Using C-Reactive Protein to Predict Cardiovascular Risk in Older Patients

One of the major health concerns for older persons is their potential risk for serious cardiovascular events, a risk that rises dramatically with increasing age.1,2 For example, the average annual rate of first major cardiovascular events rises from 7 per 1000 men at ages 35-44 years to 68 per 1000 men at ages 85-94; comparable rates occur in women 10 years later in life.3

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is more prevalent in the elderly, with over 83% of cardiovascular disease deaths in the United States occurring in individuals age 65 years or older.4 Individuals in the sixth decade of...