Hämeenlinna Metabolic Syndrome Research Program: Surrogate Indicators for Atherosclerosis

Accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the intimae of arteries together with risk factors known to enhance atherosclerosis, damage the endothelium of the arterial wall. Dysfunction of the endothelium leads into loss of elasticity of the artery. Surrogate indicators of atherosclerosis might be seen already in the early phase of otherwise subclinical arterial disease. In this study, we investigate calculated risk of the subjects (SCORE, FINRISK, Framingham score), platelet function and surrogate indicators for atherosclerosis like erectile dysfunction, plasma levels of oxidized LDL, arterial elasticity and biochemical markers for endothelial damage and dysfunction in different settings (case-only and case-control).