Use of cardiovascular drugs by home-dwelling coronary patients aged 75 years and older - A population-based cross-sectional survey in Helsinki, Finland

Objective: Elderly individuals constitute an increasing proportion of coron ary patients, and up-to-date information is needed of their treatments in t he community. Methods: A random sample of 75-, 80-, 85-, 90- and 95-year-old residents (n =3921) of Helsinki, Finland, was studied during 1998-1999. They were sent a postal questionnaire with questions about health, diseases and current dru g use. Results: The response rate of home-dwelling elderly persons was 78% (n=2511 ). Of men and women, 75.8% and 79.8%, respectively, had some regular medica tion (P <0.05 between genders). Of home-dwelling individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD, n = 717, 28.6%), 61.0% of women and 68.3% of men used a spirin, 58.4% and 52.9% nitrates, 54.7% and 52.4% beta-blockers, 20.0% and 13.7% (angiontensin-converting enzyme) ACE inhibitors and 25.1% and 21.1% c alcium-channel blockers. Only 14.3% and 19.4% were on cholesterol-lowering drugs. The difference in ACE inhibitor, diuretic and digoxin use was statis tically significant (P < 0.05) between genders (women used more). Conclusion: Cardiovascular drug use is very common among the oldest age coh orts, but assuming that knowledge, from younger individuals applies, there is a P suboptimal use of several evidence-based treatments, especially lipi d-lowering drugs, aspirin and beta-blockers in elderly coronary patients.