Does Grade I Hypertension Has Effect on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness?

"nIntroduction: Because carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as measured by ultrasound, is a good indicator of subclinical atherosclerotic disease and,it can represent target organ damage, we studied 40 never-treated grade I hypertensive subjects aged 20 to 60 years and 50 normotensive control subjects to define the rate of increase in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). "nMaterials and Methods: This was a case-control study of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as measured by ultrasound, in 40 never-treated grade I hypertensive subjects aged 20 to 60 years and compared to 50 normotensive control subjects. Carotid ultrasound examinations were performed bilaterally using the MyLab20 scanner equipped with a 7.5-12.5 MHz linear array transducer (Esaote). IMT was assessed as mean IMT and as maximum IMT in the right and left common carotid artery, the carotid bulb and the internal carotid artery. "nResults: The mean IMT was significantly higher in all the carotid artery segments of hypertensive subjects (n=40) compared with normotensive control subjects (n=50). "nConclusion: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and conclusively subclinical atherosclerotic disease and target organ damage is much more pronounced than normotensive patients in grade 1 hypertention. "nKey words: hypertension, carotid artery disease, atherosclerosis, ultrasound.