Cardiovascular Risk In Adults Research Articles

Underprescribing of statin therapy in people with HIV at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

People with HIV (PWH) are at increased risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to guideline recommendations on statin use in PWH for both primary and secondary ASCVD prevention in a single healthcare institution. A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate statin use for cardiovascular risk reduction in PWH 40 to 75 years of age at an HIV clinic over a 1-year evaluation period. The study included patients who met one of the 4 criteria for statin therapy defined in the "ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults." Patient demographics were collected and a 10-year ASCVD risk score was calculated. A total of 432 PWH were evaluated for statin therapy; 205 patients (47.5%) met criteria for statin therapy. The majority of patients were male, the average age was 58 years, and the average time since HIV diagnosis was 19 years. The mean ASCVD risk score was 14.2%. Only 79 patients (38.5%) who met criteria were prescribed statin therapy, and only 45 (56.9%) were prescribed statin therapy of appropriate intensity. Use of ART pharmacokinetic enhancer was low and did not affect statin prescribing. Multivariable analysis found that age, diabetes, clinical ASCVD, and an appointment with a pharmacist clinician prescriber predicted statin utilization. A high ASCVD risk score (>20%) did not predict statin treatment. Statin prescribing is low in PWH, who are at increased risk for ASCVD. Future research in PWH should focus on improving ASCVD risk assessment and exploring causes for statin underprescribing.

Contribution of environmental factors and female reproductive history to hypertension and obesity incidence in later life

Background Hypertension (HT) and obesity, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, are complex traits determined by multiple biological and behavioural factors. However, the role of female reproductive history in evaluating HT and obesity is still unclear. Aim To investigate the long-term effects of reproductive factors on the probability of obesity and HT in later life after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors. Subjects and methods A total of 503 women (39 − 65 years) were recruited from different localities in Slovakia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations. Results Early menarche age of 11 years and under was associated with twice higher probability of obesity at midlife, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.35 − 3.81, p = 0.002). Breastfeeding (Bf) women had a lower likelihood of obesity in later life than non-Bf parous women, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 0.35, CI = 0.17 − 0.72, p = 0.004). Finally, age at menarche was associated with obesity-associated HT. Conclusion Reproductive factors are significantly associated with obesity and obesity-associated HT in later life. The age at menarche and Bf can be risk factors for early identification of women with increased likelihood of adult cardiovascular risk.

Hypertension in children and adolescents.

Definition and management of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents are uncertain, due to different positions of current guidelines. The European Society of Cardiology task-force, constituted by Associations and Councils with interest in arterial hypertension, has reviewed current literature and evidence, to produce a Consensus Document focused on aspects of hypertension in the age range of 6-16 years, including definition, methods of measurement of blood pressure, clinical evaluation, assessment of hypertension-mediated target organ damage, evaluation of possible vascular, renal and hormonal causes, assessment and management of concomitant risk factors with specific attention for obesity, and anti-hypertensive strategies, especially focused on life-style modifications. The Consensus Panel also suggests aspects that should be studied with high priority, including generation of multi-ethnic sex, age and height specific European normative tables, implementation of randomized clinical trials on different diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, and long-term cohort studies to link with adult cardiovascular risk. Finally, suggestions for the successful implementation of the contents of the present Consensus document are also given.

Isolated diastolic hypertension in childhood and risk of adult subclinical target organ damage: a 30-year prospective cohort study.

Background:Data on the association of isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) in childhood with adult cardiovascular risk are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IDH in adolescents and to explore the impact of IDH in childhood on adult subclinical target organ damage (STOD).Methods:This longitudinal study consisted of 1738 school children (55.4% boys) aged 6–15 years from rural areas of Hanzhong, Shaanxi, who were followed for 30 years. Their blood pressure was recorded to define the hypertension subtypes: normotension, IDH, isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and mixed hypertension. Tracked STOD included arterial stiffness (n = 1738), albuminuria (n = 1652) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (n = 1429).Results:Overall, the prevalence of IDH, ISH and mixed hypertension was 5.4, 2.2 and 3%, respectively, and there was no gender difference. Over 30 years, 366 (21.1%) of participants developed arterial stiffness, 170 (10.3%) developed albuminuria and 68 (4.8%) developed LVH. Compared with normotensive participants, IDH in childhood had higher risk ratio (RR) of experiencing arterial stiffness (RR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.01–2.76) and albuminuria (RR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.35–4.16) in adults after being fully adjusted but not LVH. However, if the elevated blood pressure in children was used as the reference standard, IDH in childhood was associated with adult LVH (RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.28–4.84).Conclusion:IDH accounts for a higher proportion of adolescent hypertension subtypes and can increase the risk of adult STOD. These results highlight the necessity of improving the prevention, detection and treatment of IDH in adolescents.

0560 Rest-Activity Rhythms are Associated with Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Obesity, and Central Adiposity in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults

Abstract Introduction Prior studies have linked rest-activity rhythms (RAR), a measure of circadian rhythmicity in the free-living setting, to morbidity and mortality. However, evidence is limited on the associations of RAR with adiposity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods Participants were 4,822 adults (age:≥20y) from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, who participated in the physical activity monitoring examination. Data from a wrist-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer were used to estimate non-parametric 24-h RAR variables. Logistic models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, smoking, and alcohol use were used to evaluate associations of RARs with prevalent CVD (self-reported), hypertension (blood pressure≥130/80mmHg or medication use), obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2), and central adiposity (waist circumference>102cm for men and >88cm for women). Results Participants (mean age: 48y, 53% female, 33% racial/ethnic minority) in the highest vs. lowest tertile of relative amplitude, indicative of more robust RAR, had lower odds of prevalent CVD (OR(95%CI):0.47(0.25-0.87)), hypertension (OR(95%CI):0.63(0.40-0.99)), obesity (OR(95%CI):0.50(0.36-0.69)), and central adiposity (OR(95%CI):0.50(0.36-0.69)). Those in the highest vs. lowest tertile of M10 counts, indicating a more active wake period, had 66%, 54%, and 39% lower odds of CVD, obesity, and central adiposity, respectively. In contrast, participants in the highest vs. lowest tertile of intradaily variability, indicative of more fragmented RARs, had >2-fold (OR(95%CI):2.40(1.23-4.70)) and 40% (OR(95%CI):1.40(95%CI:1.04-1.88)) higher CVD and obesity odds, respectively. Further, those in the highest vs. lowest tertile of L5 midpoint, indicative of a later sleep period, had 68% and 41% higher odds for CVD and hypertension, while those with higher L5 counts, indicative of less efficient sleep, had 72%, 57%, and 79% higher hypertension, obesity, and central adiposity odds, respectively. A statistically significant linear trend was observed across RAR tertiles for all associations (p-trend<0.05). Conclusion Robust RAR, an active wake period, and an earlier and more efficient sleep period are associated with lower odds for CVD, hypertension, obesity, and central adiposity, with evidence of a dose-response relationship. The timing, regularity, and periodicity of sleep-wake and rest-activity patterns may represent an important target for reducing cardiovascular risk in adults. Support (If Any) NHLBI R00-HL148511; AHA grant #855050

Cardiovascular risk and protective factors in adults with and without diabetes mellitus (Italy, 2016–19)

BackgroundCardiovascular (CV) diseases are a major cause of the disease burden worldwide and contribute substantially to health care costs, in particular in people with diabetes. Their incidence can be reduced by multi-factorial interventions. This study intends to describe the occurrence of CV risk and protective/preventive factors in the adult population resident in Italy, to better target public health interventions.MethodsData collected in 2016–19 from adults aged 18–69 years, participating in the Italian Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (PASSI) based on a cross-sectional design, were used. The frequency of CV risk/protective factors was estimated in people with and without diabetes. The contribution of socioeconomic level (SEL) to CV risk was also explored.ResultsAmong 129 989 respondents, 4.7% received a diagnosis of diabetes. Many CV risk factors were significantly more frequent in people with diabetes, who often presented multiple risk factors. At the same time, they adopted protective behaviours and received treatments and preventive interventions more often than those without diabetes. Relevant disparities were observed between SEL groups in diabetic people, with the least advantaged showing a worse risk profile.ConclusionsAdults resident in Italy with diabetes are exposed to CV risk factors more often than those without diabetes. However, they show an increased attention to control these factors and receive more frequent health care, although less than ideal in absolute terms. There is an opportunity to reduce the important CV disease burden in the population through preventive/health promotion targeted interventions, prioritizing people with diabetes and of lower SEL.

The Role of Urate in Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents and Young Adults With Hypertension, Assessed by Pulse Wave Velocity.

BackgroundUrate is increasingly recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor. It has been associated with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Its prognostic role is less clear. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between serum urate and pulse wave velocity, a measure of arterial stiffness in hypertensive adolescents and young adults.Methods269 adolescents and young adults with hypertension were included in the study. From all, anthropometric, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and serum urate measurements were made. Variables were compared between sex, participants with or without obesity and with or without elevated urate.ResultsIn multiple regression analysis for urate as dependent variable gender and diastolic pressure were found to be statistically significant. The difference between urate levels were found between boys and girls (p < 0.001), obese and non-obese (p < 0.001); however, pulse wave velocity did not differ between hyper- and eu-uricemic group (p = 0.162).ConclusionAssociations between urate, gender, diastolic blood pressure and obesity were confirmed, however, no significant associations between pulse wave velocity and urate were detected.

Dyslipidemia Diagnosis and Treatment: Risk Stratification in Children and Adolescents.

Dyslipidemias or dyslipoproteinemias are quantitative changes in total cholesterol concentration, respective fractions, or triglycerides in the plasma. Evidence supported that dyslipidemia in childhood is associated with atherosclerosis in adulthood, and early identification and treatment potentially reduce cardiovascular risk in adulthood, which is the principal cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Dyslipidemias can result from primary lipoprotein metabolism changes due to different genetic causes (primary dyslipidemias) or as a consequence of exogenous factors or other pathologies (secondary dyslipidemias). Therefore, the combined dyslipidemias result from the association of important epigenetic and environmental influences with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The criterion for lipid metabolism screening at young ages is not widely accepted and possibly follows a universal or directed screening strategy. Additionally, little is known about its long-term effects or possible risk-benefit despite the growing tendency to start pharmacological therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to review the available bibliography on dyslipidemia in pediatric age to present a practical and structured approach to dyslipidemia that focuses on screening, risk stratification for atherosclerotic disease, and therapeutic approach.

Secondary Prevention Using Cholesterol-Lowering Medications in Patients with Prior Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Background: Secondary prevention with lipid-lowering medications in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is known to reduce the risk of clinical events and death. Current guidelines codify recommendations for implementing secondary prevention in appropriate patients. However, in real-world practice, secondary prevention is frequently initiated only after the patient experiences a cardiovascular-related hospitalization. The impact of these delays is not well known.Objectives: To estimate the effects of delaying treatment on the risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization and on costs for patients who meet the criteria for secondary prevention as specified in the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines for Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis using Humana data. Eligible patients were categorized by treatment group: (1) patients who initiated treatment before an ASCVD-related hospitalization and (2) patients who either did not initiate treatment until after an ASCVD hospitalization or never initiated treatment. The associations between the timely initiation of cholesterol-lowering medications for secondary prevention and (1) the risk for an ASCVD hospitalization and (2) health-care costs over one year, were estimated using multivariate regressions.Results: A total of 272 899 secondary prevention patients were identified who met study selection criteria. Early treatment was associated with significant reductions in the risk of an ASCVD hospitalization at any time following the identification of the patient’s eligibility for secondary prevention (by 33% compared to those treated late or never, P<.0001), but was significantly associated with higher total cost over the first post-index year (by US $509, P<.001). Patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were >130 mg/dL experienced higher ASCVD hospitalization risks, and also larger risk reductions if treated before an ASCVD hospitalization compared to patients with lower LDL-C levels who were treated late or never treated.Conclusions: More widespread implementation of the treatment policies specified in the 2013 ACC/AHA Guidelines for secondary prevention should significantly reduce cardiovascular disease hospitalizations and reduce costs.

Secondary Prevention Using Cholesterol-Lowering Medications in Patients with Prior Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Background: Secondary prevention with lipid-lowering medications in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is known to reduce the risk of clinical events and death. Current guidelines codify recommendations for implementing secondary prevention in appropriate patients. However, in real-world practice, secondary prevention is frequently initiated only after the patient experiences a cardiovascular-related hospitalization. The impact of these delays is not well known. Objectives: To estimate the effects of delaying treatment on the risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization and on costs for patients who meet the criteria for secondary prevention as specified in the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines for Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis using Humana data. Eligible patients were categorized by treatment group: (1) patients who initiated treatment before an ASCVD-related hospitalization and (2) patients who either did not initiate treatment until after an ASCVD hospitalization or never initiated treatment. The associations between the timely initiation of cholesterol-lowering medications for secondary prevention and (1) the risk for an ASCVD hospitalization and (2) healthcare costs over one year, were estimated using multivariate regressions. Results: A total of 272 899 secondary prevention patients were identified who met study selection criteria. Early treatment was associated with significant reductions in the risk of an ASCVD hospitalization at any time following the identification of the patient’s eligibility for secondary prevention (by 33% compared to those treated late or never, P&lt;.0001), but was significantly associated with higher total cost over the first post-index year (by US $509, P&lt;.001). Patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were &gt;130 mg/dL experienced higher ASCVD hospitalization risks, and also larger risk reductions if treated before an ASCVD hospitalization compared to patients with lower LDL-C levels who were treated late or never treated. Conclusions: More widespread implementation of the treatment policies specified in the 2013 ACC/AHA Guidelines for secondary prevention should significantly reduce cardiovascular disease hospitalizations and reduce costs.

Arterial health during early childhood following abnormal fetal growth

BackgroundAbnormal fetal growth is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood. We investigated the effect of fetal programming on arterial health and morphology during early childhood.MethodsWe examined 90 children (median age 5.81 years, interquartile range: 5.67; 5.95), born small for gestational age with fetal growth restriction, large or appropriate for gestational age (SGA, N = 23, LGA, N = 19, AGA N = 48). We measured body composition, anthropometrics, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), lipids, glucose and inflammatory markers, and assessed carotid, brachial, radial and femoral arterial morphology and stiffness using very-high resolution ultrasound (46–71 MHz).ResultsLGA showed increased anthropometry, lean body mass and body mass index. SGA displayed decreased anthropometry and lean body mass. Blood pressure, PWV, carotid artery stiffness and blood work did not differ groupwise. Differences in lumen diameters, intima-media thicknesses (IMT) and adventitia thicknesses disappeared when adjusted for lean body mass and sex. In multiple regression models arterial dimensions were mainly predicted by lean body mass, with birth weight remaining associated only with carotid and brachial lumen dimensions, and not with IMTs. Carotid-femoral PWV was predicted by height and blood pressure only. No independent effect of adiposity was observed.ConclusionsArterial dimensions in childhood associate with current anthropometrics, especially lean body mass, and sex, explaining differences in arterial layer thickness. We found no signs of fetal programming of cardiovascular risk or arterial health in early childhood.

Secondary Prevention Using Cholesterol-Lowering Medications in Patients with Prior Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Background: Secondary prevention with lipid-lowering medications in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is known to reduce the risk of clinical events and death. Current guidelines codify recommendations for implementing secondary prevention in appropriate patients. However, in real-world practice, secondary prevention is frequently initiated only after the patient experiences a cardiovascular-related hospitalization. The impact of these delays is not well known. Objectives: To estimate the effects of delaying treatment on the risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization and on costs for patients who meet the criteria for secondary prevention as specified in the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines for Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis using Humana data. Eligible patients were categorized by treatment group: (1) patients who initiated treatment before an ASCVD-related hospitalization and (2) patients who either did not initiate treatment until after an ASCVD hospitalization or never initiated treatment. The associations between the timely initiation of cholesterol-lowering medications for secondary prevention and (1) the risk for an ASCVD hospitalization and (2) health-care costs over one year, were estimated using multivariate regressions. Results: A total of 272 899 secondary prevention patients were identified who met study selection criteria. Early treatment was associated with significant reductions in the risk of an ASCVD hospitalization at any time following the identification of the patient’s eligibility for secondary prevention (by 33% compared to those treated late or never, P&lt;.0001), but was significantly associated with higher total cost over the first post-index year (by US $509, P&lt;.001). Patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were &gt;130 mg/dL experienced higher ASCVD hospitalization risks, and also larger risk reductions if treated before an ASCVD hospitalization compared to patients with lower LDL-C levels who were treated late or never treated. Conclusions: More widespread implementation of the treatment policies specified in the 2013 ACC/AHA Guidelines for secondary prevention should significantly reduce cardiovascular disease hospitalizations and reduce costs.

Relationship between dietary energy intake, nutritional status and cardiovascular risk in adults from the communes of Quellón and Chonchi, Chiloé, Chile.

Behavioural and metabolic risk factors are responsible for the greatest burden of disease; an unhealthy diet, along with abdominal obesity, are risk factors related to Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Data concerning food patterns were determined by the application of an interview-type instrument, used to assess the daily and weekly frequency of consumption; cardiovascular risk was assessed using waist circumference, and nutritional status via Body Mass Index. Student's t test was applied to evaluate the differences between variables and the Pearson's chi-square test for the association of variables. Dietary energy intake (kcal/capita/day) was 3000 kcal, with an average distribution of 12.2% (proteins), 46.9% (carbohydrates), and 40.9% (total fats). The 78% of the sample suffered from malnutrition by excess. About 37.5% had Non-Communicable Diseases, with high blood pressure being the most frequent disease among both genders, with the highest prevalence among women, along with diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia. Depending on the nutritional status, the presence of obesity is associated with high cardiovascular risk (p = 0.000), greater energy availability (p = 0.012), and an increased occurrence of non-communicable diseases (p = 0.004). Malnutrition by excess figures support the global alert for obesity and overweight, which are considered to be a pandemic; in addition, Chiloé is not immune to the increasing trend of processed and ultra-processed food consumption.

Healthy Children - A Healthy Nation: Modern Approaches of Pediatricians to The Prevention of Childhood Diseases

The article investigates modern approaches in pediatrics to the prevention of childhood diseases. The author notes that today it is necessary to monitor the health of the younger generation, because in the future children should become full-fledged citizens of their country, and their health is a potential, which in the full sense of the word is the “building material” of the foundation of any state. It must be remembered that lifestyle-related variables and inadequate environment that surround children and adolescents can affect their cardiovascular health, which can cause serious health problems in the future. The connection between obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia in childhood and cardiovascular risk in adults is quite consistent, and it is possible to overcome the negative impact of the above factors if appropriate prevention programs for childhood diseases are developed already in childhood, within which not only medical professionals, but also parents and educational organizations should act

Stress and its Relationship to Cardiovascular Risk in Young Adults With Intellectual Disability

Stress produces many physiological changes, some of which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are exposed to multiple and stressful challenges everyday which may put them at increased cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to establish whether there is a relationship between stress and cardiometabolic profile among young adults with ID.

Association between birth in the stroke belt and late‐life cognition with assessment of socioeconomic and cardiovascular risk factors: The Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR)

AbstractBackgroundThe Southeastern U.S. (“Stroke Belt”) is known for high rates of cardiovascular diseases and cognitive impairment. Due to the high proportion of Black Americans born in the Stroke Belt and their elevated risk of cognitive impairment, we examined the relationship of birth in a Stroke Belt state with late‐life cognition in The Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR).MethodSTAR evaluated cognition in African Americans (N=764) ages 50+ who were long‐term Kaiser Permanente Northern California members. Participants completed Multiphasic Health Check‐ups (1964‐1985) at which early adulthood cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) of body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, and total cholesterol were measured. At STAR wave 1 (2018), participants self‐reported birth state (all participants resided in northern California by the 1980s), childhood and young adulthood socioeconomic status (SES), and completed cognitive assessments using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales (SENAS). We used linear regression to estimate the association between Stroke Belt birth state with cognition adjusting for birth year, gender, and parental education and evaluating SES and CVRF as potential mediators.ResultAfter exclusions for missing data, 27% (n=197) of 728 participants were born in a Stroke Belt state and mean age at cognitive assessment was 69 years (SD=9). Birth in a Stroke Belt state was associated with worse late‐life executive function (β(95% CI): ‐0.18(‐0.33, ‐0.02)) and semantic memory (β(95% CI): ‐0.37(‐0.53, ‐0.21)), but not verbal episodic memory, compared to individuals born elsewhere. Having 2+ SES risk factors (β(95% CI): ‐0.77(‐0.97, ‐0.56)) or 2+ CVRF (β(95% CI): ‐0.20(‐0.37, ‐0.03)) was associated with significantly worse executive function compared to having no SES or cardiovascular risk factors, respectively. Additionally, having 2+ SES risk factors (β(95% CI): ‐0.64(‐0.85, ‐0.43)) was associated with worse semantic memory. Associations of birth in a Stroke Belt state with executive function (β(95% CI): ‐0.07(‐0.23, 0.08)) and semantic memory (β(95% CI): ‐0.30(‐0.47, ‐0.14)) were attenuated after adjusting for SES and cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously (as well as individually).ConclusionBirth in a Stroke Belt state has lasting influence on cognitive function that is only partially mediated by childhood and early adulthood SES and cardiovascular risk factors.

A Systematic Review of the Long-Term Trajectory of Hemodynamics and Body Composition in Childhood Obesity.

Obesity has long been cited as a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, with long-term exposure linked with an increased incidence of carotid artery atherosclerosis. However, as obesity is becoming more common in young-aged children, it is important to recognize combinational factors like lifestyle, socioeconomic, and genetic factors as a cause. Increasing weight during childhood, on the other hand, is a clinically significant challenge for many physicians. It is critical to identify these risk factors since early prevention (primordial prevention) or treatment (primary prevention) to reverse the potential risks is much more likely to be effective. The objective of this review was to explore the relationship between lifestyle, anthropometric, and genetic factors and cardiometabolic risk factors. We are hopeful that our findings may aid in the primary prevention of hypertension in children and the prevention of any related cardiovascular complications that may arise later in life as a result of obesity. The synthesis of this systematic review includes a total of 15 studies using defined criteria, published up to October 2021. In addition, a total of 2,397 articles were found through an initial electronic database search and included a total of 38,182 participants. Studies explored included one or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors: body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). The findings of this study support the notion that childhood obesity may be a risk factor for a variety of adult cardiovascular disease risk factors. Several behavioral, genetic, and anthropometric factors are linked to the development of obesity during early ages, overall creating challenges in cardiovascular health during adulthood. As a result, addressing the risk factors for childhood hypertension would be advantageous for the primary prevention of its sequelae in adulthood.

Statin Intolerance and Noncompliance: An Empiric Approach

Statin Intolerance and Noncompliance: An Empiric Approach

Variant rs6749447 (T > G) in the serine threonine kinase gene is associated with cardiovascular complications, the Tampere adult population cardiovascular risk study.

We have previously shown an association of STK39 (serine threonine kinase) rs6749447 (T > G) with hypertension in the Tampere adult population cardiovascular risk study in 50-year-old subjects. These 1196 subjects were followed up to the age of 65 years to determine whether rs6749447 is also associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), transient ischemic attack (TIA), or early cardiovascular death.DNA samples were collected by buccal swabs and genotypes were determined by PCR. Hypertension, TIA, and CAD were determined by questionnaire and the National Hospital Discharge Registry. Outcomes for death were collected from the National Statistics Centre. Linkage disequilibrium analysis and gene expression correlations for rs6749447 were done in silico.After following the subjects up to the age of 60 years the rs6749447 G-allele still associated with hypertension (P = .009). The variation did not associate with CAD (P = .959). The risk for TIA was 5.2-fold among G-allele carriers compared to TT genotype even after adjusting for body mass index (P = .036, 95% CI 1.11-24.59). After follow-up of the subjects to the age of 65 years, adjusting for body mass index, the G-allele was associated with 3.2-fold risk of premature cardiovascular death (P = .049, 95% CI 1.00-10.01).In conclusion, the STK39 genetic variant rs6749447 was significantly associated with TIA and premature cardiovascular death in a Finnish cohort. The in silico results of linkage disequilibrium and gene expression analyses also showed associations that were distinct from the retention of salt effect on kidneys proposed earlier for this intronic variation.

Visceral fat and arterial stiffness in youth with healthy weight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Visceral fat is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in adults, but studies in youth are limited. We assessed associations between visceral fat and arterial stiffness in youth with healthy weight, obesity and type 2 diabetes and determined whether relationships were independent of clinical estimates of body fatness. This cross-sectional sample included youth ages 10-23 years (67% female, 56% non-black) with healthy weight (body mass index [BMI]=5th-85th percentile, n=236), obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile, n=224) and type 2 diabetes (BMI ≥ 95th percentile, n=145). Visceral fat was assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was assessed via applanation tonometry. Obesity and type 2 diabetes groups were combined for final analyses. Analyses accounted for age, sex, ancestry and mean arterial pressure. Visceral fat and PWV were greater in youth with obesity versus healthy weight (p < 0.001). In youth with obesity, but not healthy weight, visceral fat was positively associated with PWV (p < 0.001) and was predictive of PWV beyond BMI and waist circumference. Visceral fat likely contributes to subclinical cardiovascular complications in youth. Since cardiovascular health tracks from adolescence to adulthood, longitudinal studies in youth with obesity are required to define the role of visceral fat in lifelong cardiovascular disease risk.