[Prevalence and prognostic significance of major risk factors and some reproductive system changes in the development of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease in women of child-bearing age].

AIM: To conduct a long-term epidemiological trial to specify prevalence and significance of risk factors (RF) of atherosclerosis (AS) and IHD related and unrelated with reproductive system in fertile women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 962 premenopausal women entered the trial. They were examined for RF of IHD and AS as well as some conditions of the reproductive system induced by oral contraceptives, replacement hormonal therapy, postmorbid period of OPH-gestosis, uterine myoma, ovarian failure. Plasma lipids were also measured.

RESULTS: Most prevalent risk factors contributing to development of IHD and AS were the following: obesity (21.2%), arterial hypertension (10.3%), uterine myoma (5.61%), ovarian hypofunction including castration (4.78%), diabetes mellitus + low glucose tolerance (3.95%), gestosis in the past without residual hypertension (1.25%), smoking (1.87%), hypercholesterolemia (1.14%), inheritance (1.14%), hormonal contraception (0.98%).

CONCLUSION: Between the incidence of AS and IHD and duration of the conditions studied a functional relation exists due to disorders of lipid metabolism and high arterial pressure.