Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Risk factors in middle age that predict early and late onset of coronary heart disease
R J Benfante1, D M Reed, C J MacLean
1Honolulu Heart Program, Kuakini Medical Center, HI 96817.
Insights
Serum triglyceride uniquely predicts early coronary heart disease (CHD) onset. While smoking impacts both early and late CHD, other factors like blood pressure and cholesterol affect both similarly, highlighting varied risk factor influences.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors are well-established, but their differential impact on early versus late onset remains less understood.
- Understanding distinct predictors for premature versus later-life CHD is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
- Previous research shows inconsistencies regarding the role of certain risk factors, such as serum triglyceride levels, in CHD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in the predictive power of biological and lifestyle characteristics for early-onset versus late-onset coronary heart disease (CHD).
- To identify specific risk factors associated with premature CHD (under age 60) compared to later-life CHD (age 60 and over).
- To clarify the role of serum triglyceride as an independent predictor of CHD onset timing.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of twelve biological and lifestyle characteristics in 5919 middle-aged men initially free of CHD, stroke, and cancer.
- A 12-year follow-up period to track the incidence of definite CHD (non-fatal myocardial infarction and fatal CHD).
- Statistical analysis to compare the predictive value of risk factors for early (under 60) and late (60 and over) CHD onset groups.
Main Results:
- Serum triglyceride was the sole independent predictor for early-onset CHD, not associated with late-onset disease.
- Cigarette smoking predicted both early and late CHD, with a greater effect on earlier onset.
- Systolic blood pressure, alcohol intake, serum cholesterol, and serum glucose independently predicted both onset groups similarly.
Conclusions:
- Specific risk factors, notably serum triglyceride, can influence the timing of coronary heart disease (CHD) onset differently.
- Findings suggest serum triglyceride's role in early CHD may explain previous inconsistencies in its classification as an independent risk factor.
- Most studied characteristics remain important for preventing both premature and late-onset CHD, emphasizing comprehensive risk factor management.
Abstract:
Twelve biological and lifestyle characteristics measured in a group of 5919 middle aged men free of clinical coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and cancer were analyzed for differences in predicting early and late onset of new cases of definite CHD (non-fatal myocardial infarction and fatal CHD) over a 12-year follow-up period. Among these men, 151 cases of definite CHD occurred early (under age 60) and 135 cases occurred later in life (age 60 and over). Serum triglyceride was the only risk factor that was an independent predictor of early onset disease and not of late onset disease. While cigarette smoking was a predictor for both onset groups, the effect of smoking was greater in people who developed CHD earlier in life. Systolic blood pressure, alcohol intake, serum cholesterol and serum glucose were independent predictors for both onset groups, with no difference in effect between groups. The findings indicate that it is possible for some factors to affect CHD risk differently in terms of premature vs delayed onset of disease. The findings for serum triglyceride may account for some of the inconsistencies in reports regarding it as an independent risk factor for CHD. In general, however, most of the characteristics studied here had a similar effect on both early and late onset and thus remain important in the prevention of both premature and late onset of CHD.
More Related Videos
13:07Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
06:04Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...