Effects of metabolic syndrome on the structure and function of carotid artery in patients with essential hypertension

Objective To investigate the effects of metabolic syndrome(MS) on the structure and function of carotid artery in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Methods 156 patients with EH were assigned to two groups: EH with MS (EH+MS) group, EH without MS (EH+nonMS) group. Thirty-one healthy subjects constituted the normal control (NC) group. The inner diameter, intima-media thickness (IMT), blood flow rate at the end phase of dilatation, rigidity of carotid artery,etc. were measured by Doppler ultrasonography. Results The inner diameter of carotid artery and IMT were significantly higher in EH+MS group than in EH+nonMS group and NC group(P0.05).The blood flow rate at the end phase of dilatation was significantly lower in EH+MS group than in EH+nonMS group and NC group(P0.05). The rigidity of carotid artery was EH+MS group EH+nonMS group NC group. Both IMT and time-average velocity product were highly related with age, systolic blood pressure and body mass index. Conclusion Metabolic syndrome promotes the arteriosclerotic development in patients with essential hypertension.