OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), alone and in combination, in older persons.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of charts from all older persons seen from April 1, 1998, through December 31, 1998, at an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice.

SETTING

An academic hospital-based geriatrics practice staffed by fellows in a geriatrics training program and full-time faculty geriatricians.

PATIENTS

A total of 474 men and 1328 women, mean age 80 +/- 9 years (range 60 to 102 years) were included in the study.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 1802 persons studied, 612 (34%) had CAD, 351 (19%) had ischemic stroke, 236 (13%) had PAD, and 816 (45%) had either CAD, stroke, or PAD. Three hundred twenty-eight (18%) of the 1802 persons had CAD alone, 128 (7%) had stroke alone, 50 (3%) had PAD alone, 123 (7%) had CAD + stroke and no PAD, 86 (5%) had CAD + PAD and no stroke, 25 (1%) had PAD + stroke and no CAD, 75 (4%) had CAD + stroke + PAD, and 986 (55%) had no CAD, PAD, or stroke. If CAD was present, coexistent PAD was present in 26% and coexistent stroke in 32% of persons studied. If stroke was present, coexistent CAD was present in 56% and coexistent PAD in 28%. If PAD was present, coexistent CAD was present in 68% and coexistent stroke in 42% of persons studied.

CONCLUSIONS

These data showed that if CAD was present, ischemic stroke was also present in 32% and PAD in 26% of the population. If ischemic stroke was present, CAD was also present in 56% and PAD in 28% of the population. If PAD was present, CAD was also present in 68% and ischemic stroke in 42% of the population.