Effect of beta blockers on incidence of new coronary events in older persons with prior myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus

Of 613 persons, mean age 79 +/- 9 years, with prior myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus, 68 (11%) had contraindications to beta blockers; 289 of 545 persons (53%) without contraindications to beta blockers were treated with beta blockers. The Cox regression model showed that significant independent predictors of new coronary events were age (risk ratio 1.02 for an increment of 1 year of age), systemic hypertension (risk ratio 2.0), serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol greater than or equal to 125 mg/dl (risk ratio 1.4), serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol less than or equal to 35 mg/dl (risk ratio 1.6), and use of beta blockers (risk ratio 0.73).