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Hypertensive retinopathy and incident coronary heart disease in high risk men.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Duncan, BB; Wong, TY; Tyroler, HA; Davis, CE; Fuchs, FD
Published in: Br J Ophthalmol
September 2002

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although routine ophthalmoscopy is recommended in the evaluation of people with hypertension, the prognostic significance of retinopathy is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine if hypertensive retinopathy predicts coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving 560 hypertensive, hyperlipidaemic, middle aged men enrolled in the Lipid Research Clinic's Coronary Primary Prevention Trial. Signs of hypertensive retinopathy (generalised and focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking, widened arteriolar light reflex, retinal haemorrhage and exudates, microaneurysms, and disc swelling) were evaluated by direct funduscopy during a baseline examination by study physicians. Incident CHD events were ascertained from hospital records, necropsy reports, and death certificates, and reviewed by a masked panel of cardiologists. RESULTS: There were 51 definite CHD events (definite CHD deaths or myocardial infarctions) during a median follow up of 7.8 years. After adjusting for age, blood pressure, electrocardiographic manifestations of left ventricular hypertrophy, cholesterol levels and treatment, glucose and creatinine levels, and smoking status in proportional hazards analysis, the presence of hypertensive retinopathy predicted a doubling of the risk of definite CHD events (relative risk 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 4.2 ). The presence of either generalised or focal arteriolar narrowing predicted almost a tripling of the risk (relative risk 2.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 6.2). Associations were similar for stage 1 hypertension (systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 140-159 and 90-99 mm Hg, respectively) and for other CHD end points. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive retinopathy predicts CHD in high risk men, independent of blood pressure and CHD risk factors. The data support the concept that retinal microvascular changes are markers of blood pressure damage and may be useful in risk stratification and in the tailoring of hypertension treatment decisions.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Br J Ophthalmol

DOI

ISSN

0007-1161

Publication Date

September 2002

Volume

86

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1002 / 1006

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Coronary Disease
  • 3212 Ophthalmology and optometry
 

Citation

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Duncan, B. B., Wong, T. Y., Tyroler, H. A., Davis, C. E., & Fuchs, F. D. (2002). Hypertensive retinopathy and incident coronary heart disease in high risk men. Br J Ophthalmol, 86(9), 1002–1006. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.86.9.1002
Duncan, B. B., T. Y. Wong, H. A. Tyroler, C. E. Davis, and F. D. Fuchs. “Hypertensive retinopathy and incident coronary heart disease in high risk men.Br J Ophthalmol 86, no. 9 (September 2002): 1002–6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.86.9.1002.
Duncan BB, Wong TY, Tyroler HA, Davis CE, Fuchs FD. Hypertensive retinopathy and incident coronary heart disease in high risk men. Br J Ophthalmol. 2002 Sep;86(9):1002–6.
Duncan, B. B., et al. “Hypertensive retinopathy and incident coronary heart disease in high risk men.Br J Ophthalmol, vol. 86, no. 9, Sept. 2002, pp. 1002–06. Pubmed, doi:10.1136/bjo.86.9.1002.
Duncan BB, Wong TY, Tyroler HA, Davis CE, Fuchs FD. Hypertensive retinopathy and incident coronary heart disease in high risk men. Br J Ophthalmol. 2002 Sep;86(9):1002–1006.

Published In

Br J Ophthalmol

DOI

ISSN

0007-1161

Publication Date

September 2002

Volume

86

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1002 / 1006

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Coronary Disease
  • 3212 Ophthalmology and optometry