Study of intima-medial thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries as an indicator of natural atherosclerosis progress in Moscow population

Abstract

A cross-sectional study of intima-medial thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries in men and women in different age groups was performed as well as a prospective study of the dynamics of carotid IMT changes. It was shown that at the ages 40—70 years IMT is higher in men then in women, but at age after 70 such difference disappears due to acceleration of atherosclerosis progression in women, which starts after 58. Atherosclerosis progresses at uneven rate, both in men and women, and there are age periods characterized with different rate of IMT progression. In women, the most active progression of atherosclerosis starts 8 years later than in men, and is associated with the onset of late menopausal period.