These data support the concept that the C-344T polymorphism plays a role in controlling systolic blood pressure and the age-related increase in systolic blood pressure in response to age and to body fat, possibly through differences in modulation of aldosterone synthesis.

The cardiovascular effects usually attributed to menopause seem to be a mere consequence of the older age of menopausal women.

To investigate the relationships between aging and selenium status, vitamins A and E, and plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids, we studied 105 healthy subjects (53 women, 52 men) living in Nove, a village near Vicenza (Veneto Region, northern Italy). The subjects were distributed equally for age and sex into four groups: group 1, 20-39 y; group 2, 40-59 y; group 3, 60-75 y; and group 4, > 75 y. A careful selection of subjects to exclude those with chronic or acute diseases was obtained with the collaboration of the three general practitioners operating in Nove. Aging was associated with a progressive decrease in selenium status and in the ratio of plasma and erythrocyte polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P:S). Stepwise multiple linear analysis revealed age, vitamin A, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as useful predictors of a substantial proportion of the selenium variability (R = 0.618, R2 = 0.382; P < 0.001) and age and erythrocyte oleic acid as predictors of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase variability (R = 0.413, R2 = 0.17; P < 0.001).

The question on whether the electrocardiographic criteria are reliable for detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and play a role in predicting outcome is open. Answer can only proceed from population-based studies over unselected people followed up for years. In this study, 1,699 subjects from general population underwent echocardiogram and standard electrocardiogram (ECG) codified for LVH with Minnesota code and with other five methods. Other items were also recorded and used as covariables. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 127.6 +/- 44.9 g m(-2) in men and 120.8 +/- 41.2 g m(-2 )in women, and correlated directly with age in both genders. Prevalence of echocardiographic LVH was 36.6% in men and 53.4% in women. LVMI correlated directly with the Sokolow-Lyon score in both genders at any age, with the Romhilt-Estes, Cornell and R(aVL) scores in all subjects but elderly men, and with the Lewis score in men and women aged < or =69 years. Sensitivity and the predictive value of electrocardiographic tests, as well as the prevalence of LVH diagnosed with electrocardiographic criteria, were always low. Specificity was high for all the tests, and in particular for the Cornell index. Only when diagnosed with echocardiogram or with the Sokolow-Lyon criterion, LVH was an independent predictor of mortality. We conclude that electrocardiographic tests cannot be used as a surrogate of echocardiogram in detecting LVH in the general population because their positive predictive value (PPV) is unacceptably low. On the contrary, they could replace echocardiography in the follow up and for prediction of outcome, when LVH has previously been correctly diagnosed with other methods

An interaction exists between the C825T polymorphism and menopause in controlling body adiposity and blood pressure in women. Adiposity and SBP are higher in menopausal than in fertile women, provided they have the CC genotype. TT fertile women show the same adiposity as those in menopause. Men have the same excess adiposity as menopausal women, independent of the GNB3 genotype.