Objectives: Taking into consideration that obesity and AH are the most important related risk-factors of CVD we examined differences in carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and endothelial function between obese and overweight hypertensive individuals.

Methods: We studied 102 patients with mild to moderate AH (67males/35females, mean age 51,3±2,4years, BMI 30,9±1,9kg/m², duration of AH 4,6±1,4years). Examination included: color triplex carotid artery scanning; assessment of endothelial function of brachial artery; 24-hour BP monitoring. 49 overweight patients (25<BMI< 29,9kg/m²) were assigned to group 1 and 53 obese patients (BMI>30kg/m²) to group 2.

Results: The groups were comparable by the age, duration of AH, daily mean BP values. Mean values of IMT (gr1:1,02±0,03mm;gr2: 1,08±0,04mm) were certainly increased in obese patients compared with overweight ones (p< 0,001). Prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was higher in gr2 (79%vs67%). Endothelium - dependent vasodilatation (EDVD) (gr1:7,6±0,5;gr2:7,01±0,3%) was significantly reduced in obese patients (p <0,01), but occurrence of endothelial dysfunction was almost equal (gr1:59;gr2:60%). BMI positively correlated with IMT (r = 0,25, p<0,02) and negatively with EDVD (r = −0,4, p<0,05).

Conclusions: Thus, in obese hypertensive subjects we detected more pronounced and frequent carotid artery affection and endothelial dysfunction comparing with overweight ones. Data of our study demonstrate importance more profound examination of cardiovascular system in obese hypertensive patients with subsequent more aggressive blood pressure and weight reduction.