Risk factors for coronary artery disease in persons older than 62 years in a long-term health care facility.

A history of smoking 5 to 60 cigarettes per day, hypercholesterolemia (fasting total serum cholesterol 200 mg/dl or more), history of systolic (160 mm Hg or more) or diastolic (90 mm Hg or more) hypertension, diabetes mellitus (fasting venous plasma glucose 140 mg/dl or more) and obesity (at least 20% above ideal body weight) were correlated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in 138 men (mean age 82 +/- 8 years) and 380 women (mean age 82 +/- 8 years) in a long-term health care facility. CAD occurred in 43 of 138 men (31%) and in 103 of 380 women (27%), difference not significant. A history of smoking 5 to 60 cigarettes per day significantly correlated with CAD in men (p less than 0.001) but not in women. Hypercholesterolemia significantly correlated with CAD in both men (p less than 0.001) and women (p less than 0.005). A history of systemic hypertension significantly correlated with CAD in women (p less than 0.001) but not in men. Diabetes mellitus did not significantly correlate with CAD in men or women but weakly correlated with CAD in men plus women (p less than 0.05). Obesity did not significantly correlate with CAD in men or women. Hypercholesterolemia, a history of smoking 5 to 60 cigarettes per day, and a history of systemic hypertension were considered major risk factors. Having 2 or 3 major risk factors correlated with CAD significantly better than having no or 1 major risk factor in both elderly men (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.01) and women (p less than 0.001).