Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Identifying risk factors, especially lipid levels, is crucial for preventing adverse cardiovascular events. In rural communities, where access to healthcare may be limited, it is essential to assess the cardiovascular health of the elderly to implement appropriate preventive and treatment measures.

Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular risk according to lipid levels in geriatric patients in a rural Colombian population.

Methodology: A clinical, instrumental, and laboratory examination was performed on 100 patients with an average age of 68.7 ± 4.7 years. Cardiovascular risk stratification was carried out using the Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment Score. High risk was defined by the presence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, age over 65 years, hypertension, or isolated/mixed dyslipidemias. Anthropometric data (height, weight, BMI), vital signs, blood pressure readings, and laboratory data (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, lipoprotein A, triglycerides, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) were analyzed.

Results: The nosological composition of the examined patients (n = 100) shows that the study mainly included individuals with hypertension (60%), obesity (24%), and stable types of coronary artery disease (34%). The proportions of patients with type 2 diabetes, primary kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were 21%, 17%, and 14%, respectively.

Conclusion: The presence of elevated serum triglyceride levels in individuals at high cardiovascular risk is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

Keywords: obesity, diabetes, hypertension, arterial disease, cholesterol.