A cross-sectional comparative study of some cardiovascular risk factors in premenopausal and postmenopausal apparently healthy women of Ranchi

ABSTRACT

Background: Loss of estrogenic support may put postmenopausal women at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to examine premenopausal and postmenopausal woman to provide pertinent data on some of the cardiovascular risk factors and to know approximately the period which is under protection of estrogen and the period from which a woman is affected by changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in RIMS Ranchi from February 2018 to August 2019. A total of 262 apparently healthy women in the age group of 35–60 years were assessed for cardiovascular risk factors. Parameters assessed in premenopausal and postmenopausal women were heart rate, blood pressure (Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, blood sugar level, and lipid profile of the subjects. Results: Out of 262 participants, 132 were in the premenopausal group with mean age of 39.76 years and 130 were in the postmenopausal group with mean age of 50.8. Except BMI, all other cardiovascular risk parameters showed significant difference between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Conclusion: We concluded that adverse changes in lipid profile and blood sugar along with significant increase in other cardiac risk factors in postmenopausal women as compared to premenopausal group of the study predisposed this group of women at increased risk of having cardiovascular disease in near future. Hence, preventive measures against cardiovascular disease risk should be started in premenopausal period only.