Correlation between hypertension and common carotid artery intima-media thickness in rural China: a population-based study

We aimed to explore the impact of blood pressure (BP) levels on atherosclerosis in a rural Chinese population with a low-education level, low income, high incidence of stroke, and high prevalence of hypertension. B-mode ultrasonography was used to measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in adults aged ≥ 45 years with no history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. A total of 5403 eligible subjects were included in this study. The mean CIMT was 0.57 mm overall, 0.58 mm for men and 0.56 mm for women. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and hypertension were significantly associated with increased CIMT. CIMT increased by 0.42 μm for every 1 mm Hg-increase in SBP (P < 0.001). The mean CIMT in participants with a history of hypertension was 17.42 μm greater than that in participants with no history of hypertension (P < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was a protective factor, as CIMT decreased by 0.44 μm with every 1 mm Hg-increase in DBP (P = 0.011).