title: Levels of selected cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of geriatric participants--the Dunedin Program.
abstract: A sample of 310 white, ambulatory elderly adults (n = 116 men, n = 194 women, ages 65 to 99 years) from the Dunedin Program in Florida were examined for serum total and lipoprotein cholesterols, weight, and blood pressure. Women had higher age-adjusted mean levels of total cholesterol (p less than .0001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p less than .0001), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p less than .0005), and weight/height (p less than .0001). Systolic blood pressure increased with age in both sexes, but the trend rose more sharply in women (p less than .0001). Both systolic (p less than .05) and diastolic (p less than .025) blood pressure increased with obesity in women but were unrelated to obesity in men. Approximately 70% (218) of the sample had elevated levels of at least one risk factor. This included 12% (38) having elevated levels of two risk factors and 1% (3) with three. The distribution of risk factors for coronary heart disease in this sample indicates a homogeneous population derived through selective survival remains by age 70 years. These results emphasize the need for additional investigations of genetic and environmental variables promoting longevity.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol