Older adults should remain mindful of risk factors for cardiovascular disease identified in an NIH-funded study, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation. Photo by stevepb
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health recommends adults over age 65 continue to be mindful of risks for cardiovascular disease.
The research was published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society as part of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study. Scientists examined individuals over a 10-year period to observe the development of risk factors associated with stroke and heart disease. After reviewing the data, the authors say many of those risks remain relevant later in life.
"As life expectancy continues to increase, we need to improve risk factor prevention and management for stroke and heart disease across the lifespan, including those adults over the age of 65," author Claudia Moy said in a press release. "The latest findings from the REGARDS study reveal that no age group is immune to risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and that prevention efforts should target all adults."
Specific risk factors identified include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation. While smoking is also a known contributor, the authors noted individuals rarely take up the habit after the age of 30.
In addition to concluding cardiovascular concerns are still relevant for older adults, the study's authors also observed racial disparities. Black men older than 75 years old were found to have a 24 percent greater risk of developing high blood pressure compared to white men. Black women between between 45 and 54 were found to have a 93 percent higher change of developing high blood pressure. Despite the differences, the NIH maintains preventing the development may be beneficial for all subgroups.
"In addition to improving treatment and control of potent risk factors for stroke and heart disease, finding ways to prevent development of those risk factors may be a potential strategy to lower rates of cardiovascular disease across the age span, but especially in black Americans," Moy added.
