Risk factors for development of myocardial infarction in women with preserved reproductive function

Abstract

Aim. Identification of risk factors (RF) for myocardial infarction (MI) among women with preserved menstrual function. Material and Methods. 121 Female patients under 55 years of age, who were hospitalized with MI in the cardiology departments of Ryazan in the period 2010-2016, were studied. All patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group included women with a regular menstrual cycle without menopausal symptoms (n=60, mean age 48.0±6.1 years). The second group consisted of postmenopausal women (n=61, mean age 49.8±4.3 years). Of a cohort of studied  women a group of women was isolated (n=18 from group 1 and n=15 from group 2) who, during hospitalization with MI in 2015-2016, filled in questionnaires on nutrition and physical activity. Results. In women of group 1 such risk factors as burdened heredity for cardiovascular diseases (58.3%, p=0.02) and smoking (46.7%, p=0.03) were more common than in women of group 2. Only women of group 1 took oral contraceptives before the onset of MI (15%, p=0.005). The most common RFs were: arterial hypertension (˃80% of patients in both groups; overweight and obesity (78.3% of women from group 1 and 83.6% from group 2); type 2 diabetes mellitus  (23.3% in group 1 and 24.6% in group 2). According to the results of the questionnaire on food habits, insufficient use of fruit and vegetables was detected among all patients of both groups. In analysis of the results of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), 72.2% of patients in group 1 experienced insufficient physical activity, and 53.3% of patients in group 2 showed pronounced hypodynamia. Biochemical analysis of blood revealed increased average levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, with high-density lipoproteins within the normal range in both groups. Conclusion. The most common risk factors for myocardial infarction in women with preserved menstrual function in comparison with postmenopausal women were: positive heredity for cardiovascular diseases, smoking and taking oral contraceptives. Besides, a wide spread of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus, overweight and obesity, low physical activity and lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet of women in both groups should be noted.