Abstract:

Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess whether pre-hypertension creates cardiovascular risk. For this purpose, an atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk indicator is compared by measuring the epicardial fat thickness (EYK), carotis intima-media thickness (KIMK) and femoral intima-media thickness (FIMK) in hypertensive, pre-hypertensive and healthy populations. Method: The work is scheduled. If the systolic blood pressure (SKB) is between 120-140 and the diastolic blood pressure (DKB) is between 80-90 mmHg, pre-hypertension, SKB>140 and/or DKB>90 mmHg is defined as hypertension. Healthy volunteers were taken to the 1st group (57 individuals), prehypertensioners to the 2nd group (58 patients), and hypertensioners to the 3rd group (56 patients). The EYK, KIMK and FIMK were measured in each of the three groups and studied whether there were statistically meaningful differences between them. Results: Compared to EEA 3 groups, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0,001). There was also a statistically significant difference between 2 and 1 groups and between 3 and 2 groups (p<0,001, for both assessments). There was a statistically significant difference between 3 groups in the direction of KIMK (p<0,001). Similarly, there was a statistically significant difference between 2 and 1 groups, and between 3 and 2 groups (p<0,001, for both assessments). FIMK was statistically significantly different between each 3 groups (p<0,001). There is no difference between the 2nd and the 1st groups, while the 3rd and the 2nd are not significant. There were significant differences between the groups (p=0,773 and p=0,001, respectively) Result: These results may indirectly suggest that sub-clinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risks may be increased in prehypertensive patients. However, atherosclerosis in the carotic arteries may be affected at lower levels than blood pressure compared to atherosclerosis in the femoral arteries.