[Cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of middle-aged women]

It is generally accepted that menopause significantly modifies cardiovascular risk. The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on this risk remain controversial.

To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) in middle-aged women and their changes with aging, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 576 women aged 40 to 59 years in 1991-92. Five years later, 467 of these women were reassessed.

Sedentarism (87.2%), dyslipidemias (71.5%), high blood pressure (13.5%), obesity (13.1%), smoking (12.4%) and diabetes (2.8%) were the most prevalent RF. Five years later, the prevalence of hypertension increased to 20.9%, the prevalence of obesity increased to 27.3%, smoking increased to 20.8% and diabetes to 5.9%. The prevalence of dyslipidemia did not change, although triglycerides levels rose from 125.9 +/- 56.4 to 136.8 +/- 63.5 mg/dl (p < 0.001). Sedentarism dropped to 58.8%. Menopause did not deteriorate any of these RF. The use of HRT increased during the 5 years follow-up from 3.8% to 35%. Women on HRT experienced 3% decrease in LDL-cholesterol and 9% increase in HDL-cholesterol levels.

Middle aged women included in this cohort have a high prevalence of RF. There is a deterioration with age, but not with menopause. HRT improves the lipid profile.