RESUMO
We carried out a multicenter cross-sectional study in Argentina to investigate the prevalence of behavioral and other risk factors for coronary heart disease in patients aged 90 years or more and to study the association between risk factors and longevity. Data were collected on 322 individuals aged 90 years or more, 47% of whom had a family history of longevity. The majority ate meals comprising mainly fruit, milk and vegetables every day and half of the participants drank a moderate amount of red wine. On average, their body mass index was normal and they regularly took some form of physical activity. Generally, diabetes mellitus was associated with obesity. The onset of arterial hypertension occurred at the high average age of 72 years. Few were found to be current smokers. Few individuals had two concurrent risk factors, and even fewer had three concurrent major coronary risk factors. In conclusion, patients aged 90 or more in our series showed characteristics indicating both a genetic trait and environmental factors favouring longevity.