Abstract

GOMEZ NARIO, Ondina et al. Atherogenic risk factors in an elderly population. Rev Cubana Enfermer [online]. 2005, vol.21, n.3, pp. 1-1. ISSN 1561-2961.

Atherosclerosis is the first cause of death and of morbidity in hospital admissions in the world, where infections do not have such an important place. In Cuba, its most common and harmful organic consequences are also the first cause of death. A descriptive research was made in 108 elderly individuals of a total of 427 patients of both sexes during 2003 to identify atherogenic risk factors. Data were collected to get information on age, sex, birth weight, personal and family pathological history, smoking, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, concentration of serum cholesterol, and on its high density fraction and the degree of physical activity. It was found that 26.9 % of the sample were active smokers. 33.3 % were overweight, 15.7 % were obese, 81.4 % were hypertensive and of them 50 % were new patients. A high percentage did not practice physical exercises. It was observed that 78 patients had hypercholesterolaemia and that in 46 high density lipoprotein was reduced. Considerable percentages of atherogenic risk factors that may be modified to improve health and the quality of life were identified in the studied elderly population.

Keywords : Atherogenic risk factors; high density lipoproteins; atherosclerosis; hypercholesterolaemia; hypertriglyceridaemia; life style; elderly; lipid profile.

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