Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases in Elderly People

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality in women and men all over the world. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors on the citizens of Tehran city. This descriptive study has been done on 205 men and 177 women (with mean age of 74.1 ±7.87 years). Samples were chosen from different regions of Tehran city by random-cluster sampling method. Data was collected by researcher made questionnaire and also measurement of the height and weight (body-mass index or BMI), blood pressure, blood lipids and fasting blood sugar (FBS). Risk factors of CVD (and their prevalence) included obesity and overweight (48.1%), high triglyceride (37.2%), lack of exercise (36.4%), high cholesterol (32.2%), high systolic (%31.4) and diastolic (28.0%) blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases (27.3%), tobacco consumption (19.7%), high FBS (14.7%), and positive family history (13.4%). Prevalence of different risk factors of CVD was significantly higher in men than in women (P<0.05) except fasting blood sugar, physical inactivity and lack of exercise. The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of risk factors for CVD was high and higher in men than in women. Therefore, educating individuals, control of risk factors and screening are suggested.