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Prevalence of cardiovascular disorders and risk factors in two 75-year-old birth cohorts examined in 1976–1977 and 2005–2006

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Abstract

Background and aims

The number of older people are increasing worldwide, and cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of death in western societies. This study examines birth cohort differences in cardiovascular disorders and risk factors in Swedish elderly.

Methods

Representative samples of 75-year-olds living in Gothenburg, Sweden, examined in 1976–1977 and in 2005–2006. Blood pressure, s-cholesterol, s-triglycerides, height, body weight, body mass index, history of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and stroke/TIA, and diabetes mellitus were measured.

Results

The prevalence of total cardiovascular disorders, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia decreased, and the prevalence of stroke increased in both genders. The prevalence of cardiovascular disorders was higher in women than in men in 1976–1977, and higher in men than in women in 2005–2006. The decrease in blood pressure occurred independently of antihypertensive treatment. The prevalence of current smokers decreased in men and increased in women. The prevalence of life-time smokers and diabetes mellitus increased only in women. The proportion on antihypertensive treatment and overweight and obesity increased only in men. Hypertension, overweight and obesity were more common in women in 1976–1977. These sex differences were not observed in 2005–2006.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence of cardiovascular disorders decreased, and sex differences reversed between the 1970s and 2000s among Swedish septuagenarians. Our findings emphasize the importance of environmental factors, not only for the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, but also as explanations for sex differences. Reasons for changes could be increased survival in those with disorders and risk factors, changes in lifestyle and diet, and better preventive strategies, such as treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension.

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Acknowledgments

The Swedish Research Council (11267, 2005-8460, 825-2007-7462), Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (no 2001-2835), Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (2004-0145, 2006-0596, 2008-1111, 2010-0870), Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (Epilife 2006-1506), The Alzheimer’s Association Zenith Award (ZEN-01-3151), The Alzheimer’s Association Stephanie B. Overstreet Scholars (IIRG-00-2159).The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, Swedish Brain Power, Axel Linder’s Foundation, Stiftelsen Söderström–Königska Sjukhemmet, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, Handlanden Hjalmar Svenssons Forskningsfond.

The sponsors had no influence on the design, methods, subject recruitment, data collections, analysis and preparation of the paper.

Conflict of interest

Ingmar Skoog has received honorarium as speaker for Esai, Pfizer, Jansen, Novartis, Lundbeck, Shire, General Electric and Nycomed. He is also consultant for Nycomed. All other authors have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Neuropsykiatri SU/Mölndal, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Wallinsgatan 6, Mölndal, 431 41, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Xinyue Zhi, Erik Joas, Margda Waern, Svante Östling, Anne Börjesson-Hanson & Ingmar Skoog

  2. Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China

    Xinyue Zhi

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  1. Xinyue Zhi
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  2. Erik Joas
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  3. Margda Waern
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  6. Ingmar Skoog
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Correspondence to Xinyue Zhi.

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Zhi, X., Joas, E., Waern, M. et al. Prevalence of cardiovascular disorders and risk factors in two 75-year-old birth cohorts examined in 1976–1977 and 2005–2006. Aging Clin Exp Res 25, 377–383 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0058-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0058-1

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