Serum lipids and lipoproteins and carotid artery wall intimamedia thickness in a population of menopausal women

Objective: To assess the influence of aging on serum lipids and lipoprotein s in menopausal women and to determine whether arterial hypertension can de termine carotid artery wall intima-media thickening in these subjects. Design: We assessed cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, trigl ycerides, and carotid artery wall intima-media thickness in 729 menopausal women aged 40-65 years, divided into four age groups (40-45 years, 46-50 ye ars, 51-55 years, and 56-60 years). Results: Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins rose progressively in the different age groups. Carotid wall thickness also increased and was more evident when accompanied by arterial hypertension. Conclusions: Our results suggest that elevated serum lipids and lipoprotein s an interrelated with increased carotid artery wall intima-media thickness . Moreover, they showed the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. (C) 19 99, The North American Menopause Society.