Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in high functioning older adults.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) is not well known in high functioning older adults. These data can help to decide if the implementation of preventive measures is necessary in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in high functioning older adults, the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis and CVRFs, and the influence of the CVRFs on subclinical atherosclerosis progression.

METHODS

Longitudinal cohort study. 246 high functioning older adults without clinical atherosclerotic disease. All subjects underwent carotid Doppler ultrasound at entry and 176 at 24 months.

RESULTS

Plaque was observed in 146 (59.3%) subjects at baseline. CVRFs showed a linear relationship to the presence of plaque: plaque was observed in 32% of subjects with no CVRFs, 54.2% with 1 factor, 61.6% with 2 factors, and 69.3% with 3 or more (p=.001). Only hypertension was independently associated with the presence of plaque (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.6; p=.013), adjusted for CVRFs. At 24 months, new plaque was observed in 20 (11.4%) subjects and carotid intima-media thickness had increased 0.02 mm per year. Subjects with plaque at baseline had a higher risk of greater total carotid plaque diameter at 2 years (OR 58.0; 95% CI, 19.7-170.5; p<.001), adjusted for all other CVRFs.

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical atherosclerosis is common in high functioning older adults and is associated with the classic CVRFs. Controlling these factors could be helpful in reducing atherosclerosis in older patients.