Favorable levels of all major cardiovascular risk factors at younger ages and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 39years later — The Chicago Healthy Aging Study

OBJECTIVES: Examine associations of favorable levels of all cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (RFs) i.e., low risk (LR) at younger ages with high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) at older ages. METHODS: (≥3 mg/l or ≥2 mg/l) vs. RESULTS: With multivariable adjustment, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for follow-up hs-CRP ≥3 mg/ in participants with baseline 0RF, 1RF and 2+RFs compared to those with baseline LR were 1.35 (0.89-2.03), 1.61(1.08-2.40) and 1.69(1.04-2.75), respectively. There was also a graded, direct association across four categories of RF groups with follow-up hs-CRP levels (β coefficient/P-trend = 0.18/0.014). Associations were mainly due to baseline smoking and BMI, independent of 39-year change in BMI levels. Similar trends were observed in gender-specific analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable levels of all CVD RFs in younger age are associated with lower hs-CRP level in older age.