Serum cholesterol concentration and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the aged.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The subjects of this investigation were 509 residents of a Home for the Aged — 195 men and 314 women whose ages ranged from 60 to 90 years. The cross‐sectional study included the distribution and prevalence of various serum cholesterol levels in the different old‐age groups and the association between serum cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, diabetes, and the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (such as ischemic heart disease and stroke). No association was found between serum cholesterol concentration and the level of systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Serum cholesterol concentrations above 250 mg/100 ml were more common in diabetic than in non‐diabetic females (p < 0.01) but no such relationship was found in the males. A positive correlation was demonstrated between serum cholesterol concentration and the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.01). In patients with clinically evident coronary and/or cerebral atherosclerosis, the greater prevalence of high serum cholesterol concentrations (above 250 mg/100 ml) was statistically significant in both sexes (p < 0.01).The results of this study support the view that there is a relationship between serum cholesterol concentration and the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases even in the older age groups. In the individual patient, however, the serum cholesterol concentration has only limited diagnostic and prognostic value.