Cardiovascular risk profile of asymptomatic healthy young adults with increased femoral artery intima-media thickness: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

ABSTRACT Background Femoral artery intima-media thickness (IMT), like carotid IMT, is a surrogate indicator of atherosclerotic coronary and peripheral vascular diseases in middle-aged and older adults. This study examined the cardiovascular disease risk profile of asymptomatic young adults with increased femoral artery IMT. Methods Femoral artery IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography in 1080 black and white subjects (aged 24-43 years; 71% white, 43% male) enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Individuals versus bottom fifth (n = 54) percentiles distribution of femoral IMT were compared for traditional cardiovascular risk factors profile. Univariate analysis compared the two groups, t -tests and χ 2 tests were performed. Results The top and bottom fifth percentiles of IMT differed with respect to age ( P P P P P P P P  = 0.01). Conclusion The observed adverse effect of cardiovascular risk factors on IMT of femoral artery, a surrogate measure of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis, in asymptomatic young individuals underscores the need for risk factors profiling in early life. These observations have important implications in preventive medicine.