Objective: To analyze the relationship between normal high blood pressure and carotid artery atherosclerosis.
Methods: This epidemiological survey was performed in two communities of Shijingshan District of Beijing from 2007 to 2008. A total of 3 324 people were enrolled in the study and 2 895 people with carotid ultrasound survey results were analyzed. Blood lipids, blood pressure, hs-CRP, body mass index (BMI) and other cardiovascular risk factors were obtained. Carotid mean intima-media thickness (IMT) , maximum carotid IMT and carotid plaque were measured by ultrasound. A multiple logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between normal high blood pressure and carotid artery atherosclerosis.
Results: The carotid mean IMT, maximum IMT, incidence of carotid artery plaque increased in proportion to blood pressure level (all P < 0.01) . After adjusting for diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased hs-CRP, smoking, sex, age, overweight and obesity, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the OR values of carotid mean IMT and maximum IMT thickening, carotid plaque in high normal blood pressure group were 4.50 (95% CI: 1.04-19.49, P < 0.05), 1.73 (95% CI: 1.35-2.22, P < 0.01), 1.64 (95% CI:1.26-2.13, P < 0.01) compared to normal blood pressure group.
Conclusion: High normal blood pressure is related with higher risk of carotid artery atherosclerosis in this cohort.