Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Heredity and Gender

Author(s):  
R. S. Houlston
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 608-612
Author(s):  
Sunil S. Thanvi ◽  
Sunil K. Karna ◽  
Utsav B Patel

BACKGROUND Routine screening of healthy individuals for the presence of cardiovascular risk factors is important for identification of high-risk coronary artery disease (CAD) patients at early stage and to provide preventive care. Considering the high burden of CAD, such investigations are of significant importance in Indian context. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, adult individuals (18 – 68 years) were evaluated for pre-existing diseases, lipid profile, blood glucose profile, thyroid profile, haemoglobin (Hb) and vitamins D3 and B12 levels after obtaining informed consent. These variables were compared between patients stratified based on their gender and age (< 40, 40 – 60, > 60 years). RESULTS A total of 1,508 participants (mean age: 49 ± 11 years; 49.9 % females) were investigated. Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, anaemia, vitamin D3 and B12 deficiencies, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism were observed in 31.2 %, 26.5 %, 32.0 %, 8.6 %, 35.3 %, 25.1 %, 21.0 % and 0.6 % of patients respectively. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia increased with ageing, while deficiencies of Hb, vitamin D3, and vitamin B12 as well as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were comparable across all age groups. Males were more prone to hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, while females were more prone to have Hb deficiency, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), vitamin D3, and vitamin B12 were elevated with increase in age, while Hb levels decreased. Males exhibited higher levels of TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TC / HDL, LDL / HDL, FBS, and Hb, while females displayed higher levels of vitamin D3 and B12. CONCLUSIONS Our findings verify the role of age and gender on majority of cardiovascular risk factors. The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is alarming and demands the need for appropriate health-care measures. KEYWORDS Age, Coronary Artery Disease, Gender, Risk Factor


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 656-661
Author(s):  
R. Bolijn ◽  
I. Schalkers ◽  
H. L. Tan ◽  
A. E. Kunst ◽  
I. G. M. van Valkengoed

Abstract Background Recently, cardiovascular disease (CVD) research has focused on sex- and gender-related cardiovascular risk factors, in addition to conventional risk factors. This raises the question which factors are perceived by the target group (patients with CVD) as priorities for further research. Methods We carried out a survey to study priority setting for more research into conventional and sex- and gender-related risk factors according to 980 men and women with CVD or those at increased risk of CVD in the Netherlands. Data on conventional and sex- and gender-related risk factors were descriptively analysed, stratified by gender group. Results The most frequently prioritised conventional factors according to men were heritability, overweight and unhealthy diet, while women most frequently listed stress, heritability and hypertension. The most frequently prioritised sex- and gender-related risk factors were depression or depressive feelings, migraine and having many caretaking responsibilities (men), and pregnancy complications, contraceptive pill use and early age at menopause (women). New research on sex- and gender-related risk factors was perceived roughly as relevant as that on conventional factors by men (mean 7.4 and 8.3 on a 1–10 scale, respectively) and women (8.2 and 8.6, respectively). Ethnic and gender minority groups placed more emphasis on risk factors related to sociocultural aspects (gender) than the majority group. Conclusion Men and women with CVD or those at increased risk of CVD perceived new research on conventional and sex- and gender-related risk factors as a priority. These findings may guide researchers and funders in further prioritising new CVD research.


VASA ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fronek ◽  
Allison

Background: The aim of this study was first to compare the widely used flow mediated dilation ( FMD ) method with the iontophoretically induced acetylcholine vasodilation (IAV ) procedure. The ultimate goal was to examine the endothelial activity ( EA ) in patients with various cardiovascular risk factors compared with control subjects. Patients and methods: In the upper extremities of 27 subjects, comparisons of EA by FMD and IAV measured with laser Doppler flux method (LDF) were conducted. IAV-EA was then measured using LDF in an additional 93 subjects with various cardiovascular ( CVD ) risk factors and/or a diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD). Results: The mean age of the subjects was 56.2 years and 54% were male. There was a robust and significant correlation between FMD vs IAV endothelial activity (r = 0.87, p = 0.025). After adjustment for age, there were significant differences in LDF-measured, acetylcholine-induced EA by diagnosis of CHD (p = 0.02), hyperlipidemia (p = 0.03) and diabetes (p < 0.01), as well as by sex (p < 0.01). The difference by hypertension status was of borderline significance (p = 0.07). LDF EA was higher in non-smokers compared to smokers but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3). After adjustment for age and gender, a 10-unit increase in LDF-measured EA was associated with a 12% lower odds for a diagnosis of CHD (p = 0.07). Conclusions: Measurement of IAV-EA by LDF is a simple, noninvasive methodology which is highly correlated with post-occlusive FMD EA and is also significantly associated with a diagnosis of CHD.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e49443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Stringhini ◽  
Brenda Spencer ◽  
Pedro Marques-Vidal ◽  
Gerard Waeber ◽  
Peter Vollenweider ◽  
...  

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