Cardiovascular risk of an overweight and obese population in Central County of Cartago, CARMEN 2001

Abstract

Aim: To determine the global cardiovascular risk of a population with overweight and obesity from Central Cartago County, CARMEN 2001.
Methodology: Descriptive crossed study based on the data of the CARMEN Project, carried out in Cartago, in 2001, using as a reference the classic Framingham Table. Sample, 373 persons with overweight and obesity were studied there were 142 men and 231 women, aged from 30 to 64 years old showing. Results: Of the total sample analyzed, 61.9% were women. The average age for the entire group was 45.1+9.4 years. Thirty eight point 8% of the population was between 35 and 44 years. Thirty nine point 8% of the women and 18,3% of men with overweight and 73% of obese men and 28.2% of obese women were included in the group with a moderate or high cardiovascular risk. The group with moderate to high cardiovascular risk also included 80, 21.3 and 55.4% of the patients showing diabetes, smoking habits and hypertension, respectively. The same risk was described for the patients having high serum cholesterol (24.3%), serum triglycerides over 150 mg/dL (42.9%), serum LDL over 130 mg/dL (37.2%) and low HDL (46.6%).
Conclusions: This study showed a high incidence of elevated blood lipid levels, hypertension and smoking habits in this population. These findings also confirmed that the higher the overweight and obesity as observed in this group, the higher the risk of hypertension, diabetes and elevated serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Consequently, body weight control appears as a key factor to diminish the cardiovascular risk in the population.