Cholesterol screening in 5,719 self-referred elderly subjects
Article Abstract:
Heart and artery diseases are the main causes of illness, disability, and death among the elderly, causing 70 percent of all deaths in those over 75 years of age. Although deaths from heart disease have declined, blood cholesterol levels still predict quite accurately who will suffer from cardiovascular disease. The amounts of these fats, or lipids, in the blood is determined by a combination of heredity, diet and weight. The National Cholesterol Education Project (NCEP) recommends that everyone, beginning at 20 years of age, have his or her cholesterol level measured every three to five years. This study of cholesterol levels among 5,719 subjects over the age of 60 determined the prevalence of high cholesterol, that is, a total cholesterol level of 240 or above (or 200 to 239 if two or more other risk factors are present), as defined by the NCEP. The major question that arises is that of misclassification. Some coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors are: male sex, heart attack in parents or siblings before age 55, smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity. Most of the elderly will have at least two risk factors. The second problem is that total cholesterol by itself is a poor measure of risk. It is the ratio of high- to low-density lipoproteins that more accurately measures risk, and the elderly especially run the risk of being labelled as being at high risk when in fact they are at low risk. Most risk factors can be modified by diet, weight loss, smoking cessation, and drug therapy. Coronary artery disease is not inevitable with age. Some doubt whether the elderly should be screened at all, given problems of variable results, misclassification and widespread high cholesterol levels. The time, money, and effort would be better spent on education of all the elderly about healthful habits. In addition, labeling someone as being at risk can have the same detrimental effects as telling people they have high blood pressure, in terms of attitude, job performance, and behavior. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Nutrition and serum cholesterol levels among elderly men and women (Dutch nutrition surveillance system)
Article Abstract:
High blood cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease for most populations, including the elderly. Dietary changes have been found useful in lowering cholesterol levels in younger populations, but it is not certain that such changes have the same effect in the elderly. This study examined the relationship between diet and serum cholesterol levels in a healthy, elderly population to see what factors might be modified in this population in order to reduce the levels when they are high. The usual diet and the blood cholesterol levels were assessed in 199 men and 180 women between the ages of 65 and 79 years; the study was performed in the Netherlands. Results showed that the average total cholesterol levels were higher in the women than in the men (252 mg/dL versus 232 mg/dL). For men, cholesterol levels were higher when intakes of saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, total fat, and alcohol were higher and when body mass index (an indicator of obesity) was higher. For women, cholesterol levels were higher when intakes of saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, total fat, energy, cholesterol, and alcohol were higher. High-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were higher in men when alcohol consumption was higher or when consumption of simple carbohydrates (sugars) was lower. These results indicate that cholesterol levels are related to dietary factors in the elderly just as they are in younger people, and that dietary changes can be used to lower total cholesterol levels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Morbidity and mortality in rural community-dwelling elderly with low total serum cholesterol
Article Abstract:
The health, functional status and two-year mortality rates of community-dwelling rural elderly with serum cholesterol less than 150 mg/dl were compared with age- and sex-matched controls with serum cholesterol of 200-240 mg/dl. The low cholesterol group hadgreater smoking history, diabetes history, angina and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symtoms and required more assistance for heavy and light work. Results also showed that men in the low cholesterol group had lower bloodpressure. About 12% of the low cholesterol group died after two years as compared to 7% of the control group.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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