Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
A Radio-telemetric System to Monitor Cardiovascular Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Transection and Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Grafts
Published on: October 7, 2014
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Older Adults With Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury
Sophie Jörgensen1, Mattias Hill1, Jan Lexell2
1Department of Health Sciences, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Group, Lund University, Lund; and Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Background:
Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) now live longer, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors amenable to intervention are therefore needed to support their healthy aging.
Objective:
To describe the occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors among older adults with long-term SCI and investigate the association with sociodemographics and injury characteristics.
Design:
Cross-sectional descriptive cohort study.
Setting:
Home settings.
Participants:
In total, 123 individuals (71% men, injury levels C1-L5, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A-D), mean age 63 years, mean time since injury 24 years.
Methods:
Data from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS), collected through interviews and assessments during home visits and from medical records.
Main Outcome Measures:
Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and blood lipids, and data on cardiovascular comorbidity and tobacco use.
Results:
One third had a previous diagnosis of hypertension, and 55% presented with a blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg at the time of assessment. Sixteen percent had a history of diabetes and in 15% fasting glucose levels were ≥ 7 mmol/L. Dyslipidemia was present in 76%, whereas 16% had prediagnosed dyslipidemia. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27 kg/m2 and mean waist circumference was 101 cm. When SCI-adjusted BMI cut-off values were used, 93% were considered overweight (BMI ≥22 kg/m2 ), and 60% had a waist circumference associated with cardiometabolic risk. A total of 16% smoked regularly. The median number of cardiovascular risk factors was 3. No significant associations were found between the total number of risk factors and sociodemographics and injury characteristics.
Conclusions:
The high occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors among older adults with long-term SCI can pose additional consequences to their health. Regular assessments and interventions targeting cardiovascular risk in this population are therefore warranted. Further research is needed to identify modifiable factors associated with their risk profile.
Level Of Evidence:
III.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Spinal Cord
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:54The Spinal Cord
01:10Spinal Cord: Information Processing
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...
01:15Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy
01:16Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...