Associations among androgens, estrogens, and natriuretic peptides in young women: observations from the Dallas Heart Study.

Objectives: We sought to determine if natriuretic peptides are associated with estrogen and androgen status in a population study of young women without known cardiac disease.

Background: Circulating concentrations of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) are higher in women than in men, and they may be influenced by estrogens and androgens.

Methods: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, dual energy X-ray absorbtiometry, and measurements of BNP, NT-proBNP, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), were performed in 682 women (ages 35 to 49 years) participating in the Dallas Heart Study.

Increased cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes in Dallas County.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem in the United States. We assess the prevalence of diabetes in Dallas County, quantify the association between diabetes and subclinical cardiovascular disease, and assess the use of evidence-based cardiovascular disease risk-modifying therapies.

Methods: This study uses data from 3392 participants aged 30 to 65 years from the Dallas Heart Study, a probability-based, multiethnic sample of residents living in Dallas County, Texas.

Relationship between C-reactive protein and subclinical atherosclerosis: the Dallas Heart Study.

Background: Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with increased risk for incident cardiovascular events on the basis of observations from several prospective epidemiological studies. However, less is known regarding the relationship between CRP levels and atherosclerotic burden.

Methods And Results: We measured CRP in 3373 subjects 30 to 65 years of age who were participating in the Dallas Heart Study, a multiethnic, population-based, probability sample.

Relation of coronary atherosclerosis determined by electron beam computed tomography and plasma levels of n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in a multiethnic population-based sample (the Dallas Heart Study).

Elevated plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are seen in the setting of cardiac ischemia and are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. The mechanisms leading to natriuretic peptide elevation in patients with coronary artery disease, including the contribution of coronary atherosclerosis itself, have not been fully elucidated. Measurement of NT-pro-BNP, electron beam computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were performed in 2,445 subjects from the Dallas Heart Study who were free of heart failure and renal insufficiency.

Impact of body mass and body composition on circulating levels of natriuretic peptides: results from the Dallas Heart Study.

Background: The association between higher body mass index (BMI) and lower B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is thought to be mediated by expression of the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor (NPR-C) in adipose tissue. To explore this association, we tested 2 hypotheses: (1) that N-terminal (NT)-proBNP, which is not believed to bind NPR-C, would not be associated with BMI and (2) that lower BNP would be more closely associated with fat mass than with lean mass.

Methods And Results: Measurements of BNP, NT-proBNP, and body composition by direct dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were performed in 2707 subjects from the Dallas Heart Study.

Race and gender differences in C-reactive protein levels.

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether there are race and gender differences in the distribution of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Background: Few data are available comparing CRP distributions in different race and gender groups. Recent clinical practice recommendations for CRP testing for cardiovascular risk assessment suggest a uniform threshold to define high relative risk (>3 mg/l).