Table 1.
Characteristics of the study population (n = 70)
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Gender (male), n (%) | 53 (76) |
| Age (years, mean ± SD) | 64.5 ± 8.7 |
| Heart failure characteristics, n (%) | |
| Ischaemic cardiomyopathy | 44 (63) |
| Nonischaemic cardiomyopathy | 26 (37) |
| NYHA functional class (mean ± SD) | 2.6 ± 0.5 |
| LVEF (%, mean ± SD) | 26 ± 7.4 |
| Clinical cardiovascular risk factors, n (%) | |
| Diabetes | 9 (13) |
| Hypercholesterolaemiaa | 17 (24) |
| Hypertensionb | 22 (31) |
| Family history of coronary artery diseasec | 20 (29) |
| Current smoking | 22 (31) |
| Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), n (%) | 22 (31) |
| Medication, n (%) | |
| Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II antagonist | 62 (89) |
| Beta-blocker | 49 (70) |
| Lipid-lowering agent | 48 (69) |
| Diuretic | 64 (91) |
aSerum total cholesterol ≥230 mg/dl and/or serum triglycerides ≥200 mg/dl or treatment with a lipid-lowering drug.
bSystolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg and/or the use of antihypertensive medication.
cPresence of coronary artery disease in a first degree family member at <55 years in men and <65 years in women