Galina A. Drozdova
Department of Medicine
University of Friendship
117198 Moscow, ul. Miclukho-Maklaya 8
RUSSIA
TEL: (095) 434-95-24
FAX: (095) 434-70-01
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main health problem in Russia. This development is connected with socio-economic changes. Since 1985 mortality is on rise with a simultaneous decrease in life span. In 1992, 23.3% of deaths occured among 30-55 year-olds, i.e. the most active part of the labor force. The main cause of death in this age group is CVD.
In the middle of 1980s CVD occured more than three times as often in middle-aged men than in women; now we are observing a rapid increase of cardiovascular mortality in women of most productive age. Growing unemployment and high inflation literally goes through their hearts. Further increase of CVD among Russian female population is predictable.
An analysis of CVD risk factors shows that middle-aged women with high education have lower blood pressure (p<0.01) and total cholesterol and blood triglycerides (p<0.05). This might be due to the fact that these women smoke less and follow a more rational diet. Above age 55, the prevalence of CVD in women increases. Women with myocardial infarction more often than men have pre-existing hypertension, diabetes and heart failure than men (p<0.01). The possible mechanism of considerable increase of CVD in older women is the suppression of ovarian function which is confirmed by the research on estrogen utilization in menopause.
Translated by Natalia Mirovitskaya
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