Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly

An observational study in the Brisighella population was carried out to evaluate the RF distribution for ATS and its complications in subjects over 14 years. In this paper data is reported on spontaneous variations of some biochemical parameters (TC, TG, SBP, DBP), the causes of death and the distribution of mortality according to TC, SBP and DBP quintiles, in subjects over 60 years: 670 subjects (22.8% of total population), 355 males and 315 females. After 8 years of follow-up (1972-1980) the mean values of TC, TG and DBP increased both in males and in females, while the SBP levels showed no statistically significant changes. The major causes of death in both elderly and young population were cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the highest frequency of CVD mortality was observed in the highest quintile of TC, DBP and SBP. The multiple logistic function analysis confirmed the hypothesis that the major RF (TC, SBP, physical activity, smoking habit and age) are also the same in the elderly population. For this reason we believe preventive intervention to be justified even in geriatric age.