MAJOR IMPACT PREDICTION CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: Apparently healthy young adults may have risk factors associated with arterial hypertension (HBP) and atherosclerosis. The objective was to evaluate the presence of HBP, obesity and other anthropometric or metabolic cardiovascular (CV) risk parameters in young adults and their association to inflammation connected blood count parameters, as possible earlier determinants for the path of CV future disease. Design and method: A sample of 250 students (76 men, 174 women; aged 22.1 ± 2.79 years; 94.8% Caucasians; 82.3% eutrophic) was studied. Body Mass Index (BMI Kg/m2), waist circumference (WC cm) and blood pressure (BP mmHg) were measured according to standard methods. Blood count parameters, glucose, cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides (mmol/L) determined according to standard hospital laboratory. Statistics: t-student, ANOVA or equivalent non-parametric, Chi-square and Pearson/Spearman correlations according normality distribution. Results: Most subjects (91.5%) had normal BP (mean ± SD systolic 116.7 ± 14.0; diastolic 69.6 ± 9.4). HBP frequency showed no differences between gender (p = 0.154), but an association between BMI (p < 0.000) with HBP was observed, as 92.9% of hypertensive patients were also obese or overweight. In male compared to women, higher glucose values (p = 0.000), BMI (p = 0.011) and WC (p = 0.000) but lower HDL values (p = 0.000) were observed. BMI and WC were also higher (respectively p = 0.005 and p = 0.004) in hypertensive subjects. WC adjusted for BMI was a risk factor for HBP (p = 0.043; OR = 1.059; 95% CI = 1.002–1.119). Regarding BMI classes (<18.5, 18.5–25, > 25) values were higher in overweight/obese subjects for the following ratios to HDL: monocytes (p = 0.045), monocytes X LDL (p = 0.006), platelets X LDL (p = 0.002), monocytes X platelets X LDL (p = 0.005), monocytes X platelets (0.032). In hypertensive subjects, monocyte X platelet to HDL ratio was higher (p = 0.03) compared to normotensive and a correlation was also observed between glucose and the following ratios to HDL: monocytes X LDL (p = 0.033), monocytes X platelets (p = 0.045) and monocytes X platelets X LDL (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Even in younger age groups a major impact prediction cardiovascular risk is possible. Anthropometric, metabolic and blood count parameters and its association could be early biomarkers associated with hypertension and should be considered as indicators of present and/or future cardiovascular disease.