title: Elevated LDL-C combined with hypertension worsens subclinical vascular impairment and cognitive function.
abstract: Hypertension and dyslipidemia belong to the most prevalent modifiable risk factors for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Hereby, we aimed to examine the combined effects of newly diagnosed hypertension and hyperlipidemia on the characteristics of the arterial wall and on cognitive function. We examined 72 hypertensive and 85 apparently healthy individuals. Based on serum lipid levels, four subgroups were created ranging from normotensive-normolipidemic to hypertensive-hyperlipidemic subjects. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), arterial stiffness, and cognitive function were assessed. IMT of controls was the lowest, whereas that of patients with both risk factors the highest. Stiffness parameters increased when both risk factors were present, whereas subjects with only one risk factor exhibited intermediate values. Hypertensive patients performed worse when memory, attention, reaction time, and trait anxiety were assessed. Significant worsening of IMT, arterial stiffness, and sum of neuropsychological scores was observed along with increasing mean arterial pressure. Generally, hyperlipidemia combining with hypertension resulted in further worsening of all examined parameters. Subclinical changes of the vascular wall and cognitive performance are already present in recently diagnosed hypertensive patients. Combination of hyperlipidemia and hypertension results in more severe impairments, therefore, early and intensive treatment may be crucial to prevent further deterioration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. Electronic address: kovacskatireka@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Katalin Réka
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mureş County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Târgu-Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bajkó
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Elisabeth Teaching Hospital of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary.
authors.forename: Csilla Cecília
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Szekeres
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Krisztina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Csapó
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oláh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Mária Tünde
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Magyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Elisabeth Teaching Hospital of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary.
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molnár
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Dániel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Czuriga
authors.affiliation: Contract Medical Statistician, Kenézy Gyula Hospital, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kardos
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Andrea Bojtor
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Burainé
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Dániel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bereczki
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology, Medical Faculty Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Pál
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soltész
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Csiba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL
keywords: Arterial stiffness; cardiovascular risk factors; intima-media thickness; neuropsychological performance