Association Between Ideal Cardiovascular Health and Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness: A Twin Study

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association (AHA) recently developed the Cardiovascular Health Index (CVHI), a health metric consisting of 7 modifiable risk factors. The relationship of the CVHI with preclinical markers, such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has not been assessed. METHODS: We examined 490 male monozygotic and dizygotic twins without overt cardiovascular disease. CIMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Each of the 7 CVHI components (blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, body mass index, physical activity, healthy diet, and smoking) was given a point score of 0, 1, or 2 to represent poor, intermediate, or ideal health, respectively. A CVHI summation score was computed (range 0 to 14) and categorized as inadequate (0 to 4), average (5 to 9), or optimum (10 to 14) cardiovascular health. Mixed-model regression was used to examine the association of the CVHI with CIMT. RESULTS: The mean age of the twins was 55.4 years, and 61% were monozygotic. The mean CIMT was 0.75 (± 0.11) mm and the mean CVHI score was 7.7 (± 2.1). There was an inverse correlation between CVHI and CIMT (Spearman r=-0.22, P<0.01). For every 5-unit increase in overall CVHI score (indicating better cardiovascular health category), CIMT decreased by 0.045 mm (P<0.001) after adjusting for demographic variables and other confounders. Within monozygotic twin pairs, a 5-unit increment in CVHI score was associated with a 0.05 mm lower CIMT (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The CVHI is independently associated with CIMT and the association is not confounded by shared genetic and other familial factors.

Source: Journal of the American Heart Association

DOI: 10.1161/jaha.113.000282

Authors: Ambar Kulshreshtha, Abhinav Goyal, Emir Veledar, William McClellan, Suzanne Judd, Silvia C. Eufinger, J. Douglas Bremner, Jack Goldberg, Viola Vaccarino

Institutions: Emory University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Atlanta VA Medical Center, University of Washington

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,810

Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, American Heart Association, Emory University, Temple University, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

OpenAlex ID: W2096629591