Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población femenina urbana de México. El estudio FRIMEX IIa

Background: The fast epidemiological transition that occurred in Mexico for several decades has increased the importance of the chronicdegenerative diseases, particularly, those of cardiovascular origin. Factors as the systemic arterial hypertension, hypercolesterolemia, smoking, disglucemic condition and obesity are determinants of cardiovascular illness. Objective: To know the cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, hypertension arterial, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia of the Mexican women. Participants and methods: 164,656 female patients recruited in a growing epidemiological survey, aged 20-80, were studied. The sample was formed by 140,017 individuals, aged 44 ± 13 years and with a gender distribution of 42% men and 58% women, from six Mexican cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Leon and Tijuana). The frequencies of obesity, hypertension, smoking, total cholesterol and glucose in capillary blood, were estimated. Results: Obesity or overweight was found in 71.9% of the participants. Hypertension was found in 26.5% of them, and the proportions of awareness, treatment and control for this disease were 49.3, 73 and 36%, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension increased with age, it was higher in men younger than 60 years old, but in more aged individuals was higher in women. Hypercholesterolemia was found in 40% of the persons, and cholesterolemia ≥240 mg/dL was significantly higher in women; 35.5% of men and 18.1% of women smoked. In 10.4% of participants was found diabetes mellitus type 2. There were significant Pearson's correlations between body mass index and blood pressure; hypertension and glucose levels, and hypertension and total cholesterol concentrations. Conclusion: It is concluded that this population faces a high cardiovascular risk profile, and a great probability of the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.