AIM

To study the frequency of modifiable risk factors for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in overweight (OW) males and females.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 522 overweight somatic patients were reviewed. The mean age was 54 years (18—86 years). The frequency of modifiable risk factors and CVD progression were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups: overweight males (n=258) and females (n=264).

RESULTS

Hypertension (36.2%), coronary heart disease (17.2%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16.4%) were most commonly diagnosed in overweight patients. In males, creatinine [87.0 (74.2; 109.0) µmol/L vs. 69.2 (60.0; 83.4) µmol/L, p<0.05], hemoglobin levels (146.1±25.8 g/L vs. 130.6±19.6 g/L, p<0.05), and red blood cell counts (5.01±0.89·10¹²/L vs. 4.63±0.67·10¹²/L, p<0.05) were significantly higher than in females. Females had higher platelet counts (301.2±106.1·10⁹L vs 270.8±86.2·10⁹L, p<0.05) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.22±0.25 mmol/L vs 1.08±0.32 mmol/L, p<0.05). In all overweight patients, the most common risk factors were tachycardia (>80 bpm at rest, 41.5%), hypertension (31.2%), hypercholesterolemia (28.9%), and dyslipidemia (26.8%). The prevalence of anemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia was 13.2%, 14.5%, and 16.2%, respectively. F. Hoek’s equations with cystatin C revealed more patients with impaired renal excretory function. Body mass index (BMI) correlated with diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels in males. In females, BMI was associated with systolic, mean, and pulse blood pressure, glucose and total cholesterol levels, and proteinuria.

CONCLUSION

In overweight males and females, high blood pressure, impaired lipid-carbohydrate metabolism, reduced renal excretory function, and proteinuria were common modifiable risk factors for CVD. In females, BMI is strongly associated with hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and proteinuria.