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Arterial wall structure and function, an important determinant of cardiovascular (CV) disease, are influenced by CV risk factors, especially high levels of blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). However, the differential impact of these two risk factors on arterial structure and function in healthy, asymptomatic younger adults is not clear. This aspect was examined in 1003 black and white adults aged 23-43 years enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) (an average of common, bulb and internal carotid on both sides) and aorta-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured by B-mode ultrasound were used as indicators of artery structure and function. Values of IMT (0.83 mm) and PWV (5.4 m/sec) in blacks were significantly higher than IMT (0.80 mm) and PWV (5.2 m/sec) in whites, respectively (p

That cardiovascular (CV) risk variable levels tend to track in the same ranking over time is well recognized. However, information on tracking of CV risk variables over a long period of time from childhood to adulthood and the changes in tracking with increasing intervals is limited. This aspect was examined in a biracial (black-white) cohort of 7770 individuals (63% white, 46% male) who were examined repeatedly 2-12 times with 31500 observations over an average follow-up period of 12 years (range: 1-28 years). Pearson correlations of pairs of two consecutive values measured 1 to 28 years apart decreased progressively regardless of risk variables as the intervals between the two observations increased. Intraclass correlation, an overall measure of tracking, was estimated using 4 serial measurements over 20-25 years, 2 in childhood (4-17 years), and 2 in adulthood (18-43 years). Body mass index showed the greatest intraclass correlation (0.74 for whites; 0.73 for blacks), followed, in order, by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.56; 0.58), systolic blood pressure (0.43; 0.38), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.35; 0.36), diastolic blood pressure (0.30; 0.34), and triglycerides (0.36; 0.28). Both the Pearson and intraclass correlations of all risk variables did not differ by race and sex groups and remained essentially the same when adjusted for body mass index. Thus, CV risk variables measured in childhood are predictive of adulthood levels over a period of 2-3 decades. These results underscore the value of measuring childhood CV risk variables in identification of high-risk individuals, which is important for early prevention and intervention.

Cigarette smoking, an established cardiovascular (CV) disease risk factor, is known to adversely influence atherosclerosis and its relationship to other risk factors in middle-aged and older adults. However, information is limited in this regard in younger adults. This aspect was examined in a sample of 697 cigarette smokers and 311 nonsmokers, aged 25-44 years, from a biracial (black-white) community. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate measure of coronary atherosclerosis, was measured by B-mode ultrasonography to obtain the mean value of far wall readings of carotid artery segments (common, bulb, internal) on both sides. Smokers vs nonsmokers showed lower levels of body mass index (27.1 vs 29.5 kg/m2, p