Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and their relation to age and educational level among middle-aged women: Study of middle-aged women in a rural area

Abstract

Objective – To investigate the occurrence of risk factors for CVD and their relation to age and educational level among middle-aged women in a rural area.

Design – A descriptive study of all middle-aged women (40 to 59 years) in the area.

Setting – A parish in middle Sweden (Östervåla).

Participants – All women born 1930 – 1949 in the parish of Östervåla (324 on 1 October 1988)

Main outcome measure – Total serum cholesterol, Serum triglycerides, LDL/HDL ratio, F-blood-glucose, Blood-pressure, Body Mass Index and Waist/Hip circumference Ratio as well as quality of life factors as reported in a questionnaire.

Results – For all variables examined there was a significant difference between lower and higher educated women except for fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides and quality of life scores, in favour to the more educated group. The number of risk factors for CVD were increased with age but decreased with education.

Quality-of-life scores were lower in individuals experiencing pronounced stress than in less stressed individuals. Life-quality scores were higher among able-bodied persons than among those with a reduced capacity to work or unemployed persons.

The number of risk factors were suprisingly high in many women. An intervention programme will be initiated. Further studies will show whether it is possible to decrease the number of risk factors and as a consequence the standardized mortality rate.

Key Words:

• cardiovascular disease
• district nurse
• education
• risk factors
• rural areas
• women