Relation of metabolic syndrome components to left ventricular mass in Mexican Americans vs non-Hispanic whites

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mexican Americans (MA) exhibit increases in CVD risk factors compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHW), but few data exist comparing the relation of MetS to subclinical CVD, for example, left ventricular (LV) mass. Asymptomatic subjects (104 MA and 101 NHW, 52.2% female, aged 48 ± 12 years) were studied by echocardiography (echo) and by blood and urine tests. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute definition. Echo LV mass was compared with the presence or absence of MetS and with the number of MetS components. Multiple linear regression also examined the association of MetS with LV mass adjusted for non-MetS risk factors. Left ventricular mass was lower in MA (145.5 ± 43.9 g) compared with NHW (160.2 ± 49.9 g) (P < .05), although this difference was attenuated after adjusting for MetS and other risk factors. Left ventricular mass was higher in those with vs without MetS in both MA and NHW men and women (P < .05 to P < .01). There was a significant (P < .001) graded increase in echo LV mass with increasing number of MetS components both in MA (108.3 to 153.8 g) and NHW (144.3 to 215.1 g). In multiple regression analysis, male sex and MetS remained independently associated (P < .0001) with LV mass; however, body mass index explained much of this association, indicating the strong association of obesity with LV mass. Mean LV mass in both MA and NHW adults was higher in those with vs without MetS and with increasing number of MetS components, with body mass index the principal component of MetS associated with LV mass. The prognostic significance of LV mass in persons with MetS requires further study.