[PP.06.08] SECULAR TRENDS IN CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG MIDDLE-AGED SWEDISH WOMEN OVER THE LAST 35 YEARS. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collén, A.; Rosengren, A.; Johansson, S.; Hansson, P.O.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 34:(2016) Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000491741.01833.7c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Cardiovascular disease remain a major cause of mortality and morbidity among both women and men, but a declining trend has been observed since the 1970-ies. This decrease is mainly attributed to improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to describe secular trends in six cohorts of middle-aged women over a period of 35 years. Design and method: A total of 2294 women aged 45 - 54 years, were examined in 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2003 and 2013 examining anthropometric measures, blood pressure, blood lipids, level of smoking, physical activity, perceived stress and presence of any cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Results: Over the last 35 years, mean weight has increased by 4.6 kilograms (kg). Weight has though been more stable over the last decade with a 0.2 kg net increase in mean weight from 70.5 to 70.7 kg between 2003 and 2013. More noteworthy was the observed increase in waist circumference with a mean value of 88.4 centimeters (cm) in 2013, as compared to 83.1 cm in 2003. This was, however, not followed by any substantial changes in blood lipids, blood pressure values or presence of manifest hypertension or diabetes mellitus. The number of smokers has decreased while self-assessed physical activity has increased during the 35 years. Reported regular exercise or athletic training remained stable in the two earlier cohorts in the 1980 s (7%), but increased steadily after this to 35.6% in 2013. Conclusions: There is a favorable decline in smoking and an increase in physical activity over the last 35 years among middle-aged women in Sweden. Neverthelss, body weight and waist circumference keep increasing for each investigated generation in this study, why the full effect on long-term cardiovascular health remain unclear.