Among patients with hypertension, men had higher office blood pressure (145.7 vs 140.1 mmHg, p=0.032) and waist circumference (102.6 vs 98.0 cm, p=0.01) compared to women.
Cross-Sectional (n=222)
Do cardiometabolic profiles and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis differ between male and female patients with arterial hypertension?
Among patients with arterial hypertension, men display a more unfavorable cardiometabolic profile and greater subclinical atherosclerosis compared to women, who maintain a relatively protective profile until their sixth decade.
Objective: Patients with arterial hypertension frequently present with additional cardiovascular risk factors. The prevalence and impact of these factors differ between sexes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiometabolic profile of patients with hypertension and to explore potential sex-related differences. Design and method: Patients attending the hypertension outpatient clinic were included. Detailed medical histories were obtained, and anthropometric measurements, including waist circumference and body mass index, were recorded. Office blood pressure was measured. Glycemic and lipid profiles were assessed through standard biochemical analyses. Carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was measured using a 10-MHz ALOKA ultrasound device as an established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Results: A total of 222 patients with arterial hypertension were enrolled, including 93 women and 129 men. Men exhibited significantly higher office blood pressure levels (145.7 ± 18.1 vs 140.1 ± 18.3 mmHg, p = 0.032) and greater waist circumference (102.6 ± 9.45 vs 98.0 ± 11.7 cm, p = 0.01) compared with women. Conversely, women had significantly higher HDL cholesterol levels (53.4 ± 12.8 vs 41.8 ± 11.4 mg/dL, p < 0.001). No significant sex differences were observed in body mass index, smoking status, other lipid parameters, or the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Analysis of IMT across five-year age groups demonstrated consistently higher values in men up to the age of 60 years, after which the pattern appeared to reverse. Conclusions: Among patients with arterial hypertension, men display a more unfavorable cardiometabolic profile, including greater markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, whereas women maintain a relatively protective profile at least until the sixth decade of life. This favorable cardiometabolic profile in women appears to persist during the early postmenopausal period. Recognition of these sex-specific differences may assist clinicians in optimizing cardiovascular risk assessment and management.
Nikolaidou et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Arterial hypertension (n=222). Male sex vs. Female sex was evaluated on Cardiometabolic profile including office blood pressure, waist circumference, and HDL cholesterol. Among patients with hypertension, men had higher office blood pressure (145.7 vs 140.1 mmHg, p=0.032) and waist circumference (102.6 vs 98.0 cm, p=0.01) compared to women.