[Relationship between hematological factors and metabolic syndrome in an iranian population isfahan healthy heart program]

Metabolic syndrome is considered as one of the risk factor for Cardio Vascular Disease [CVD]. Correlation between this syndrom and white and red blood cell counts is unknown whereas the relationship between insulin resistance and hamatologic factors is indicated in some published articles. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between hematologic parameters and metabolic syndrome. In a descriptive study 11974 over 19 years old participants in Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak in rural and urban areas was evaluated as part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program [IHHP] study . At first these participants' demographic data [age, sex, past history and drug consumption] were collected then trained physicians measured their blood pressure and waist circumference. Blood pressure in two separate occasions was recorded and mean of these measures was used in this study. In all participants, laboratory examinations [RBC, WBC, HDL-C, FBS, TG] were done after a 12 hour fasting. Participants were evaluated for metabolic syndrome according to ATP-III criteria. Data were entered in to SPSS-11 and analyzed by t-test and Spearmen correlation. Overall 6132[51%] females and 5842[49%] males with mean age of 35.6 +/- 3.8 and 35.9 +/- 32 year were studied respectively. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in male and female participants were 10.6% and 35% respectively and 23/1% in overall. WBC and RBC counts were higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to those of normal subjects. Correlation between metabolic syndrome and RBC and WBC counts was significant excluding the case of hypertension. The most powerful correlation was obsereved between count RBC and HDL-C [r: -0.245, p<0.001], WBC and TG [r: 0.195, p<0.001]. We observed increased RBC and WBC counts in patients with metabolic syndrome. In this regard a widespread study may help us use these hematologic parameters even in normal values as indicators for evaluation of high risk patients

causes of failure to control hypertension in population aged over 65

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and the prevalence of hypertension shows a linear increase with aging so that it increases by 10 percent for every 10 years. To investigate the causes of failure to control blood pressure in people aged over 65 years. This research was a descriptive case-control study on 200 cases aged over 65 years, who were diagnosed with hypertension through a routine travel check-up for pilgrimage to Mecca, carried out at Isfahan Amine Hospital in 2003. Following the medical examinations and measuring blood pressure according to WHO standards, the subjects were divided into two groups marked as controlled blood pressure [case group] and uncontrolled blood pressure [control group]. A questionnaire was filled in for each subject and the data were analyzed with X[2] and t-student test. The age mean values were 70.7 +/- 5.2 and 69.5 +/- 4.9 in case and control groups, respectively. In case group, less than half of the subjects were taking their anti hypertensive drugs regularly and 12.5% followed their own way of self-therapy. 55% of people in case group expressed a lack of motivation as the cause of discontinuation of their therapy. Also, their knowledge and practice were found to be significantly lower than control group [p<0.05]. In comparison with other studies, it was observed that the most common causes of failure to control blood pressure are poor knowledge, inappropriate practice in avoiding risk factors and the discontinuation of the complete pharmaceutical antihypertensive therapy

Obesity and its association with other cardiovascular risk factors in women's in central Iran - women healthy heart project

Cardiovascular diseases [CVD] are considered the most important cause of death worldwide. Obesity is a major CVD risk factor. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and its association with other CVD risk factors in Iranian women. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2001 as part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program [IHHP] in three Central Iranian cities of Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak. Being over 19 years of age, absence of pregnancy, absence of mental retardation and Iranian nationality were the criteria for inclusion in the study. A questionnaire on demographics characteristics, drug consumption, smoking status, and physical activity were filled out for every subject. Height, weight and blood pressure of all subjects were measured and fasting blood samples were taken to measure blood glucose and lipids. The data were analyzed with T-test, X[2] and multiple linear regression, using SPSS11. Of 6391 women aged 38.8 +/- 14.5 years participating in the study, 79% lived in the urban areas and 21% in the rural areas. The prevalence of a higher BMI was greater in urban areas in all ages. Hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol-triglyceride and LDL-C disorders and inadequate physical activity were more prevalent in obese women than normal ones, but no significant difference was seen in HDL-C disorder and smoking between the two groups [P<0.05]. There was a significant positive relationship between BMI and age, blood glucose and urban residence, and a negative relationship was observed between BMI and inadequate physical activity [P<0.05]. The high prevalence of obesity and the major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in urban areas is testament to unhealthy lifestyle and insufficient physical activity of women in areas studied