Aim: We investigated the gender-specific control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and subclinical vascular lesions in a founder population in Italy.
Methods and results: 6148 subjects were enrolled (aged 14-102 years) from four towns. Hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia (LIP) were defined in accordance with guidelines. A self-reported diagnosis defined awareness of these conditions, and the current use of specific medications as treatment. Prevalence was HT 29.2%, DM 4.8%, LIP 44.1% and was higher in men than in women. Disease prevalence increased with age for every CV risk factor. Men were less likely than women to take anti-HT drugs and to reach BP control (9.9% vs. 16%). Only 17.6% of HT > 65 years had a BP < or =140/90 mmHg, though 48.5% were treated. The use of statins was very low (<1/3 of eligible subjects > 65 years, those with the highest treatment rate). The ratio of control-to-treated HT was lower in subjects with, than in those without, thicker carotid arteries (31.5% vs. 38.8%, p < 0.05) or stiffer aortas (26.0% vs. 40.0%, p < 0.05) or carotid plaques (26.3% vs. 41.1%, p<0.05).
Conclusion: A large number of subjects at high CV risk are not treated and the management of subclinical vascular lesions is far from optimal.