Ischaemic heart disease risk factors among women performing mental work

Introduction. Cardiovascular-system diseases account for 70-80% of deaths in economically developed
countries and 40-50% in developing countries. The major influence on limiting the frequency of
their occurrence is exerted by a healthy lifestyle, which amounts to an individual conduct conducive to
maintaining or strengthening health.

Aim. The purpose of the work was to evaluate the risk factors of the ischaemic heart disease among
women performing mental work.

Material and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 232 women performing mental work
within the age range of 20–59 years. The study employed the method of a diagnostic survey and an
analysis of medical records.

Results. 87% of the subjects judged their health to be good or very good, younger persons claiming so
significantly more frequently (p < 0.001). The source of knowledge regarding health most often indicated
by the surveyed women included newspapers, periodicals, and books (81.5%). 16.4% of the examined
population admitted to regular smoking. The majority of the examined persons favoured passive recreation
- 74.1% were most willing to watch television in their leisure time. Elevated values of total cholesterol
were found among 32% of the surveyed women. An elevated blood-glucose level was found among 14%
of the group subjected to the study. Overweight affected 26.7%, while obesity 11.2% of the women.
10.8% of the examined persons exhibited elevated values of systolic arterial blood pressure. The subjects
were generally aware of their health condition and correctly interpreted the study results obtained. More
than half the number of the subjects deemed the conditions of their work to be stressful, while every fifth
examined person was found to exhibit somatic symptoms of increased emotional tension. The majority of
the surveyed women indicated measures representing evasive techniques of coping with difficult situations
(i.e. routine domestic tasks - 44.8%, conversation with a friend - 30.6%).

Conclusion. Despite a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding a proper health-promoting lifestyle
and an awareness of their own health condition, the majority of the surveyed women were found to
exhibit modifiable risk factors pertaining to the cardiovascular system.