可溶性肿瘤坏死因子受体Ⅰ与颈动脉粥样硬化及其危险因素的相关性研究

目的研究血清可溶性肿瘤坏死因子受体I(sTNFRI)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化的关系.方法采用超声诊断仪将82例中老年患者分为斑块形成组与无斑块组,分析两组sTNFRI水平变化及与多种颈动脉粥样硬化危险因素的相关性.结果斑块形成组冠心病、高血压、糖尿病及脑梗死的发生率较无斑块组显著增高,斑块形成组sTN-FRI水平显著高于无斑块组,sTNFRI升高组比正常组颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(IMT)显著增加.多元逐步回归分析示sTNFRI水平与年龄相关.结论sTNFRI水平与颈动脉IMT相关.降低血清sTNFRI浓度,抑制炎症反应不仅可能阻止颈动脉粥样硬化的进展,而且对于预防心、脑血管事件具有重要意义.     

急性脑梗死患者血清PAPP-A水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的相关性

目的探讨急性脑梗死患者妊娠相关血浆蛋白A(PAPP-A)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系。方法应用彩色多普勒超声检查79例急性脑梗死组患者和64例正常对照者的颈动脉斑块及内膜中膜厚度(IMT),同时检测血清PAPP-A水平;将急性脑梗死患者依据颈动脉超声检查结果分为颈动脉无斑块组15例,稳定性斑块组20例,不稳定性斑块组44例,比较各组血清PAPP-A水平。结果急性脑梗死斑块检出率、不稳定性斑块检出率及IMT均显著高于正常对照组(P0.01),血清PAPP-A水平高于正常对照组(P0.05)。在急性脑梗死患者中,不稳定性斑块组血清PAPP-A水平显著高于稳定性斑块组和无斑块组,稳定性斑块组血清PAPP-A水平显著高于无斑块组(P0.01)。线性相关分析显示,急性脑梗死组患者IMT与血清PAPP-A水平有明显相关性(r=0.718,P0.01)。结论颈动脉粥样硬化斑块及其稳定性与脑梗死发生有密切关系;PAPP-A与颈动脉粥样硬化密切相关,可能是不稳定性粥样硬化斑块的血清标志物。     

高血压合并颈动脉粥样硬化患者血压变异性的特点及与hsCRP的关系

目的探讨原发性高血压患者颈动脉粥样硬化、血压变异性和高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)三者的关系。方法102例原发性高血压患者根据颈动脉IMT测定值分为动脉硬化高血压组(A组)[IMT增厚组(A1组)+颈动脉斑块组(A2组)]和无动脉硬化高血压组(B组),运用24h动态血压监测并分析102例原发性高血压患者24h、白昼及夜间收缩压和舒张压变异性采用免疫散射比浊法测定血清分析颈动脉粥样硬化与血压变异性及的关系。结果根据颈动脉IMT值,102例高血压中颈动脉粥样硬化者62例(IMT增厚24例,颈动脉斑块38例),无颈动脉粥样硬化者40例,颈动脉硬化组血清hsCRP水平明显高于无颈动脉硬化组(P<0.05),颈动脉斑块组血清hsCRP水平显著高于IMT增厚组(P<0.05)。动脉硬化高血压组在24h、白昼和夜间SSD、DSD均高于无动脉硬化高血压组(P<0.05),颈动脉斑块组24h SSD、白昼SSD、DSD高于IMT增厚组(P<     

Hcy、MIF与颈动脉粥样硬化相关性研究

目的探讨血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化关系。方法对162例住院和门诊的受试者,应用多普勒彩超检测颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)及其斑块性质,根据超声检测结果分为3组:颈动脉IMT正常组32例,颈动脉IMT增厚组39例,颈动脉斑块组91例。对各组受试者分别测定血清Hcy、MIF水平及相关生化指标。对斑块组分为:稳定斑块亚组34例和不稳定斑块亚组57例。分析3组组间血清Hcy水平与IMF水平的差异,以及稳定斑块亚组及不稳定斑块亚组血清Hcy、MIF水平的差异,并分析Hcy、MIF与IMT的相关性。结果与IMT正常组比较,IMT增厚组、斑块组血清Hcy、MIF均明显较高,各组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且斑块形成组血清Hcy、MIF亦明显高于IMT增厚组(P0.05);与稳定斑块亚组比较,不稳定斑块亚组血清Hcy、MIF水平明显高于稳定斑块亚组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),Hcy、IMF与IMT有显著的相关性,相关系数分别为:0.558,0.604,P均0.05。结论血清Hcy、MIF水平可能与颈动脉粥样硬化的发生发展有关;血清Hcy、MIF水平升高可能导致颈动脉斑块的不稳定。     

高血清同型半胱氨酸水平与脑梗死及颈动脉硬化的临床研究

目的 研究血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平与脑梗死发生及其与颈动脉硬化的关系.方法 根据颈动脉彩色超声多普勒检查,将100例脑梗死患者分为脑梗死伴颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组(A组 )和脑梗死无斑块组(B组),每组50例.另选50名健康体检者为对照组.采用荧光偏振免疫法测定Hcy,比较脑梗死伴颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组、脑梗死无斑块组及对照组Hcy水平变化,记录患者性别、年龄、高血压病、吸烟、血脂、糖尿病等,应用彩色超声多普勒检查患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT),比较脑梗死伴颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组和脑梗死无斑块组内膜中层厚度.结果 脑梗死伴颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组的血Hcy水平为(33.80±16.70)μmol/L,高于脑梗死无斑块组(17.39±6.60)μmol/L和对照组(10.74±14.58)μmol/L(P<0.01).脑梗死无斑块组与对照组Hcy水平相比有统计学意义(P<0.05);脑梗死伴颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)为(0.77 mm±0.25 mm),较脑梗死无斑块组颈动脉IMT(0.58 mm±0.29 mm)明显增厚(P<0.01).结论 高Hcy血症与缺血性脑卒中的发生密切相关,与颈动脉粥样硬化及斑块形成有关.     

钙卫蛋白与高血压患者颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的探讨高血压患者血清钙卫蛋白水平的变化及与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法回顾性入选2015年6月-2016年12月住院和门诊诊治高血压患者280例为高血压组,根据血压水平进一步分为3个亚组:高血压1级组、高血压2级组和高血压3级组;根据颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)分为3个亚组:IMT正常组、IMT增厚组和斑块形成组;另选取同期年龄和性别相匹配的健康体检人员80人为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测各组受试者血清钙卫蛋白水平,应用彩色多普勒超声检测颈动脉IMT水平,统计分析钙卫蛋白与颈动脉IMT的关系。结果高血压组钙卫蛋白、IMT和颈动脉斑块检出率高于对照组(均P0.05),并随着血压水平的升高,钙卫蛋白、颈动脉IMT和斑块检出率逐渐上升。在高血压组患者中,不同颈动脉IMT亚组的钙卫蛋白水平存在差异,IMT增厚亚组和斑块形成亚组高于IMT正常亚组,斑块形成亚组又高于IMT增厚组(均P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,钙卫蛋白水平与颈动脉IMT呈正相关(r=0.548,P0.05)。多元线性回归分析显示,血清钙卫蛋白水平(B=0.285)、年龄(B=0.237)是高血压患者颈动脉IMT的影响因素(P0.05)。结论高血压患者血清钙卫蛋白水平与血压水平和IMT呈正相关,是颈动脉粥样硬化的影响因素。     

脑梗死患者血清同型半胱氨酸水平与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的探讨脑梗死患者血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法收集该院收治的脑梗死患者60例为脑梗死组,同时期的健康体检者20例为正常对照组,对所有研究对象的血清Hcy、叶酸及维生素(Vit)B12水平及颈动脉粥样硬化相关情况进行检测分析。结果与正常对照组比较,脑梗死组患者的血清Hcy水平较高,血清叶酸及Vit B12水平较低(P0.05)。与正常对照组比较,脑梗死组患者的颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)较高(P0.05)。不同颈动脉狭窄程度患者血清Hcy水平:无狭窄组轻度狭窄组中度狭窄组重度狭窄组(P0.05)。不同颈动脉斑块数量患者血清Hcy水平:无斑块组单发斑块组多发斑块组(P0.05)。不稳定斑块组的血清Hcy水平明显高于稳定斑块组(P0.05)。脑梗死患者颈动脉IMT与血清Hcy水平呈线性正相关(r=0.612,P0.01)。结论脑梗死患者的血清Hcy水平及颈动脉IMT水平高于正常对照组,且血清Hcy水平越高,颈动脉粥样硬化程度越严重。     

血浆同型半胱氨酸与缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系研究

目的对血浆同型半胱氨酸与缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系进行分析和讨论。方法随机选取我院缺血性脑血管病患者86例为研究对象,采用颈动脉彩色多普勒超声设备对颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)进行检查,并对患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块性质和程度进行综合评估。与此同时,以超声检查结果为依据,将患者分为斑块形成组、IMT增厚组和IMT正常组;采用酶联免疫吸附法检测晨起空腹血浆Hcy浓度。并对血浆Hcy水平和颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的关系进行分析。结果缺血性脑血管病患者的Hhcy发生率和血浆Hcy浓度均显著增加,同IMT正常组相比,IMT增厚组和斑块形成组的血浆Hcy水平和HHcy发生率明显增加,差异统计学意义成立(P0.05)。同IMT增厚组相比,斑块形成组的血浆Hcy水平明显提升,但是在HHcy发生率方面无显著差异,统计学无意义(P0.05)。斑块形成的48例患者中,易损斑块组血浆Hcy浓度为27.69μmmol/L,HHcy发生率为81.82%,非易损斑块组的血浆Hcy浓度为23.47μmmol/L,HHcy发生率为53.84%,易损斑块要比非易损斑块高出许多,差异明显,统计学存在意义(P0.05),根据Logistic分析可知,颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的主要因素是Hcy浓度升高。结论颈动脉粥样硬化程度与Hcy水平有着之间关系,水平越高,颈动脉粥样硬化程度越高。形成颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的独立危险因素是HHcy。     

晚期糖基化终末产物与老年慢性肾衰竭患者颈动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的探讨晚期糖基化终末期产物(AGEs)与老年慢性肾衰竭(CRF)患者颈动脉粥样硬化(AS)的相关性。方法采用酶联免疫吸附方法(ELISA)测定90例老年CRF患者及90例健康老年人血清AGEs浓度,并利用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪测量颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)及粥样斑块,依据IMT将老年CRF患者分为非IMT增厚组(21例)、IMT增厚组(56例)及斑块形成组(13例)。结果老年CRF患者血清AGEs水平均显著高于健康老年人(P0.01),且非IMT增厚组、IMT增厚组及斑块形成组组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论血清AGEs水平升高与老年CRF患者颈动脉AS发病密切相关。     

老年正常高值血压就诊人群颈动脉粥样硬化斑块状况

目的探讨正常高值血压老年就诊人群的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块状况。方法 175例门诊检查的无高血压老年就诊人群,均行颈部血管彩超检查明确是否有颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成。根据血压水平分为理想血压与正常高值血压,分析正常高值血压与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的相关性。结果与理想血压组相比,正常高值组动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)、内膜增厚及斑块形成例数均比较高(P0.05)。理想血压组硬斑例数最高,其次为混合斑,软斑数最少;正常高值组软斑例数最高,其次为混合斑,硬斑最少,差异显著(P0.05)。颈部斑块组年龄、男性、糖尿病史、吸烟史、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)及正常高值血压明显高于颈部无斑块组,而血清脂联素(APN)低于颈部无斑块组(P0.05)。校正相关因素后发现年龄、糖尿病史、LDL-C、Hcy及正常高值血压是颈动脉斑块形成的独立危险因素(P0.05),而APN是颈动脉斑块形成的保护因素(P0.05)。结论正常高值血压增加了颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的风险,是斑块形成的独立危险因素。     

老年新诊2型糖尿病患者血浆同型半胱氨酸与颈动脉硬化的关系

目的探讨老年新诊2型糖尿病患者血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)与颈动脉硬化的关系。方法测定92例老年新诊2型糖尿病患者和48例健康对照者(对照组)的血浆Hcy、血清白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、叶酸、维生素B12、颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)。将糖尿病患者分为IMT正常组(24例)I、MT增厚组(24例)、斑块组(44例);再将斑块组分为稳定斑块亚组(32例)、不稳定斑块亚组(12例),并进行分析。结果新诊2型糖尿病患者血浆Hcy水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05),且在IMT正常组、IMT增厚组、斑块组逐步升高(P<0.05),并且不稳定斑块亚组高于稳定斑块亚组(P<0.05)。血浆Hcy水平与IL-8呈正相关,与叶酸、维生素B12呈负相关。结论Hcy是老年新诊2型糖尿病患者颈动脉硬化的重要危险因素之一,并可能通过IL-8参与动脉硬化的发展;血浆Hcy水平与颈动脉硬化的程度及斑块的稳定性有关。     

血清小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、同型半胱氨酸与颈动脉粥样硬化关系研究

目的探讨血清小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(sdLDL-C),小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与低密度脂蛋白胆固醇之比(sdLDL-C/LDL-C)及同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)与颈动脉硬化的关系,并分析sdLDL-C/LDL-C评价颈动脉斑块的价值。方法选取2017年10月至2019年10月于安徽医科大学合肥第三临床学院心内科住院并行颈动脉彩超检查的200例患者为研究对象,根据颈动脉超声结果分为颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)异常组(n=122)和对照组(n=78)。其中,IMT异常组又分为IMT增厚组(n=30)及颈动脉斑块组(n=92)。Spearman相关分析sdLDL-C与年龄、体质指数(BMI)、LDL-C、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、sdLDL-C/LDL-C、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、Hcy的相关性;二元Logistic逐步回归方程及有序多分类Logistic回归模型评估颈动脉斑块的独立危险因素。结果IMT异常组血清sdLDL-C、sdLDL-C/LDL-C和Hcy水平均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。颈动脉斑块组血清sdLDL-C、sdLDL-C/LDL-C和Hcy水平均明显高于IMT增厚组,差异亦均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。Logistic逐步回归分析显示年龄、糖尿病、Hcy、sdLDL-C/LDL-C、sdLDL-C是IMT增厚和颈动脉斑块的独立危险因素。结论在伴有IMT增厚、颈动脉斑块患者中sdLDL-C、sdLDL-C/LDL-C、Hcy水平显著升高。血清sdLDL-C/LDL-C、sdLDL-C、Hcy含量具有颈动脉斑块的预测价值,且是颈动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素。     

尿毒症血液透析患者高同型半胱氨酸血症与动脉粥样硬化关系的研究

目的探讨尿毒症血液透析患者血浆同型半胱氨酸浓度与动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法对北京朝阳医院血液透析中心2003-10~2004-01采用荧光偏振免疫分析法测定血浆总同型半胱氨酸(tHcy)浓度,应用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪检测颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(IMT),并根据公式计算颈动脉Young弹性指数、斑块阳性率,用免疫化学发光法测定血清叶酸、VitB12浓度。结果尿毒症血液透析患者高同型半胱氨酸血症发生率为68.3%,尿毒症血液透析患者血清叶酸和VitB12浓度与血浆tHcy呈负相关。IMT、颈动脉Young弹性指数、斑块阳性率与血浆tHcy浓度呈正相关(r分别为0.34,0.31,0.23,P均<0.05),这种相关性在应用多元Logistic回归剔除了性别、年龄、血压、血脂、血糖、血红蛋白等因素影响后仍然存在。结论高同型半胱氨酸血症可能是尿毒症血液透析患者发生动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素。     

血尿酸与2型糖尿病颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性分析

目的 探讨T2DM患者SUA水平与颈动脉粥样硬化（CAS）的关系. 方法 纳入T2DM患者1411例,根据有无CAS将其分为颈动脉粥样硬化（A）组和非颈动脉粥样硬化（B）组,比较两组间的临床资料.并以颈动脉内膜-中层厚度（IMT）为因变量,以其他指标为自变量对合并后两组进行Spearman相关分析和Logistic回归分析. 结果 A组IMT、SUA、TG水平高于B组（P＜0.05）.Lo-gistic回归分析结果显示,SUA水平与IMT增厚相关（r=0.131,OR：1.021,95％CI：1.003～1.205）.结论 T2DM患者SUA水平升高是CAS的独立危险因素.     

高血压患者颈动脉亚临床病变与动态脉压指数及相关危险因素研究

目的探讨动态脉压指数（24h ambulatory pulse pressure index,24hAPPI）对原发性高血压（essentialhypertension,EH）患者颈动脉亚临床病变的影响。方法对255例EH患者进行动态血压监测（ambulatory blood pressure monitoring,ABPM）和颈动脉超声检查。所有患者分为3组：A组（PPI≤0.40）、B组（PPI：0.40～0.49）和C组（PPI≥0.50）。结果颈动脉斑块积分及颈动脉内膜中层厚度（intima media thickness,IMT）随着PPI的增加而增加,24hAPP、24hAPPI以及斑块的严重程度（颈动脉斑块积分）与IMT间呈相关性。多因素Logistic回归分析表明,24hAPP、24hAPPI、吸烟、高血压病程是颈动脉亚临床病变独立的预测指标。结论颈动脉斑块积分及颈动脉IMT随着PPI的增加而增加,24hPPI与动态PPI、斑块的严重程度与IMT间有相关性。24hAPP、24hAPPI、吸烟、高血压病程是颈动脉亚临床病变独立的预测指标。     

雄激素与老年男性颈动脉粥样硬化的研究

目的探讨老年男性颈动脉粥样硬化与雄激素水平的关系。方法选择100例老年男性患者,根据多普勒超声测定的颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)分为动脉粥样硬化组和无颈动脉粥样硬化组,并检测血清睾酮(T0)水平。结果100例老年男性患者中,66例发生颈动脉粥样硬化,老年男性颈动脉粥样硬化组的T0水平[(4.52±0.82)μg/L]明显低于无颈动脉粥样硬化组[(5.56±0.92)μg/L,P<0.01],IMT与T0水平呈负相关,T0与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇呈正相关,与脂蛋白呈负相关。结论老年男性颈动脉粥样硬化与雄激素水平有密切关系,雄激素补充治疗可能为降低老年男性动脉粥样硬化的发生提供新的方法。     

Assessment of aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease

The present study investigated the relationship between aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis, and studied the effects of coronary risk factors for these arteries. The subjects consisted of 78 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 69 patients without CAD. All subjects underwent enhanced computed tomography and B-mode ultrasonography within a short time period to determine the extent of aorta and carotid atherosclerosis. Significant correlations between maximal aortic wall thickness (MAWT) and aortic wall volume (AWV) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were demonstrated. MAWT, AWV and IMT were significantly higher in patients with CAD compared with controls (p=0.009, p=0.024, p=0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there were significant differences in MAWT, AWV and IMT among groups classified by the number of coronary artery stenoses, and no significant differences among groups classified by risk factors, but it was shown that MAWT, AWV and IMT increased gradually as the risk factors increased in number. MAWT, AWV and IMT had positive correlations with age, systolic blood pressure and triglyceride, and a negative correlation with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. This study demonstrated that both aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis are closely correlated with coronary atherosclerosis, and that the atherosclerosis indices are independently associated with age and hyperlipidemia.     

Carotid intima-media thickness of young coronary patients.

BACKGROUND: Although a greater than normal intima-media thickness (IMT) has been found in older coronary patients, the data for younger patients are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine the carotid IMT in patients with premature myocardial infarction. METHODS: We measured IMT (common and internal carotid, carotid bifurcation) in 30 coronary patients, aged 30-50 years (mean 46 years), who had survived myocardial infarctions 1-9 years (mean 6 years) earlier, and in 30 age-matched men without clinically evident coronary heart disease (controls) by B-mode ultrasonography. Blood levels of lipoproteins, glucose, iron and transferrin, fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen level and activity and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen level and activity were also determined. RESULTS: IMT in all segments of carotid arteries in the patients was significantly greater than that in the controls (P < 0.0001). The presence of atherosclerotic plaques was correlated to greater than normal carotid IMT. Other risk factors displaying statistically significant correlations to mean carotid IMT were t-PA antigen level and activity, PAI-1 antigen level and level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The significant association between carotid IMT and coronary heart disease suggests that carotid and coronary atherosclerosis evolve simultaneously. Hence carotid IMT can be used as a predictor of coronary atherosclerosis.     

Circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels in relation to sampling methods, femoral and carotid atherosclerosis

Objectives. To examine whether circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) were associated with ultrasound‐assessed intima‐media thickness (IMT) and echolucent plaques in the carotid and femoral arteries. To examine preanalytical sources of variability in MMP‐9 concentrations related to sampling procedures. Subjects and design. Plasma and serum MMP‐9 levels were compared with ultrasound assessed measures of femoral and carotid atherosclerosis, in a cross‐sectional study of 61‐year‐old men (n = 473). Preanalytical sources of variability in MMP‐9 levels were examined in 10 healthy subjects. Main outcome measures were circulating levels of MMP‐9 in serum and plasma, IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries, and plaque status based on size and echolucency. Setting. Research unit at university hospital. Results. Plasma concentrations of total and active MMP‐9 were associated with femoral artery IMT independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and were higher in subjects with moderate to large femoral plaques. Plasma MMP‐9 concentration was higher in men with echolucent femoral plaques (P = 0.006) compared with subjects without femoral plaques. No similar associations were found for carotid plaques. MMP‐9 concentrations were higher in serum than in plasma, and higher when sampling was performed with Vacutainer than with syringe. MMP‐9 levels in serum were more strongly associated with peripheral neutrophil count compared with MMP‐9 levels in plasma. Conclusions. Plasma MMP‐9 levels were associated with atherosclerosis in the femoral artery, and total MMP‐9 concentration was higher in men with echolucent femoral plaques. The choice of sample material and sampling method affect the measurements of circulating MMP‐9 levels.     

Haemoglobin A1c is associated with carotid intima-media thickness in a Chinese population

Background The association between haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid arteries in Chinese populations is unknown. Aim, design and methods The objective of this study was to investigate this relationship and evaluate the ability of HbA1c levels to predict carotid atherosclerosis in a Chinese population. This was a cross‐sectional study, which included 541 subjects without known diabetes (Taiwan Lifestyle Study). About 67 (9·2%) subjects were newly diagnosed with diabetes during the study. Carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and the presence of carotid plaques were determined using ultrasonography. Results The HbA1c level in all subjects was positively correlated with carotid IMT (β = 0·018, P = 0·03) after being adjusted for age, gender, smoking, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level, hypertension and body mass index. HbA1c level was higher in subjects with plaques in carotid arteries (P = 0·01). There was a positive and linear relationship between HbA1c levels and the probability of having plaques, thickened carotid IMT or both (P for all comparisons, <0·05). The ability of HbA1c levels to predict thickened carotid IMT or the presence of plaques was only modest {the optimal cutoff of HbA1c level [5·7%] was determined from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (sensitivity = 67%, specificity = 61%) and the area under the ROC curve [0·666]}. Conclusions Thus, HbA1c level is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid arteries in a Chinese population. The relationship is linear without an inflection point. However, HbA1c criterion is not a useful marker for the identification of subclinical atherosclerosis.