Atherosclerosis of carotid arteries and abdominal aorta in young and middle-aged patients with abdominal obesity

Abstract

Prevalence and magnitude of carotid arteries (CA) and abdominal aorta (AA) atherosclerosis, together with endothelial vasculo-reactive function (EVRF), were investigated in 147 patients with overweight and obesity and 27 controls. Manifested CA and AA atherosclerosis was observed in overweight and obese participants, but not in controls. Atherosclerotic CA and AA changes were related to body mass index, gender, age, arterial hypertension and lipid profile. EVRF was disturbed in 86 % of overweight individuals and in 94 % of obese patients.

Keywords

• atherosclerosis
• carotid arteries
• abdominal aorta
• obesity
• endothelial dysfunction