Total cardiovascular risk assessment of women in delta state, Nigeria, using the world health Organization/International Society of Hypertension risk prediction chart

Abstract

Background: Globally, women are not exempt from the menace of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the 10-year cardiovascular risk (CVR) for stroke or myocardial infarction of women aged ≥18 years attending opportunistic medical screening programs in two suburban communities in Delta State, Nigeria. Consenting women were consecutively recruited for the study, and the study instrument was the World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension prediction chart for Africa (AFR D) without blood cholesterol. Total CVR was graded as low (<10), moderate (10–< 20), and high (≥20). Results: Data from 456 women were analyzed; 50.9% were aged >40 years, 9.9% had never married, and 39.9% had a secondary level of education. The mean body mass index (29 vs. 27 kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (140 vs. 121 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (87 vs. 77 mmHg), and blood glucose (104 vs. 92 mg/dl) were significantly higher among women aged ≥40 years. Smoking, hyperglycemia, and hypertension were noted in 0.0%, 7.0%, and 34.4% of the women, respectively. The 10-year risk of stroke or myocardial infarction was low in 87.7%, moderate in 7.2%, and high in 5.0% of the women. All the respondents with high CVR were aged ≥40 years. Among respondents aged <40 years, 98.2% had low CVR. Significant associations were observed between CVR and age (P < 0.001), marital status (P = 0.047), and level of education (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that 12.2% of the women have a moderate-to-high 10-year risk of stroke or myocardial infarction. Increasing age and lower educational levels were significantly associated with a high CVR. Educating women indeed have far-reaching benefits on their cardiovascular health.