CARRYING THE BURDEN OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN OLD-AGE - ASSOCIATIONS OF WEIGHT AND WEIGHT CHANGE WITH PREVALENT CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE, RISK-FACTORS, AND HEALTH-STATUS IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR-HEALTH-STUDY

Measured weight in old age, reported weight at age 50 y, and weight ch ange from age 50 y to old age were studied in association with prevale nt cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk factors, acid health status in a population of 4954 men and women aged greater than or equal to 65 y in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). Heavier weight (ie, gener ally weight in the fourth quartile for the cohort) at age 50 y was mor e closely associated with prevalent CVD than was current weight, with these associations stronger in women than in men. Heavier current weig ht and heavier weight at age 50 y were associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including higher blood pressure, lower high-density-lipo protein cholesterol, and higher fasting insulin. Heavier weight at bot h time points was related to mobility problems in both men and women a nd to lower current physical activity levels; among women, strong asso ciations were also seen with lower education and current income. Remai ning within 10% of reported weight at age 50 y was associated with bet ter health status as measured by reported health, mobility difficulty, number of medications, and prevalent CVD in men. Paradoxically, most cardiovascular risk factors were lowest for weight losers despite an a ssociation of weight loss with poorer health. In this cohort of person s aged greater than or equal to 65 y, heavier weight was associated wi th CVD and CVD risk factors, suggesting that prevention of overweight may prove beneficial in improving cardiovascular risk in older persons . Weight stability from age 50 y to old age was associated with better health status than was weight gain or loss.