Table 1. Characteristics of 1568 men entering trial. Figures are numbers (percentage) unless stated otherwise

Active (n=783)
 Placebo (n=785)
Mean (SD) age (years) 68.4 (8.9) 68.0 (8.8)
Smoking:
  Current 306 (39.1) 287 (36.6)
  Former 447 (57.1) 460 (58.6)
  Never 30 (3.8) 38 (4.8)
History*:
  Myocardial infarction 151 (20.5) 160 (21.7)
  Stroke  95 (12.9)  88 (11.9)
  Stable angina 176 (22.5) 200 (25.5)
  None 444 (60.4) 420 (56.8)
Mean (SD) blood pressure (mm Hg):
  Systolic 148.4 (22.6) 148.0 (21.9)
  Diastolic 77.2 (11.9) 77.6 (11.4)
Diabetesdagger 137 (17.5) 131 (16.7)
Antiplatelet medicationDagger 484 (65.9) 482 (65.2)
Median (IQR) fibrinogen concentration (g/l) 3.37 (2.96-3.76) 3.35 (2.99-3.74)
Median (IQR) cholesterol concentration (mmol/l):
  Total 5.6 (5.0-6.3) 5.6 (5.0-6.2)
  Low density lipoprotein 3.37 (2.78-3.97) 3.40 (2.85-3.96)
  High density lipoprotein 1.11 (0.95-1.40) 1.13 (0.95-1.37)
Median (IQR) triglyceride concentration (mmol/l) 2.11 (1.53-3.01) 2.15 (1.56-2.89)
IQR=interquartile range.
* Some men had more than one condition, and for some data were missing
dagger Treatment: 24% on insulin, 57% on oral therapy; 22% diet only.
Dagger Treatment: 95% on aspirin, 5% on dipyridamole. For some men data were missing.