Correlation of Skin Cholesterol with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Diverse Risk Groups

This study focuses on predicting advanced subclinical atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries without causing symptoms. The study aims to enroll 600 people who are at low, intermediate, or high risk of developing cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years. The study ensures a balanced representation of women and African Americans. The main goal is to understand if skin cholesterol levels can predict the presence of cardiovascular disease, which could help improve early detection and treatment. Participants in the study will undergo two non-invasive skin cholesterol tests. A blood sample will also be taken to check cholesterol levels in the blood and other markers of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, participants will have a carotid IMT scan, a type of ultrasound that checks for plaque buildup in the carotid arteries. The study will then examine if the results from the skin cholesterol tests match with the findings from the blood tests and the carotid IMT scan.