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Hematocrit and cardiovascular risk factors among elderly men and women (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System)
1TNO Toxicology and Nutrition Institute, Department of Human Nutrition, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study found that hematocrit, a measure of red blood cells, is linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure in older adults. These hemorrheological factors are important for understanding heart health in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may influence disease development through changes in blood viscosity.
- Hematocrit, a key determinant of blood viscosity, warrants investigation in relation to CVD risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between hematocrit and common CVD risk factors in apparently healthy elderly individuals.
- To explore potential hemorrheological pathways in cardiovascular health among older adults.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide survey of 514 healthy Dutch men and women aged 65-79.
- Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to assess associations between hematocrit and CVD risk factors (tobacco smoking, serum cholesterol, body mass index, blood pressure).
Main Results:
- In men, hematocrit showed positive associations with diastolic blood pressure and total serum cholesterol.
- In women, hematocrit was positively associated with body mass index and smoking.
- Hematocrit correlated positively with hemoglobin and erythrocyte count, except for smoking's association with mean corpuscular volume.
Conclusions:
- Hematocrit is associated with several CVD risk factors in elderly men and women.
- Hemorrheological factors, including hematocrit, should be considered in the study of CVD in elderly populations.
Abstract:
Changes in whole blood viscosity associated with hematocrit could be one of the pathways along which the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors affect these diseases. Therefore, we studied in a nationwide survey comprising 514 apparently healthy Dutch elderly men and women aged 65-79 the possibility of any association between hematocrit and CVD risk factors (tobacco smoking, serum cholesterol, body mass index and blood pressure). Among men, diastolic blood pressure and total serum cholesterol were positively associated with hematocrit in both bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, whereas positive associations of hematocrit with body mass index and smoking were only significant (p < 0.05) in bivariate analysis. Among women, hematocrit was positively associated with body mass index and smoking. Except for smoking, which was associated with the mean corpuscular volume of the erythrocytes, hematocrit was positively correlated with hemoglobin and the number of erythrocytes. It is concluded that hemorrheological aspects should be considered when studying CVD among elderly people.