[Risk factors relating to coronary artery disease in the elderly]

A total of 224 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 167 healthy control beings (C) were evaluated for coronary risk factors. Analysis of low age subset (age less than 55) disclosed hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were more common findings in CAD compared with C. Significantly elevated plasma triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were found in CAD, accompanied by significant increase of atherogenic index (AI). In CAD, a decreased number of males and smokers was noted in high age subset (age over 65). Significantly reduced plasma TG and elevated HDL-C were observed in the elderly compared with the young. AI was also significantly higher in this group. Therefore, in CAD, the level of coronary risk factors seemed to be attenuated in the hig age subset compared with the low age group, which was different from the findings in C in whom significantly increased AI was noted in the elderly. In 61 CAD cases, lipid profiles were monitored for 5 years in average. Significant changes recognized during this period were the reduction of TG, LDL-C and AI along with the elevation of HDL-C, suggesting their risk to be improved. To examine the metabolic effects of diuretics, 52 patients with essential hypertension on trichlormethiazide for long periods were subjected to the substitution of this drug by the inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, enalapril, for more than 3 months. At the end of each treatment, measurements of blood sugar (BS) and insulin (IRI) were made together with lipid analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)