Abstract
Background
The presence of major cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in a group of centenarians.
Methods
The following risk factors: sex, smoking, overweight, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were analysed in 93 centenarians and compared with data obtained from 90 individuals age 40–60 years.
Results
Smoking, overweight and hypercholesterolemia were found statistically more often in a younger population, whereas hypertension was diagnosed more frequently in centenarians. No or one risk factor were found in 55.4% of centenarians and in 14.2% of younger subjects.
Conclusions
Centenarians are characterized by a much better cardiovascular risk profile than middle-aged individuals. This indicates that longevity is related to low cardiovascular risk.
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