Related Experiment Videos
High blood pressure and 'ischaemic' ECG patterns in climacteric women
Insights
High blood pressure (HBP) and ischemic electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns are significantly more common in climacteric women compared to controls. These cardiovascular risks correlate significantly, highlighting a need for increased screening during menopause.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gynecology
- Public Health
Background:
- The climacteric period is associated with hormonal changes that can impact cardiovascular health.
- Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and ischemic changes needs evaluation in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) and resting ischemic electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns in women during the climacteric.
- To compare these prevalence rates with a control group of women of advanced reproductive age.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 494 outpatients up to age 65.
- Participants were categorized into pre-menopausal, natural post-menopausal, surgical post-menopausal, and a control group.
- Blood pressure and resting ECGs (using Minnesota Code) were assessed.
Main Results:
- High blood pressure was observed in 26.6% of the climacteric group versus 6.5% in controls (p<0.05).
- Ischemic ECG patterns were found in 20.3% of the climacteric group versus 9.1% in controls (p<0.05).
- A significant correlation was identified between HBP and ischemic ECG patterns.
Conclusions:
- Women in the climacteric exhibit significantly higher rates of HBP and ischemic ECG patterns.
- The co-occurrence of HBP and ischemic ECG patterns suggests a heightened cardiovascular risk profile during menopause.
- Further research and targeted screening for cardiovascular disease in menopausal women are warranted.
Abstract:
A study to evaluate the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) and resting 'ischaemic' electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns in the climacteric was carried out in 494 outpatients aged up to 65 yr. The study group was made up of 91 pre-menopausal women, 235 natural post-menopausal women, 91 surgical post-menopausal women and 77 women of advanced reproductive age, who comprised the control group. High systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure values were seen in 26.6% of the overall climacteric group (C), i.e. in 23.1% of the pre-menopausal women (PM); 28.9% of the natural post-menopausal women (NMt); and 24.2% of the surgical post-menopausal women (SMt), these frequencies being statistically significant compared to that in the control group (K) (6.5%). 'Ischaemic' ECG patterns (according to the Minnesota Code definition) were observed in 20.3% of the C group, in 22.0% of the PM group and in 27.5% of the SMt group, these rates being statistically significant compared to that in the control group (9.1%). Minnesota Code 4:1 and 5: 1-2 patterns were present in 5.7%, and 4:2 and 5:3 patterns in 14.6% of the C group. A significant correlation was found between HBP (systolic and diastolic) and 'ischaemic' ECG patterns.