Impact of cardiovascular diseases on activity limitations and need for help among older persons

Abstract

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the importance of specific chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as determinants of disability.

Methods: One thousand two hundred eighty-eight (86%) participants from a random population sample of 1,500 individuals (from two geographical regions of Finland) aged 65-74 years were interviewed and clinically examined in 1997.

Results: CVDs were strongly associated with disability. However, mental disorders were the strongest determinant of disability. Of specific CVDs, cerebrovascular diseases in men, and myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cerebrovascular diseases in women were significantly associated with disability after adjustment for age and comorbidity. In men 33% and in women 24% of disability was attributable to CVD, excluding lone hypertension.

Conclusion: CVDs are important determinants of disability among Finns aged 65-74 years. Due to the growing number of elderly people with CVDs, disability associated with these diseases is likely to become a growing social and health burden to the community.