EARLY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MARKERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN WOMEN

Abstract

Aim. To define early echocardiographic markers of cardiovascular risk in women.Material and methods. In 76 females, of 1st degree of kinship, from 61 families, two groups were selected: 26 daughters, whose mothers have arterial hypertension (AH) — group 1; 41 daughters from normotensive mothers — group 2. Anamnesis was assessed, including registration of cardiovascular risk factors, heredity, anthropometry, bidimensional echocardiography (EchoCG), and tissue Doppler.Results. In women from group 1, waist circumference (WC) and waist/hip ratio were significantly higher than in group 2. In bidimensional EchoCG, structural and functional parameters of the left ventricle function (LV) were within the reference values, however left atrium volume index in group 1 was significantly higher in comparison with the daughters from normotensive mothers. Also, in the group 1, there were significant differences od tissue Doppler values that characterize diastolic LV function. Relation E/e’ on lateral and septal areas of the mitral valve did not reach pathological values in both groups, as the in groups almost healthy persons were included; in the group of daughters form hypertensive mothers though, these parameters were significantly higher than in the group 2.Conclusion. Early adverse factors of cardiovascular risk in women are inheritance for cardiovascular diseases and AH, markers of metabolic syndrome (increased WC and waist/hip ratio), and left atrium volume and E/e’ that represent diastolic function of the LV.

Keywords

• cardiovascular risk markers in women
• arterial hypertension
• abdominal obesity
• echocardiography
• diastolic dysfunction