Abstract

ESQUIVEL-SOLIS, Viviana; ALVARADO, Marco Vinicio; SOLANO-QUIROS, Gina  and  RAMIREZ- LEANDRO, Adriana. Cardiovascular risk factors among women with over weight and obesity. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2008, vol.50, n.4, pp.213-220. ISSN 0001-6002.

Background and aim: Ischemic heart disease is defined by the World Health Organization as an acute and chronic cardiac disability that results from the reduction of blood flow to the myocardium. This is associated with pathological processes of the arterial coronary artery system and to the main cause of general mortality of adults in Costa Rica and the world. The present study describes the risk factors for cardiovascular disease found in a group of overweight and obese women, residents of the area under the Comprehensive Health Program (PAIS), a joint program of to the University of Costa Rica and the Social Security System. Methods: We studied 90 overweight or obese women, aged 18-49 years, 30 women from each of the districts covered by PAIS (Curridabat, La Union and Montes de Oca), during 2007. The risk factors evaluated were all the ones recommended by ATPIII of the American Heart Association. Results: Seventy four percent of women showed LDL cholesterol values off the acceptable range, 50% had non-desirable total cholesterol levels, 51.3% showed high blood pressure. More prevalent predisposing risk factors were obesity (64%), and 61% expended less than 2000 Kcal per week in physical activities, which classified them as sedentary. The only conditional risk factor that was evaluated was hypertrygliceridemia wich appeared in 25.3% of the women. Conclusions: Women residents in the area covered by PAIS showed at least 2 cardiovascular risk factors. This group should be addressed with health promotion and preventive strategies in order to improve their own their family health and the community where they live.

Keywords : risk factors; cardiovascular disease; women.

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