White blood cell count is associated with carotid and femoral atherosclerosis

► Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. ► Easy-to-measure, low-cost inflammatory markers are needed for CVD risk assessment. ► WBCC, but not CRP, was independently associated with carotid and femoral IMT and plaque. ► The association was similar in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic individuals. ► The association was stronger for increased atherosclerotic burden.