Cardiol Res

Cardiology Research, ISSN 1923-2829 print, 1923-2837 online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Cardiol Res and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website https://cr.elmerpub.com

Original Article

Volume 16, Number 3, June 2025, pages 202-211

Progression of Atherosclerosis and Hypothesis on the Relationship Between Microvascular Dysfunction, Cardiovascular Risk, and Cancer

**Table 1.** Baseline Characteristics of All Subjects by Risk Groups
Characteristics	Male, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa	Male, type III, IVb	P value	Female, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa	Female type, III, IVb	P value
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; CABG: coronary artery bypass grafting; CVD: cardiovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; MACE: major adverse cardiovascular event; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; PTCA: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	2,052	540		1,761	167
Age	50 ± 7	54 ± 6	< 0.0001	50 ± 7	55 ± 6	< 0.0001
BMI, kg/m²	27.47 ± 4.08	27.94 ± 4.20	0.002	25.40 ± 4.68	26.02 ± 4.72	0.101
Current smoker	458 (22.3%)	238 (43.5%)	< 0.0001	339 (19.3%)	79 (47.3%)	< 0.0001
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	150 ± 33	159 ± 40	< 0.0001	143 ± 33	160 ± 40	0.002
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	51 ± 12	48 ± 11	0.001	65 ± 15	63 ± 14	0.116
Triglycerides, mg/dL	170 ± 117	188 ± 123	0.001	112 ± 58	143 ± 71	0.005
SBP, mm Hg	126 ± 15	135 ± 19	< 0.0001	122 ± 16	131 ± 19	0.0002
DBP, mm Hg	82 ± 8	84 ± 10	< 0.0001	78 ± 9	86 ± 12	0.143
Diabetes mellitus	76 (3.7%)	47 (8.6%)	< 0.0001	25 (1.4%)	11 (6.6%)	0.009
Antihypertensive therapy	440 (21.4%)	206 (37.7%)	< 0.0001	318 (18.1%)	80 (47.9%)	< 0.0001
Positive family history	450 (21.9%)	159 (29.1%)	0.034	485 (27.5%)	65 (38.9%)	< 0.0001
PROCAM risk	6.5±6.5%	14.4±11.1%	< 0.0001	1.5±2.4%	5.1±5.4%	< 0.0001
TPA, mm²	32 ± 33	150 ± 64	< 0.0001	16 ± 24	123 ± 63	< 0.0001
Max. plaque thickness, mm	1.7 ± 0.5	2.9 ± 0.8	< 0.0001	1.6 ± 0.4	3.1 ± 0.6	< 0.0001
Event (MACE, CABG, PTCA, stenosis)	60 (2.9%)	128 (23.4%)	< 0.0001	4 (0.2%)	13 (7.8%)	< 0.0001
Carcinoma	21 (1.0%)	34 (6.2%)	< 0.0001	12 (0.7%)	3 (1.8%)	0.289
Follow-up, months (min. - max.)	73 (3 - 156)	74 (3 - 145)	0.032	74 (2 - 155)	75 (2 - 139)	0.836
Death of all causes	14 (0.7%)	42 (7.7%)	< 0.0001	6 (0.3%)	0	< 0.0001
Death of CVD	5 (0.2%)	17 (3.1%)	0.0004	2 (0.1%)	0	< 0.0001
Death of carcinoma	4 (0.2%)	20 (4.4%)	< 0.0001	1 (0.06%)	0	< 0.0001

Table 1. Baseline Characteristics of All Subjects by Risk Groups

Characteristics

Male, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa

Male, type III, IVb

P value

Female, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa

Female type, III, IVb

P value

The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; CABG: coronary artery bypass grafting; CVD: cardiovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; MACE: major adverse cardiovascular event; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; PTCA: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.

2,052

540

1,761

167

Age

50 ± 7

54 ± 6

< 0.0001

50 ± 7

55 ± 6

< 0.0001

BMI, kg/m²

27.47 ± 4.08

27.94 ± 4.20

0.002

25.40 ± 4.68

26.02 ± 4.72

0.101

Current smoker

458 (22.3%)

238 (43.5%)

< 0.0001

339 (19.3%)

79 (47.3%)

< 0.0001

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

150 ± 33

159 ± 40

< 0.0001

143 ± 33

160 ± 40

0.002

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

51 ± 12

48 ± 11

0.001

65 ± 15

63 ± 14

0.116

Triglycerides, mg/dL

170 ± 117

188 ± 123

0.001

112 ± 58

143 ± 71

0.005

SBP, mm Hg

126 ± 15

135 ± 19

< 0.0001

122 ± 16

131 ± 19

0.0002

DBP, mm Hg

82 ± 8

84 ± 10

< 0.0001

78 ± 9

86 ± 12

0.143

Diabetes mellitus

76 (3.7%)

47 (8.6%)

< 0.0001

25 (1.4%)

11 (6.6%)

0.009

Antihypertensive therapy

440 (21.4%)

206 (37.7%)

< 0.0001

318 (18.1%)

80 (47.9%)

< 0.0001

Positive family history

450 (21.9%)

159 (29.1%)

0.034

485 (27.5%)

65 (38.9%)

< 0.0001

PROCAM risk

6.5±6.5%

14.4±11.1%

< 0.0001

1.5±2.4%

5.1±5.4%

< 0.0001

TPA, mm²

32 ± 33

150 ± 64

< 0.0001

16 ± 24

123 ± 63

< 0.0001

Max. plaque thickness, mm

1.7 ± 0.5

2.9 ± 0.8

< 0.0001

1.6 ± 0.4

3.1 ± 0.6

< 0.0001

Event (MACE, CABG, PTCA, stenosis)

60 (2.9%)

128 (23.4%)

< 0.0001

4 (0.2%)

13 (7.8%)

< 0.0001

Carcinoma

21 (1.0%)

34 (6.2%)

< 0.0001

12 (0.7%)

3 (1.8%)

0.289

Follow-up, months (min. - max.)

73 (3 - 156)

74 (3 - 145)

0.032

74 (2 - 155)

75 (2 - 139)

0.836

Death of all causes

14 (0.7%)

42 (7.7%)

< 0.0001

6 (0.3%)

< 0.0001

Death of CVD

5 (0.2%)

17 (3.1%)

0.0004

2 (0.1%)

< 0.0001

Death of carcinoma

4 (0.2%)

20 (4.4%)

< 0.0001

1 (0.06%)

< 0.0001

**Table 2.** Proportion of Men With Progression to High Plaque Risk
	Men, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa	Progression in type III, IVb	P value (t-test)
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	1,913	139
Age	50 ± 6	50 ± 5	0.5042
BMI, kg/m²	27.47 ± 4.08	27.80 ± 4.48	0.4030
Current smoker	423 (22.1%)	40 (28.8%)	0.0954
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	150 ± 33	153 ± 32	0.2661
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	51 ± 11	52 ± 13	0.4186
Triglycerides, mg/dL	169 ± 116	174 ± 133	0.6990
SBP, mm Hg	127 ± 16	130 ± 17	0.0047
DBP, mm Hg	81 ± 8	83 ± 10	0.0763
Diabetes mellitus	67 (3.5%)	9 (6.5%)	0.1662
Antihypertensive therapy	409 (21.4%)	34 (24.5%)	0.4240
Positive family history	423 (22.1%)	27 (19.4%)	0.4436
PROCAM risk	6.5±6.4%	8.1±7.5%	0.0360
TPA, mm²	30 ± 33	53 ± 30	< 0.00001
Max. plaque thickness, mm	1.7 ± 0.5	1.79 ± 0.5	0.000017

Table 2. Proportion of Men With Progression to High Plaque Risk

Men, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa

Progression in type III, IVb

P value (t-test)

The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.

1,913

139

Age

50 ± 6

50 ± 5

0.5042

BMI, kg/m²

27.47 ± 4.08

27.80 ± 4.48

0.4030

Current smoker

423 (22.1%)

40 (28.8%)

0.0954

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

150 ± 33

153 ± 32

0.2661

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

51 ± 11

52 ± 13

0.4186

Triglycerides, mg/dL

169 ± 116

174 ± 133

0.6990

SBP, mm Hg

127 ± 16

130 ± 17

0.0047

DBP, mm Hg

81 ± 8

83 ± 10

0.0763

Diabetes mellitus

67 (3.5%)

9 (6.5%)

0.1662

Antihypertensive therapy

409 (21.4%)

34 (24.5%)

0.4240

Positive family history

423 (22.1%)

27 (19.4%)

0.4436

PROCAM risk

6.5±6.4%

8.1±7.5%

0.0360

TPA, mm²

30 ± 33

53 ± 30

< 0.00001

Max. plaque thickness, mm

1.7 ± 0.5

1.79 ± 0.5

0.000017

**Table 3.** Proportion of Women With Progression to High Plaque Risk
	Women, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa	Progression in type III, IVb	P value (t-test)
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	1,722	39
Age	50 ± 6	51 ± 6	0.1942
BMI, kg/m²	25.41 ± 4.80	24.03 ± 5.92	0.0186
Current smoker	351 (20.4%)	12 (30.8%)	0.1767
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	143 ± 32	146 ± 35	0.6567
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	65 ± 15	65 ± 13	0.9377
Triglycerides, mg/dL	112 ± 59	118 ± 60	0.5433
SBP, mm Hg	121 ± 16	126 ± 18	0.1116
DBP, mm Hg	78 ± 9	78 ± 9	0.9849
Diabetes mellitus	27 (1.6%)	0 (0%)	< 0.0001
Antihypertensive therapy	308 (17.9%)	8 (20.5%)	0.6998
Positive family history	475 (27.6%)	10 (25.6%)	0.7876
PROCAM risk	1.5±2.5%	1.8±2.4%	0.5312
TPA, mm²	17 ± 24	48 ± 34	< 0.0001
Max. plaque thickness, mm	1.6 ± 0.4	2.1 ± 0.5	< 0.0001

Table 3. Proportion of Women With Progression to High Plaque Risk

Women, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa

Progression in type III, IVb

P value (t-test)

1,722

Age

50 ± 6

51 ± 6

0.1942

BMI, kg/m²

25.41 ± 4.80

24.03 ± 5.92

0.0186

Current smoker

351 (20.4%)

12 (30.8%)

0.1767

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

143 ± 32

146 ± 35

0.6567

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

65 ± 15

65 ± 13

0.9377

Triglycerides, mg/dL

112 ± 59

118 ± 60

0.5433

SBP, mm Hg

121 ± 16

126 ± 18

0.1116

DBP, mm Hg

78 ± 9

0.9849

Diabetes mellitus

27 (1.6%)

0 (0%)

< 0.0001

Antihypertensive therapy

308 (17.9%)

8 (20.5%)

0.6998

Positive family history

475 (27.6%)

10 (25.6%)

0.7876

PROCAM risk

1.5±2.5%

1.8±2.4%

0.5312

TPA, mm²

17 ± 24

48 ± 34

< 0.0001

Max. plaque thickness, mm

1.6 ± 0.4

2.1 ± 0.5

< 0.0001

**Table 4.** Proportion of Men and Women With Progression to High Plaque Risk by Age Group
	25 - 29	30 - 34	35 - 39	40 - 44	45 - 49	50 - 54	55 - 59	60 - 65
Type III, IVb, men	0.3%	0.8%	2.2%	4.5%	9.5%	12.5%	22.2%	26.8%
No. of men examined with follow-up				477	584	499	335	147
No. of which change in type III/IVb, men				24	40	46	26	2
Change with follow-up, men				5.0%	6.8%	9.2%	7.8%	1.4%
Type III, IVb, women	0.0%	0.0%	0.9%	0.9%	2.8%	4.1%	8.0%	9.2%
No. of women examined with follow-up				348	486	480	324	125
No. of which change in type III/IVb, women				7	5	15	10	2
Change with follow-up, women				2.0%	1.0%	3.1%	3.1%	1.6%

Table 4. Proportion of Men and Women With Progression to High Plaque Risk by Age Group

25 - 29

30 - 34

35 - 39

40 - 44

45 - 49

50 - 54

55 - 59

60 - 65

Type III, IVb, men

0.3%

0.8%

2.2%

4.5%

9.5%

12.5%

22.2%

26.8%

No. of men examined with follow-up

477

584

499

335

147

No. of which change in type III/IVb, men

Change with follow-up, men

5.0%

6.8%

9.2%

7.8%

1.4%

Type III, IVb, women

0.0%

0.9%

2.8%

4.1%

8.0%

9.2%

No. of women examined with follow-up

348

486

480

324

125

No. of which change in type III/IVb, women

Change with follow-up, women

2.0%

1.0%

3.1%

1.6%

**Table 5.** Comparison of Risk Factors in Men With Cancer and Without Cancer, CVD
	Men without cancer, CVD	Men with cancer	P value (t-test)
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; CVD: cardiovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	2,397	55
Age	50 ± 6	55 ± 5	0.00003
BMI, kg/m²	27.48 ± 4.08	27.18 ± 4.48	0.53300
Current smoker	603 (25.2%)	23 (41.8%)	0.01738
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	151 ± 33	151 ± 32	0.94355
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	50 ± 11	52 ± 13	0.52725
Triglycerides, mg/dL	172 ± 116	198 ± 133	0.26128
SBP, mm Hg	128 ± 16	135 ± 17	0.02165
DBP, mm Hg	82 ± 8	84 ± 10	0.05588
Diabetes mellitus	103 (4.3%)	2 (3.6%)	0.79888
Antihypertensive therapy	572 (23.9%)	19 (34.5%)	0.10744
Positive family history	549 (22.9%)	13 (23.6%)	0.90068
PROCAM risk	7.5±6.4%	12.8±7.5%	0.03379
TPA, mm²	49 ± 33	103 ± 30	< 0.00001
Max. plaque thickness, mm	2.1 ± 0.5	2.6 ± 0.5	0.00037

Table 5. Comparison of Risk Factors in Men With Cancer and Without Cancer, CVD

Men without cancer, CVD

Men with cancer

P value (t-test)

The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; CVD: cardiovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.

2,397

Age

50 ± 6

55 ± 5

0.00003

BMI, kg/m²

27.48 ± 4.08

27.18 ± 4.48

0.53300

Current smoker

603 (25.2%)

23 (41.8%)

0.01738

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

151 ± 33

151 ± 32

0.94355

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

50 ± 11

52 ± 13

0.52725

Triglycerides, mg/dL

172 ± 116

198 ± 133

0.26128

SBP, mm Hg

128 ± 16

135 ± 17

0.02165

DBP, mm Hg

82 ± 8

84 ± 10

0.05588

Diabetes mellitus

103 (4.3%)

2 (3.6%)

0.79888

Antihypertensive therapy

572 (23.9%)

19 (34.5%)

0.10744

Positive family history

549 (22.9%)

13 (23.6%)

0.90068

PROCAM risk

7.5±6.4%

12.8±7.5%

0.03379

TPA, mm²

49 ± 33

103 ± 30

< 0.00001

Max. plaque thickness, mm

2.1 ± 0.5

2.6 ± 0.5

0.00037

**Table 6.** Comparison of Risk Factors in Men With CVD and Without Cancer, CVD
	Men without cancer, CVD	Men with CVD	P value (t-test)
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; CVD: cardiovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	2,397	188
Age	50 ± 6	54 ± 6	< 0.00001
BMI, kg/m²	27.48 ± 4.08	28.10 ± 4.08	0.0161
Current smoker	603 (25.2%)	85 (45.2%)	< 0.00001
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	151 ± 33	161 ± 33	0.00065
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	50 ± 11	48 ± 11	0.00275
Triglycerides, mg/dL	172 ± 116	194 ± 116	0.01691
SBP, mm Hg	128 ± 16	133 ± 16	0.00153
DBP, mm Hg	82 ± 8	83 ± 8	0.12071
Diabetes mellitus	103 (4.3%)	20 (10.6%)	0.00620
Antihypertensive therapy	572 (23.9%)	68 (36.2%)	0.00081
Positive family history	549 (22.9%)	58 (30.9%)	0.02357
PROCAM risk	7.5±6.4%	14.9±6.4%	< 0.00001
TPA, mm²	49 ± 33	133 ± 33	< 0.00001
Max. plaque thickness, mm	2.1 ± 0.5	2.7 ± 0.5	< 0.00001

Table 6. Comparison of Risk Factors in Men With CVD and Without Cancer, CVD

Men without cancer, CVD

Men with CVD

P value (t-test)

2,397

188

Age

50 ± 6

54 ± 6

< 0.00001

BMI, kg/m²

27.48 ± 4.08

28.10 ± 4.08

0.0161

Current smoker

603 (25.2%)

85 (45.2%)

< 0.00001

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

151 ± 33

161 ± 33

0.00065

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

50 ± 11

48 ± 11

0.00275

Triglycerides, mg/dL

172 ± 116

194 ± 116

0.01691

SBP, mm Hg

128 ± 16

133 ± 16

0.00153

DBP, mm Hg

82 ± 8

83 ± 8

0.12071

Diabetes mellitus

103 (4.3%)

20 (10.6%)

0.00620

Antihypertensive therapy

572 (23.9%)

68 (36.2%)

0.00081

Positive family history

549 (22.9%)

58 (30.9%)

0.02357

PROCAM risk

7.5±6.4%

14.9±6.4%

< 0.00001

TPA, mm²

49 ± 33

133 ± 33

< 0.00001

Max. plaque thickness, mm

2.1 ± 0.5

2.7 ± 0.5

< 0.00001

**Table 7.** Comparison of Risk Factors in Men With CVD and With Cancer
	Men with CVD	Men with cancer	P value (t-test)
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; CVD: cardiovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	188	55
Age	54 ± 6	55 ± 5	0.9690
BMI, kg/m²	28.10 ± 4.08	27.18 ± 4.48	0.0650
Current smoker	85 (45.2%)	23 (41.8%)	0.6857
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	161 ± 33	151 ± 32	0.0677
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	48 ± 11	52 ± 13	0.0731
Triglycerides, mg/dL	194 ± 116	198 ± 133	0.8708
SBP, mm Hg	133 ± 16	135 ± 17	0.4497
DBP, mm Hg	83 ± 8	84 ± 10	0.4753
Diabetes mellitus	20 (10.6%)	2 (3.6%)	0.0413
Antihypertensive therapy	68 (36.2%)	19 (34.5%)	0.8620
Positive family history	58 (30.9%)	13 (23.6%)	0.3092
PROCAM risk	14.9±6.4%	12.8±7.5%	0.4608
TPA, mm²	133 ± 33	103 ± 30	0.0153
Max. plaque thickness, mm	2.7 ± 0.5	2.6 ± 0.5	0.5322

Table 7. Comparison of Risk Factors in Men With CVD and With Cancer

Men with CVD

Men with cancer

P value (t-test)

188

Age

54 ± 6

55 ± 5

0.9690

BMI, kg/m²

28.10 ± 4.08

27.18 ± 4.48

0.0650

Current smoker

85 (45.2%)

23 (41.8%)

0.6857

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

161 ± 33

151 ± 32

0.0677

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

48 ± 11

52 ± 13

0.0731

Triglycerides, mg/dL

194 ± 116

198 ± 133

0.8708

SBP, mm Hg

133 ± 16

135 ± 17

0.4497

DBP, mm Hg

83 ± 8

84 ± 10

0.4753

Diabetes mellitus

20 (10.6%)

2 (3.6%)

0.0413

Antihypertensive therapy

68 (36.2%)

19 (34.5%)

0.8620

Positive family history

58 (30.9%)

13 (23.6%)

0.3092

PROCAM risk

14.9±6.4%

12.8±7.5%

0.4608

TPA, mm²

133 ± 33

103 ± 30

0.0153

Max. plaque thickness, mm

2.7 ± 0.5

2.6 ± 0.5

0.5322

**Table 8.** Baseline Characteristics for All Subjects With Low and Intermediate Risk With and Without Follow-Up
	Male, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa follow-up	Male without follow-up	P value	Female, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa follow-up	Female without follow-up	P value
The mean values with the standard deviations or the percentages are shown. BMI: body mass index; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; PROCAM: Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TPA: total plaque area.
N	2,052	1,494		1,761	1,684
Age	50 ± 7	50 ± 8	0.122	50 ± 7	50 ± 4	0.158
BMI, kg/m²	27.47 ± 4.08	27.60 ± 4.08	0.375	25.40 ± 4.68	25.63 ± 4.98	0.174
Current smoker	458 (22.3%)	335 (22.4%)	0.966	339 (19.3%)	337 (20.0%)	0.778
LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	150 ± 33	150 ± 40	0.719	143 ± 33	145 ± 35	0.361
HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL	51 ± 12	50 ± 20	0.072	65 ± 15	64 ± 12	0.487
Triglycerides, mg/dL	170 ± 117	171 ± 122	0.896	112 ± 58	119 ± 64	0.123
SBP, mm Hg	126 ± 15	128 ± 16	0.181	122 ± 16	123 ± 19	0.095
DBP, mm Hg	82 ± 8	82 ± 11	0.066	78 ± 9	79 ± 10	0.067
Diabetes mellitus	76 (3.7%)	56 (3.7%)	0.985	25 (1.4%)	33 (1.9%)	0.205
Antihypertensive therapy	440 (21.4%)	363 (24.3%)	0.058	318 (18.1%)	333 (19.8%)	0.151
Positive family history	450 (21.9%)	307 (20.5%)	0.305	485 (27.5%)	448 (26.6%)	0.639
PROCAM risk	6.5±6.5%	6.5±9.46%	0.693	1.5±2.4%	1.8±2.7%	0.058
TPA, mm²	32 ± 33	30 ± 26	0.068	16 ± 24	15 ± 27	0.052
Max. plaque thickness, mm	1.7 ± 0.5	1.6 ± 0.4	0.713	1.6 ± 0.4	1.6 ± 0.5	0.072

Table 8. Baseline Characteristics for All Subjects With Low and Intermediate Risk With and Without Follow-Up

Male, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa follow-up

Male without follow-up

P value

Female, type I, IIa, IIb, IVa follow-up

Female without follow-up

P value

2,052

1,494

1,761

1,684

Age

50 ± 7

50 ± 8

0.122

50 ± 7

50 ± 4

0.158

BMI, kg/m²

27.47 ± 4.08

27.60 ± 4.08

0.375

25.40 ± 4.68

25.63 ± 4.98

0.174

Current smoker

458 (22.3%)

335 (22.4%)

0.966

339 (19.3%)

337 (20.0%)

0.778

LDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

150 ± 33

150 ± 40

0.719

143 ± 33

145 ± 35

0.361

HDL-cholesterol, mg/dL

51 ± 12

50 ± 20

0.072

65 ± 15

64 ± 12

0.487

Triglycerides, mg/dL

170 ± 117

171 ± 122

0.896

112 ± 58

119 ± 64

0.123

SBP, mm Hg

126 ± 15

128 ± 16

0.181

122 ± 16

123 ± 19

0.095

DBP, mm Hg

82 ± 8

82 ± 11

0.066

78 ± 9

79 ± 10

0.067

Diabetes mellitus

76 (3.7%)

56 (3.7%)

0.985

25 (1.4%)

33 (1.9%)

0.205

Antihypertensive therapy

440 (21.4%)

363 (24.3%)

0.058

318 (18.1%)

333 (19.8%)

0.151

Positive family history

450 (21.9%)

307 (20.5%)

0.305

485 (27.5%)

448 (26.6%)

0.639

PROCAM risk

6.5±6.5%

6.5±9.46%

0.693

1.5±2.4%

1.8±2.7%

0.058

TPA, mm²

32 ± 33

30 ± 26

0.068

16 ± 24

15 ± 27

0.052

Max. plaque thickness, mm

1.7 ± 0.5

1.6 ± 0.4

0.713

1.6 ± 0.4

1.6 ± 0.5

0.072