Methods of vascular age estimation in young and middle-aged men with hypertension

Aim . To analyze the use of biological age calculators reflecting cardiac and vascular aging in young and middle-aged patients with hypertension (HTN). Material and methods . A total of 205 young and middle-aged male patients (30-55 years) with office systolic blood pressure of 140-179 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90-109 mm Hg were examined. Anthropometric, laboratory, and imaging parameters were assessed. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 — body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m 2 , Group 2 — 25≤ BMI <30 kg/m 2 , and Group 3 — BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 . Biological age was estimated using the Framingham risk score calculator and the QRISK3 calculator. Results . When calculating cardiovascular age using the Framingham risk score calculator, patients with HTN were significantly older compared to those with isolated office hypertension (IOH) (p<0,001). Cardiovascular age calculated using the QRISK3 calculator was significantly (p<0,001) higher in patients with hypertension compared to those with IOH. Patients with HTN were characterized by significantly higher BMI (p<0,001), waist circumference (p<0,001) and hip circumference (p=0,008), common carotid artery intima-media thickness (p=0,013), estimated augmentation index in %, adjusted for heart rate of 75 bpm (Alp75) (p<0,001), vascular age (VA) (p=0,023), reflection index (RI) (p<0,001), cholesterol (p=0,72), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0,56), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (p<0,001), triglycerides (p<0,001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p=0,021), and a lower high-density lipoprotein (p=0,002) compared to individuals with IOH. A comparative analysis of biological age revealed significant differences in patients with HTN, which was significantly (p=0,006) higher in those with a BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 compared to those with a BMI <25 kg/m 2 . Conclusion . The obtained results confirm the contribution of HTN and obesity to the early vascular aging and, consequently, the entire body.