Socioeconomic Status and Subclinical Atherosclerosis

See related article, p 954.In the recent decades, we have experienced large reductions in the prevalence of several major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including hypertension and dyslipidemia along with improved medical management for stroke and CVD, and large reductions in CVD-related morbidity and mortality.1 These health improvements have been accompanied by gains in income and education although a widening of the socioeconomic status (SES) gap has occurred.2 However, the improved stroke CVD health status may not exist across all segments of society3,4 and which groups lack the health benefits largely remains unknown. In addition to traditional CVD risk factors and genetics, SES is likely one of the most critical determinants of CVD, but the mechanism by which SES influence CVD health remains unexplained. Furthermore, trends in SES factors have yet to be carefully examined in relation to health to plan appropriate actions to close gaps in SES-related health disparities.Education, occupation, and income are some of the important SES indicators that have been associated with CVD in numerous studies.5,6 Adverse socioeconomic position across the life-course increases CVD risk7,8; therefore, identification of preclinical disease is important for early detection and prevention of CVD and stroke. Yet little information is available on …