Cardiovascular risk in middle-aged women at "Mártires del Corynthia" policlinic

Abstract

Introduction: It is important to know the cardiovascular risk during the years leading up to menopause for preventive actionsin order to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Objective: Determine the overall cardiovascular risk in supposedly healthy middle-aged women at "Mártires del Corynthia" Policlinic.
Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study in supposedly healthywomen aged 40-59 years was carried out at "Mártires del Corynthia" Policlinic, who were assisted from June 1st, 2012 to June 1st, 2013. The universe of study was comprised of 415 women from four medical practices. The sample was consideredinto two parts.The first part considered alpha 0.05 with a confidence level of 95 % equal to a statistical program called SAMPLE. The universe consisted of 415 women of the fourmedical practices and the result was 200 women as significant sample. A simple random sample was done at the second step, numbering the total of the universe and choosing the odd numbers up to a total sample of 200 women.
Results: 186 women at low risk (93 %), 13 with moderate risk (6.5 %) and one at high risk (0.5 %) were found. The cardiovascular risk factors found were hypercholesterolemia (43.5 %), smoking (26.5 %), hypertension (16.0 %), and diabetes mellitus (11.0 %). Older age and postmenopause were associated with increased cardiovascular risk (p= 0.049 and p= 0.050 respectively).
Conclusions: Cardiovascular risk factors were found in supposedly healthy women,making important to establish measures and educational guidance in this group.