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Hypertensive retinopathy as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease

Publication ,  Journal Article
McIntosh, RL; Wong, TY
Published in: Geriatrics and Aging
June 1, 2006

Hypertensive retinopathy has long been regarded as a risk indicator of mortality in persons with severe hypertension, but its value in contemporary clinical practice is uncertain. New population-based studies now show that hypertensive retinopathy signs are common in the general population of adults age 40 and older, including persons without a clinical diagnosis of hypertension. Some hypertensive retinopathy signs are associated not only with concurrent blood pressure levels, but with past blood pressure levels as well, suggesting that they reflect chronic hypertensive damage. Mild hypertensive retinopathy, such as generalised and focal retinal arteriolar narrowing and arteriovenous nicking, are only weakly associated with cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, moderate hypertensive retinopathy, such as retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots, and microaneurysms, are strongly associated with both subclinical and clinical cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and congestive heart failure. Thus, a clinical assessment of hypertensive retinopathy signs in older persons may provide useful information for cardiovascular risk stratification.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Geriatrics and Aging

ISSN

1488-8408

Publication Date

June 1, 2006

Volume

9

Issue

6

Start / End Page

408 / 412

Related Subject Headings

  • General & Internal Medicine
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
McIntosh, R. L., & Wong, T. Y. (2006). Hypertensive retinopathy as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease. Geriatrics and Aging, 9(6), 408–412.
McIntosh, R. L., and T. Y. Wong. “Hypertensive retinopathy as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease.” Geriatrics and Aging 9, no. 6 (June 1, 2006): 408–12.
McIntosh RL, Wong TY. Hypertensive retinopathy as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease. Geriatrics and Aging. 2006 Jun 1;9(6):408–12.
McIntosh, R. L., and T. Y. Wong. “Hypertensive retinopathy as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease.” Geriatrics and Aging, vol. 9, no. 6, June 2006, pp. 408–12.
McIntosh RL, Wong TY. Hypertensive retinopathy as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease. Geriatrics and Aging. 2006 Jun 1;9(6):408–412.

Published In

Geriatrics and Aging

ISSN

1488-8408

Publication Date

June 1, 2006

Volume

9

Issue

6

Start / End Page

408 / 412

Related Subject Headings

  • General & Internal Medicine
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences