Association of Alk1 and Endoglin Polymorphisms with Cardiovascular Damage.

Cardiovascular diseases are associated to risk factors as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The transforming growth factor-β1 receptors ALK1 and endoglin regulate blood pressure and vascular homeostasis. However, no studies relate the association of ALK1 and endoglin polymorphisms with cardiovascular risk factors.

Effects of metabolic syndrome on arterial function in different age groups: the Advanced Approach to Arterial Stiffness study.

Objective: The aim of the Advanced Approach to Arterial Stiffness study was to compare arterial stiffness measured simultaneously with two different methods in different age groups of middle-aged and older adults with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS). The specific effects of the different MetS components on arterial stiffness were also studied.

Methods: This prospective, multicentre, international study included 2224 patients aged 40 years and older, 1664 with and 560 without MetS.

Effects of kiwi consumption on plasma lipids, fibrinogen and insulin resistance in the context of a normal diet.

Background And Aims: Among fruits, kiwi is one of the richest in vitamins and polyphenols and has strong anti-oxidant effects. We aimed to analyze the relationship between the consumption of kiwi and plasma lipid values, fibrinogen, and insulin resistance in adults within the context of a normal diet and physical-activity.

Methods: Cross-sectional study.

Information and communication technologies for approaching smokers: a descriptive study in primary healthcare.

Background: Common interventions for smoking cessation are based on medical advice and pharmacological aid. Information and communication technologies may be helpful as interventions by themselves or as complementary tools to quit smoking. The objective of the study was to determine the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the smoking population attended in primary care, and describe the major factors associated with its use.

Glycemic index, glycemic load, and pulse wave reflection in adults.

Background And Aims: Diets with a high glycemic index (GI), high glycemic load (GL), or both, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study examined the association of GI and GL in a regular diet with the peripheral augmentation index (i.e.

Association between fat amount of dairy products with pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness in adults.

Background: Examine the relation between consumption of low-fat vs. whole-fat dairy products with the carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity.

Methods: Cross-sectional and multi-center study.

Association between smoking status and the parameters of vascular structure and function in adults: results from the EVIDENT study.

Background: The present study analyses the relation between smoking status and the parameters used to assess vascular structure and function.

Methods: This cross-sectional, multi-centre study involved a random sample of 1553 participants from the EVIDENT study.

Measurements: The smoking status, peripheral augmentation index and ankle-brachial index were measured in all participants.

Association of television viewing time with central hemodynamic parameters and the radial augmentation index in adults.

Background: We conducted a study to explore the relationship between television viewing time and central hemodynamic parameters and the radial augmentation index (AIx) in adults.

Methods: Random sampling was used to select 732 individuals who attended primary-care centers as subjects for the study. The self-reported time that these individuals spent in viewing television was elicited with a questionnaire and included the number of hours that they spent watching television while sitting or lying down.

Relationship of 24-h blood pressure variability with vascular structure and function in hypertensive patients.

Objectives: To analyze the relationship of 24-h blood pressure variability (BPV) with vascular structure and function using the SD and the coefficient of variation (CV).

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 344 hypertensive patients (aged 54.1±11.

Comparison of two measuring instruments, B-pro and SphygmoCor system as reference, to evaluate central systolic blood pressure and radial augmentation index.

A comparison is made of central aortic systolic pressure (CASP) and the radial augmentation index (rAIx) estimated with the B-Pro device and SphygmoCor (as reference) in 104 healthy Caucasians without drug treatment, together with an analysis of the relationship between CASP and rAIx, and arterial stiffness. Peripheral and central blood pressure, and the rAIx were measured with B-pro and SphygmoCor, with determination of the central augmentation index (CAIx), pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the ankle-brachial index (ABI). rAIx as determined with B-Pro was greater than measured with SphygmoCor (5.

Ambulatory arterial stiffness indices and target organ damage in hypertension.

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate which arterial stiffness parameter - AASI or the home arterial stiffness index (HASI) - correlates best with vascular, cardiac and renal damage in hypertensive individuals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 258 hypertensive patients. AASI and HASI were defined as the 1-regression slope of diastolic over systolic blood pressure readings obtained from 24-hour recordings and home blood pressure over 6 days.

Yearly evolution of organ damage markers in diabetes or metabolic syndrome: data from the LOD-DIABETES study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease morbidity-mortality is greater in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the yearly evolution of organ damage markers in diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and to analyze the associated factors.

Methods: An observational prospective study was carried out in the primary care setting, involving 112 patients: 68 diabetics and 44 subjects with metabolic syndrome, subjected to 12 months of follow-up.

Relationship between ambulatory arterial stiffness index and subclinical target organ damage in hypertensive patients.

Increased arterial stiffness has been shown to predict cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and subclinical organ damage (SOD). The design was a cross-sectional study.

Physical exercise, fitness and dietary pattern and their relationship with circadian blood pressure pattern, augmentation index and endothelial dysfunction biological markers: EVIDENT study protocol.

Background: Healthy lifestyles may help to delay arterial aging. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of physical activity and dietary pattern to the circadian pattern of blood pressure, central and peripheral blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, carotid intima-media thickness and biological markers of endothelial dysfunction in active and sedentary individuals without arteriosclerotic disease.

Design: A cross-sectional multicenter study with six research groups.

Central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity: relationship to target organ damage and cardiovascular morbidity-mortality in diabetic patients or metabolic syndrome. An observational prospective study. LOD-DIABETES study protocol.

Background: Diabetic patients show an increased prevalence of non-dipping arterial pressure pattern, target organ damage and elevated arterial stiffness. These alterations are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.The objectives of this study are the following: to evaluate the prognostic value of central arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity in relation to the incidence and outcome of target organ damage and the appearance of cardiovascular episodes (cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, chest pain and stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome.

Pulse pressure and nocturnal fall in blood pressure are predictors of vascular, cardiac and renal target organ damage in hypertensive patients (LOD-RISK study).

Objectives: To analyse the relationship between various parameters derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and vascular, cardiac and renal target organ damage.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study. It included 353 patients with short-term or recently diagnosed hypertension.

Therapeutic implications of selecting the SCORE (European) versus the D'AGOSTINO (American) risk charts for cardiovascular risk assessment in hypertensive patients.

Background: No comparisons have been made of scales estimating cardiovascular mortality and overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study objectives were to assess the agreement between the Framingham-D'Agostino cardiovascular risk (CVR) scale and the chart currently recommended in Europe (SCORE) with regard to identification of patients with high CVR, and to describe the discrepancies between them and the attendant implications for the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

Methods: A total of 474 hypertensive patients aged 40-65 years monitored in primary care were enrolled into the study.