Estimation of metabolic burden within the concept of vascular ageing in hypertension (a study of the able-bodied population of a large industrial center)

The objective of the study was to assess the metabolic burden within the concept of vascular ageing in hypertension (HTN) based on the results the able-bodied population study of a large industrial center. Design and methods. A continuous non-randomized cross-sectional study was performed, it included the employees of two medium-sized industrial and commercial enterprises (n = 547). All subjects underwent a formalized medical questionnaire aimed at identifying cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms and signs of cardiovascular pathology, measuring blood pressure (BP), serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, creatinine and uric acid. Values for 10-year risk of fatal cardiovascular events, total cardiovascular risk, vascular age, and metabolic burden were calculated. Results. In the formed sample, the metabolic burden varied from 0.00 (0.00; 28.57) % in patients with low BP (without antihypertensive medication) to 42,86 (42,86; 57,14) % in patients with the 3rd degree HTN. Positive relationships were found between the magnitude of the metabolic burden, the level of systolic BP (R = 0,432; p < 0,01), diastolic BP (R = 0,360; p < 0,01), 10-year risk of fatal cardiovascular events (R = 0,777; p < 0,01) and total cardiovascular risk (R = 0,781; p < 0,01). Patients with HTN who achieved target BP differed from those with similar BP levels by higher metabolic burden values (p < 0,05). Conclusions. HTN is associated with an increase in metabolic burden, regardless of BP level achieved during treatment. Metabolic burden assessment may be useful in identifying potentially unfavorable HTN phenotypes.