Carotid artery elasticity in young men with arterial hypertension

Aim. To compare the wall rigidity of common carotid artery (CCA), assessed by ultrasound (US), in young men with arterial hypertension (AH). Material and methods. The study included young men aged 18-25 years (mean age 22 years): 25 with normal blood pressure (BP) during office visits and 24-hour BP monitoring (BPM), 11 with white coat AH (WCAH), and 23 with AH. Intima-media thickness (IMT) was examined by B-mode US, maximal systolic and minimal diastolic diameters - by M-mode US. Elasticity and dispensability coefficients, Peterson's elasticity module, Young module, and flow deformation index were calculated. Results. In AH patients, IMT levels and CCA wall rigidity were higher than in Young men with normal BP or WCAH. Conclusion. In young men aged 18-25 years, AH, confirmed by office measurement and 24-hour BPM, was associated with carotid artery remodelling and reduced elasticity.