Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the total study population (n = 1001)

Age¹ (years (range))

62 (36–81)

Male / Female (n (%))

783/218 (78/22)

Hypertension (n (%))

555 (55)

Metabolic syndrome (n (%))

244 (24)

Diabetes Mellitus (n (%))

200 (20)

Previous MI (n (%))

437 (44)

Current smokers (n (%))

204 (20)

BMI (kg/m²)

27.4 ± 3.7

Fasting glucose (mmol/L)

6.02 ± 1.82

HbA1C (%)

5.96 ±0.87

CRP (mg/L)

2.23 (1.03, 4.11)

Total cholesterol (mmol/L)

4.55 ±0.98

HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

1.34 ±0.41

LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

2.53 ± 0.83

Triglycerides (mmol/L) ²

1.29 (0.93, 1.82)

SBP (mmHg)

139 ±19

DBP (mmHg)

82 ±10

Medication (%)

Aspirin

100

Statins

98

Beta-blockers

76

ACEI / ARB

50

Nitrates

22