weight, CVD risk factors and appetite. A total of thirty-six overweight participants (eighteen men and eighteen women) (mean age 33·9 (sd7·5) years, mean BMI 32·8 (sd4·7) kg/m2) were randomly assigned to consume oat porridge (n = 12), frosted cornflakes (n = 12) or a water control (n = 12) breakfast daily for 4 weeks. Appetite ratings were collected on the first day and weekly thereafter. Before and after the intervention, body weight, composition, blood pressure and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured and a fasting blood sample was collected. Across the 4 weeks, fullness was higher and hunger was lower in the oat porridge group compared with the control group (P < 0·05). Mean weight change over the intervention was significantly different in the control group (−1·18 (sd1·16) kg) compared with both the cornflakes (−0·12 (sd1·34) kg) and oat porridge (+0·26 (sd0·91) kg) groups (P < 0·05). However, the control group also showed elevated total cholesterol concentrations relative to the cornflakes and oat porridge groups (P < 0·05). There were no differences between groups in changes in body composition, blood pressure, REE or other CVD risk factors. In conclusion, although skipping breakfast led to weight loss, it also resulted in increased total cholesterol concentrations compared with eating either oat porridge or frosted cornflakes for breakfast.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.Q Wu ◽  
X Li ◽  
J.P Lu ◽  
B.W Chen ◽  
Y.C Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In China, an abundance of cardiovascular risk factors has contributed to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which caused almost 4 million deaths per year. However, comprehensive evidence on the geographical profiles of cardiovascular disease risk in China is lacking, as findings in prior studies have been limited to relatively small sample sizes, had incomplete regional coverage, or focused on a narrow risk factor spectrum. Purpose To compare the population CVD risk among different regions across China, and to describe the geographical distributions of CVD risk factors and their clusters throughout the nation. Methods In a nationwide population-based screening project covering 252 counties of China, standardized measurements were conducted to collect information on 12 major CVD risk factors. Individuals of high CVD risk were identified as those with previous CVD, or with a predicted 10-year risk of CVD greater than 10% according to the WHO risk prediction charts. We applied factor analysis to generate “clusters” that characterized the clustering of these risk factors, then explored their relationship with the local ambient temperature and per capital GDP. Results Among 983476 participants included, 9.2% were of high CVD risk, with a range of 1.6% to 23.6% across counties. Among the seven regions in China, the rate was relatively high in the Northeast (11.8%) and North China (10.4%), while low in the South China (7.2%) and Northwest (7.8%). We identified 6 clusters underlying CVD risk factors, including Obesity factor, Blood pressure factor, Staple food factor, Non-staple food factor, Smoking and alcohol factor, and Metabolic and physical activity factor (Figure). We found high risk regions were facing different leading challenges, like obesity and blood pressure for the North China, while unhealthy non-staple food for the Northeast. The South China, as the region with the lowest CVD risk, still had the highest prevalence of unhealthy staple food. Lower annual average ambient temperature was associated with higher risk in Blood pressure factor, Obesity factor and Non-staple food factor, but lower risk in Staple food factor and Metabolic and physical activity factor (p&lt;0.001 for all), consistently between rural and urban. Higher per capital GDP was associated with lower risk in Non-staple food factor in urban and higher risk in Metabolic and physical activity factor in rural (p&lt;0.05 for both). The correlation between per capital GDP and Smoking and alcohol factor differed significantly between in rural and urban regions (p=0.042). Conclusions The geographical profile of CVD risk in China is complex - population risk levels varied substantially across regions, which were contributed by different risk factors. China needs geographically targeted intervention strategies considering environmental and socio-economic factors to control CVD risk and reduce the burden related to CVD. Geographical disparity of risk clusters Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The National Key Research and Development Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China; the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein Ivar Bekkelund

Abstract Background High and low levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are both associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risks especially in elderly, but the mechanisms are less known. This study investigated associations between ALT and CVD risk factors including effects of sex and age in a Caucasian population. Methods Cross-sectional data were analysed sex-stratified in 2555 men (mean age 60.4 years) and 2858 women (mean age 60.0 years) from the population study Tromsø 6. Associations were assessed by variance analysis and multivariable logistic regression of odds to have abnormal ALT. Risk factors included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip-ratio, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, glycated haemoglobin and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP). Results Abnormal elevated ALT was detected in 113 men (4.4%) and 188 women (6.6%). Most CVD risk factors associated positively with ALT in both sexes except systolic blood pressure and CRP (women only), while ALT was positively associated with age in men when adjusted for CVD risk factors, P < 0.001. BMI predicted ALT in men (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88–1.00, P = 0.047) and women (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.86–0.95, P < 0.001). A linear inversed association between age and ALT in men and a non-linear inversed U-trend in women with maximum level between 60 and 64 years were found. Conclusion This study confirms a positive relationship between ALT and CVD risk factors, particularly BMI. Age is not a major confounder in the ALT-CVD relationship, but separate sex-analyses is recommended in such studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Ghaedi ◽  
Mohammad Mohammadi ◽  
Hamed Mohammadi ◽  
Nahid Ramezani-Jolfaie ◽  
Janmohamad Malekzadeh ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThere is some evidence supporting the beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet (PD) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This diet advises consuming lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts and avoiding intake of grains, dairy products, processed foods, and added sugar and salt. This study was performed to assess the effects of a PD on CVD risk factors including anthropometric indexes, lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers using data from randomized controlled trials. A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to August 2018. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled effect size. Meta-analysis of 8 eligible studies revealed that a PD significantly reduced body weight [weighted mean difference (WMD) = −1.68 kg; 95% CI: −2.86, −0.49 kg], waist circumference (WMD = −2.72 cm; 95% CI: −4.04, −1.40 cm), BMI (in kg/m2) (WMD = −1.54; 95% CI: −2.22, −0.87), body fat percentage (WMD = −1.31%; 95% CI: −2.06%, −0.57%), systolic (WMD = −4.75 mm Hg; 95% CI: −7.54, −1.96 mm Hg) and diastolic (WMD = −3.23 mm Hg; 95% CI: −4.77, −1.69 mm Hg) blood pressure, and circulating concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD = −0.23 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.42, −0.04 mmol/L), triglycerides (WMD = −0.30 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.55, −0.06 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol (WMD = −0.13 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.26, −0.01 mmol/L), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD = −0.48 mg/L; 95% CI: −0.79, −0.16 mg/L) and also significantly increased HDL cholesterol (WMD = 0.06 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.11 mmol/L). However, sensitivity analysis revealed that the overall effects of a PD on lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, and circulating CRP concentrations were sensitive to removing some studies and to the correlation coefficients, hence the results must be interpreted with caution. Although the present meta-analysis revealed that a PD has favorable effects on CVD risk factors, the evidence is not conclusive and more well-designed trials are still needed.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy S Jenny ◽  
Nels C Olson ◽  
Alicia M Ellis ◽  
Margaret F Doyle ◽  
Sally A Huber ◽  
...  

Introduction: Clinically, natural killer (NK) cells are important in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. As part of innate immunity, NK cells produce chemokines and inflammatory cytokines, potentially linking them to cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and progression as well. However, their role in human CVD is not clear. Hypothesis: NK cells are proatherogenic in humans and are associated with CVD risk factors and subclinical CVD measures. Methods: We examined cross-sectional associations of circulating NK cell levels with CVD risk factors, subclinical CVD measures and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in 891 White, Black, Chinese and Hispanic men and women (mean age 66 y) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) at Exam 4 (2005-07). NK cell percent, percent of circulating lymphocytes that were CD3 - CD56 + CD16 + , was measured in whole blood by flow cytometry. CAC presence was defined as Agatston score > 0. Results: Mean (standard deviation) NK percent differed by race/ethnicity; 8.2% (4.7) in Whites, 11.3% (7.5) in Chinese (p<0.001 compared to Whites), 7.1 (4.2) in Blacks (p=0.007) and 8.4 (5.2) in Hispanics (p=0.6). NK cell percent was positively associated with age (p<0.001) and systolic blood pressure (P=0.003) in the full group. However, NK cell percent was lower in current smokers than in never smokers (p=0.002). Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidemia, NK cell percent was negatively associated with common carotid intima media thickness (IMT; β coefficient -0.01; 95% confidence interval -0.03, -0.003) but was not associated with internal carotid IMT (-0.002; -0.037, 0.033). Likewise, NK cell percent was not associated with the presence of CAC (compared those with no detectable CAC; relative risk 1.02; 95% confidence interval 0.96, 1.08) or continuous Agatston score in those with a positive score (β coefficient 0.16, 95% confidence interval -0.003, 0.32) in the full group (models adjusted as above). Results were similar across race/ethnic groups. Conclusions: Of clinical interest, CD3 - CD56 + CD16 + NK cell percent varied significantly by race/ethnicity in these men and women from MESA. However, NK cell percent was inconsistently associated with CVD risk factors; positively with age and systolic blood pressure, and negatively with smoking. NK cell percent was also negatively associated with common carotid IMT. Larger sample sizes and longitudinal analyses will be required to clarify the potential relationship between NK cells and atherosclerosis in humans.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael R Baiduc ◽  
Brittany Bogle ◽  
Franklyn Gonzalez ◽  
Elizabeth Dinces ◽  
David J Lee ◽  
...  

Introduction: Over 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss (HL). Studies suggest that established cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may contribute to the pathophysiology of the inner ear. However, the aggregate effect of CVD risk factors on hearing is not well understood. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that high CVD risk burden is associated with worse hearing. Methods: We assessed younger (ages 18-34) and older (ages 55-64) Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos participants who underwent audiometry in 2008-11. After excluding those with conductive pathology and asymmetric HL, we randomly chose one ear for analysis. Puretone thresholds were obtained at 0.5-8 kHz; puretone average (PTA) was calculated using thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Low CVD risk burden was defined as having all of: blood pressure (BP) <120/<80 mmHg; total cholesterol <180 mg/dL; not currently smoking; and not having prevalent diabetes. High CVD risk burden was defined as ≥ 2 of: diabetes; currently smoking; BP >160/>100 mmHg (or antihypertensive use); and total cholesterol >240 mg/dL (or statin use). By age group and sex, we estimated hearing thresholds per frequency with linear regression models adjusted for noise exposure. Least squares estimates were calculated using strata-specific means of covariates. Estimates were compared via t-tests. Data were weighted for all analyses and accounted for clustering. Results: Among younger and older individuals in the target population (51.9% female), 28.8% had low and 5.5% had high CVD risk. Younger men with high CVD risk had worse PTA than young men with low risk (7.7 dB HL [7.0-8.4] vs. 10.5 dB HL [8.4-12.5], p =0.02), and had significantly worse thresholds at 1,3,4,6 kHz than those with low risk ( Figure ). There was no difference in PTA or thresholds at any frequency by CVD risk burden in young women, older men, or older women. Conclusions: CVD risk burden is associated with HL among young men, but not young women or older adults. CVD risk burden may be useful for identifying young men at risk for HL.


Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbey C Sidebottom ◽  
Arthur Sillah ◽  
David M Vock ◽  
Michael M Miedema ◽  
Raquel Pereira ◽  
...  

Background: Despite a highly recognized priority for public health and healthcare to implement population-level strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), limited evidence exists on the most effective strategies. Data collection and evaluation of large scale, community based-prevention programs can be challenging and costly to achieve. The Heart of New Ulm (HONU) Project, begun in 2009, is a population-based initiative with healthcare, community, and workplace interventions addressing multiple levels of the social-ecological model designed to reduce modifiable CVD risk factors in rural New Ulm, MN. The community is served by one health system, enabling the use of electronic health record (EHR) data for surveillance. Objective: To assess trends for CVD risk factors, events, and healthcare utilization for New Ulm residents compared to a matched control population. Methods: We matched New Ulm residents (n = 4,077) with controls (n = 4,077) from a regional community served by the same health system using refined covariate balance techniques to match on baseline demographics, CVD risk factors, and health care utilization. Mixed effects longitudinal models with adjustment for age and gender, and an interaction for time by community, were run. Model based estimates were constructed for the entire cohort at each time period. Results: Over the first 6 years of the HONU Project,blood pressure, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were managed better in New Ulm than the matched comparison community. The proportion of New Ulm residents with controlled blood pressure increased by 6.2 percentage points while the control group increased by 2 points. 10-year ASCVD risk scores showed less decline for New Ulm residents than controls (16 vs. 18.4). The intervention and control groups did not differ with regard to inpatient stays, CVD events, smoking, or glucose. Conclusions: Compared to a matched control population, we found improved control of CVD risk factors in the New Ulm Population exposed to the HONU Project.


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