Related Experiment Videos
[Lipid parameters and cardiovascular risks in elderly patients hospitalized for ischemic cardiopathy. A case-control
Insights
In elderly individuals, the total/HDL cholesterol ratio is a more reliable predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk than total cholesterol. This finding aids in assessing cardiovascular risk in older populations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
- Public Health
Context:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) poses a significant health risk in the elderly population.
- Understanding lipid profiles and their association with CHD is crucial for preventative strategies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between elevated blood lipid concentrations and clinical expressions of coronary heart disease (CHD) in elderly individuals.
- To identify reliable predictors of CHD risk in older adults.
Summary:
- A study involving elderly hospitalized patients and a matched control group examined various risk factors for CHD.
- Stepwise multiple logistic regression identified the total/HDL cholesterol ratio, BMI, duration of hypertension, and cigarette smoke exposure as significant predictors of CHD risk.
- The total/HDL cholesterol ratio emerged as a more predictive index of coronary risk in the elderly compared to total blood cholesterol concentration.
Impact:
- Provides evidence supporting the use of the total/HDL cholesterol ratio for more accurate coronary risk assessment in the elderly.
- Informs clinical practice and public health initiatives focused on cardiovascular disease prevention in aging populations.
- Highlights the importance of managing lipid profiles, BMI, hypertension, and smoking cessation for reducing CHD risk in seniors.
Abstract:
In order to evaluate whether and to what extent elevated blood lipid concentrations and clinical expressions of coronary heart disease (CHD) are associated in the elderly, we studied the risk of CHD (myocardial infarction and angina pectoris) in a population of elderly hospitalized patients (210 subjects, 126 men and 84 women, average age 76 +/- 6 years) exposed to risk factors. 210 patients, free from current and previous cardiovascular diseases, age and sex matched, were recruited as the control group. Advanced senile decline, severe hepatic or renal failure and malignancies were considered exclusion criteria for both groups. The following dichotomic variables (familial history of CHD, cigarette smoking, clinical history of arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia) and continuous variables (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, body mass index (BMI), years of exposure to risk factors) were considered. Using a stepwise multiple logistic regression forward method, the following variables resulted significantly associated with the risk of CHD: total/HDL cholesterol ratio (OR 1,89), BMI (OR 1,04), period of hypertension (OR 1,04) and cigarette smoke exposure (OR 1,007). We conclude that in the elderly the total/HDL cholesterol ratio can be a more predictive and reliable index of coronary risk than blood total cholesterol concentration.