The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among centenarians is low: risk factors in centenarians.
BACKGROUND
The presence of major cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in a group of centenarians.


METHODS
The following risk factors: sex, smoking, overweight, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were analysed in 93 centenarians and compared with data obtained from 90 individuals age 40-60 years.


RESULTS
Smoking, overweight and hypercholesterolemia were found statistically more often in a younger population, whereas hypertension was diagnosed more frequently in centenarians. No or one risk factor were found in 55.4% of centenarians and in 14.2% of younger subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Centenarians are characterized by a much better cardiovascular risk profile than middle-aged individuals. This indicates that longevity is related to low cardiovascular risk.
Zyczkowska
Jolanta
J
Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland.
Klich-Raczka
Alicja
A
Wizner
Barbara
B
Mossakowska
Małgorzata
M
Wieczorowska-Tobis
Katarzyna
K
Grodzicki
Tomasz
T
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology