Determinants of healthy ageing and its relation to 10-year cardiovascular disease incidence: the ATTICA study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to understand determinants of ageing in relation to future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events at population level, and to explore determinants of healthy ageing and its relation to 10-year CVD incidence among apparently healthy individuals.

METHODS

In the context of the ATTICA study 453 apparently healthy men (45±13 years) and 400 women (44±18 years) with complete psychological evaluation were studied and followed during 2002-2012. Healthy Ageing Index (HAI) (range 0-7) was calculated based on socio-economical, bio-clinical, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics (i.e. dietary habits and physical activity) of the participants during the baseline examination. CVD incidence during the follow-up period was defined according to ICD-10 criteria.

RESULTS

Healthy Ageing Index was inversely associated with higher 10-year CVD risk (OR per 1/7 (95% CI): 0.47 (0.28, 0.80). Age and sex-adjusted determinants of healthy ageing were abnormal waist to hip ratio (p<0.001), increased coffee consumption (p=0.04), reduced basic metabolic rhythm (p<0.001), increased triglycerides (p=0.003), and C-reactive protein levels (p=0.02), as aggravating factors, while moderate alcohol consumption (p=0.002) was identified as a positive influential parameter.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding healthy ageing, as a dominant factor of CVD development, provides a new direction for better prevention efforts focused on healthy ageing at both population and individual level.