Table 1 Baseline Characteristics of Study Subjects^a

Age (years)

72.3 ± 7.3

72.8 ±5.5

Male

121/218 (55%)

169/288 (58.7%)

Carotid stenosis

0/218 (0%)

288/288 (100%)

TIA or stroke (TS group)

0/218 (0%)

100/288 (34.7%)

Hypertension

135/218 (62%)

211/288 (72%)^b

Current smokers

150/218 (69%)

167/288 (58%)^c

Body mass index (Kg/m²)

25.1 ± 3.6

25.7 ± 3.4

Total cholesterol (mg/dL)

212 ± 37

225 ± 42^c

LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)

122 ± 22

131 ± 26^c

HDL cholesterol (mg/dL)

68 ± 13

64 ± 19^b

Triglycerides (mg/dL)

121 ± 76

143 ±64^c

Platelet count (× 10³/mL)

235 ± 58

221 ± 54^c

Fibrinogen (mg/dL)

299 ± 73

373 ± 84^c