Blood pressure as a predictor of cardiovascular events in the elderly: the William Hale Research Program.

This study evaluates the association between blood pressure (BP) and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in the elderly. The Morton Plant Mease Foundation has followed 4,008 elderly patients >64 years of age for at least 5 years. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) was divided into categories. Cardiovascular disease events were classified as myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD-related deaths reported from the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazard ratios were used to assess the relationship between BP and CVD events and controlled for weight, gender, smoker, and alcohol use. Ages <75 and >or=75 years were assessed separately. After 11.1 years of follow-up, elevated SBP (P=<0.0001) is strongly associated with developing a future CVD event; the relationship is linear and graded and holds for ages above and below 75 years. The frequency of CVD events was lowest in the SBP <120 mm Hg group. In subjects <75 years of age, DBP elevations were not a significant risk factor for CVD events. (relative risk (RR): DBP 70 to <80 mm Hg=0.92; DBP 80 to <90 mm Hg=0.88; DBP >or=90 mm Hg=1.02.) With subjects >or=75 years of age, a DBP between 80 and 90 is associated with the lowest significant risk for CVD (RR: DBP 70 to <80 mm Hg=0.74; DBP 80 to <90 mm Hg=0.59; DBP >or=90=0.71). In conclusion, these findings support the Joint National Committee on Hypertension recommendations for SBP in the elderly. Further studies are warranted to identify optimal DBP for the elderly at various ages.

Dietary therapy for preventing and treating coronary artery disease.

Nearly one half of Americans die of cardiovascular disease. The morbidity and mortality associated with coronary artery disease is strongly related to abnormal lipid levels, oxidation of lipids and intra-arterial clot formation. Nutrition powerfully influences each of these factors. There is growing evidence that patients can improve lipid levels and decrease the rate of cardiovascular events by "adding" specific foods to their diets and switching from saturated and polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fats and n-3 fatty acids. Appropriate dietary changes decrease arteriosclerotic plaque formation, improve endothelial vasomotor dynamics, reduce oxidation of low-density lipoproteins and enhance thrombolytic activity. Brief discussions between physicians and patients can influence patients' food choices. Changes in diet can reduce the premature mortality and morbidity associated with coronary artery disease.

Malaria: chemoprophylaxis and therapy.

Malaria should be considered in a patient with unexplained fever and a history of travel to an endemic area. Aggressive therapy must be started if Plasmodium falciparum infection is a possibility. Travelers must be educated about mosquito bite protection and appropriate chemoprophylaxis. Travelers can, however, acquire malaria despite chemoprophylaxis, and symptoms may appear up to one year after the trip.