Diabetes mellitus and hypertension in elderly African Americans: Are we meeting the recommended goals?

with at least 2 week interval. And at the third study visit, we measured 3 consecutive OBPs. baPWV was used to assess aortic stiffness and measured using a volume-plethysmographic device (form PWV/ABI; Colin Co., Ltd., Japan). Carotid PS was assessed using 7.5-MHz B-mode ultrasonography. Lesions with an Intima-media thickness 1.1mm were defined as atheromatous plaques. Its score was calculated as summing all plaque thicknesses in both carotid systems. The associations of PS with age, sex, height, body mass index, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking habits, baPWV, mean 3 consecutive OBPs (mean BP) and pulse pressure (mean PP) were assessed by multiple regression analysis. The table summarizes the results ( and p-values). Only baPWV show significant association with PS. In conclusion, baPWV is independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients. baPWV could be used as an alternative indicator to carotid PWV for assessing systemic atherosclerosis.