In very elderly participants of the Framingham Heart Study (mean age 79 years, 276 men and 462 women), interleukin-6 correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 production, and CRP were not associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use did not influence cytokine or CRP levels. Further studies are warranted to examine the prognostic implications of CRP and related cytokines for CVD in the elderly.