[Atherogenic Plasma indices and their association with cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women: A...

Introduction: Menopause represents a critical stage of aging, marked by a decrease in estradiol and progesterone, which contributes to vascular dysfunction, increased blood pressure, accumulation of abdominal fat and hyperlipidemia, resembling the cardiovascular profile of older men. Objective: This study analyzes the relationship between plasma atherogenic indices and cardiovascular risk according to the postmenopausal phase in Chilean women. Methods: A secondary analysis of the National Health Survey 2016-2017 was performed, including women between 40 and 70 years in early or late menopause, classified according to Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW). Lipid profile was analyzed and atherogenic indices were calculated. T-tests, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were applied, considering significance at p<0.05. Results: The sample included 742 menopausal women; 74.4% presented excess malnutrition and 88% abdominal obesity, with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² in both groups. Systolic blood pressure was 8 points higher in late menopause. The atherogenic indices showed significant differences in both stages, with the plasma atherogenic index having the highest correlation. Conclusion: The plasma atherogenic index and the atherogenic coefficient are cost-effective tools for assessing cardiovascular risk in this population.