Methods of vascular age estimation in young and middle-aged men with hypertension

Aim. To analyze the use of biological age calculators reflecting cardiac and vascular aging in young and middle-aged patients with hypertension (HTN).

Material and methods. A total of 205 young and middle-aged male patients (30-55 years) with office systolic blood pressure of 140-179 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90-109 mm Hg were examined. Anthropometric, laboratory, and imaging parameters were assessed. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 — body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m², Group 2 — 25≤ BMI <30 kg/m², and Group 3 — BMI ≥30 kg/m². Biological age was estimated using the Framingham risk score calculator and the QRISK3 calculator.

Results. When calculating cardiovascular age using the Framingham risk score calculator, patients with HTN were significantly older compared to those with isolated office hypertension (IOH) (p<0,001). Cardiovascular age calculated using the QRISK3 calculator was significantly (p<0,001) higher in patients with hypertension compared to those with IOH. Patients with HTN were characterized by significantly higher BMI (p<0,001), waist circumference (p<0,001) and hip circumference (p=0,008), common carotid artery intima-media thickness (p=0,013), estimated augmentation index in %, adjusted for heart rate of 75 bpm (Alp75) (p<0,001), vascular age (VA) (p=0,023), reflection index (RI) (p<0,001), cholesterol (p=0,72), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0,56), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (p<0,001), triglycerides (p<0,001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p=0,021), and a lower high-density lipoprotein (p=0,002) compared to individuals with IOH. A comparative analysis of biological age revealed significant differences in patients with HTN, which was significantly (p=0,006) higher in those with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² compared to those with a BMI <25 kg/m².

Conclusion. The obtained results confirm the contribution of HTN and obesity to the early vascular aging and, consequently, the entire body.

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