Cardiovascular Risk Estimates in Ten Years in the Brazilian Population, a Population-Based Study

Plasma Levels of Magnesium, Calcium, Calcium to Magnesium Ratio, and Associations with Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Magnesium and calcium are elements that have been associated with cardiometabolic risk factors related to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, there are gaps in the knowledge regarding the impact of the calcium to magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio in plasma. Thus, we aim to evaluate the associations between magnesium and calcium levels in plasma, and the Ca/Mg ratio in plasma with MetS components and other cardiometabolic risk factors. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 112 adults and older people, distributed into groups with (n = 60) and without MetS (n = 52). We evaluated sociodemographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data. Magnesium and calcium levels in plasma were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique (ICP-MS). There was a high frequency of MetS, with no significant differences in magnesium and calcium levels and Ca/Mg ratio in plasma observed between groups. There were no associations between magnesium and MetS components or other cardiometabolic risk factors (all p > 0.05). Calcium levels were associated with total cholesterol (β =  - 0.020; p = 0.000) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (β =  - 0.046; p = 0.005). The total cholesterol (β =  - 0.025; p = 0.000) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (β = 0.017; p = 0.020) were preditors of the Ca/Mg ratio. These results indicate important associations of calcium and the Ca/Mg ratio in plasma with cardiometabolic risk factors related to MetS.

Prevalence of Angina Pectoris and Associated Factors in the Adult Population of Brazil: National Survey of Health, 2019

OBJECTIVE

to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with angina pectoris in the Brazilian adult population and per federated units.

METHODS

Cross-sectional descriptive study that analyzed data from the National Survey of Health 2019 and assessed the prevalence of angina in the Brazilian population. Angina was defined as chest pain or discomfort when climbing hills or stairs, or when walking fast on flat terrain (angina I) or when walking at normal speed on flat terrain (angina II). Prevalence, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated, with a 95% confidence interval, according to sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age group, self-reported race/skin color and region of residence) and federative units.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mild angina (grade I) was 8.1% and of moderate/severe angina (grade II) was 4.5%, being both more prevalent in women (9.8 and 5.5%, respectively). The prevalence increased progressively with age and was inversely proportional to years of formal study. Grade I angina was higher in individuals self-reportedly black and residents of Sergipe (10,4%). Angina II was more prevalent in people self-reportedly brown and living in Amazonas (6.3%).

CONCLUSION

Angina affects more than 10% of the Brazilian population aged 18 years old and more, with higher prevalence in states in the North and Northeast. This is a problem that affects the most vulnerable populations unequally, which places coronary heart disease as a public health problem and points to the need to think about public policies aimed at these strata of the population.

Predictive Factors for Target Organ Injuries in Hypertensive Individuals

Background

The causal relationship between systemic arterial hypertension and target organ damage (TOD) is well known, as well as the association with cardiovascular risk factors (CV). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is important in monitoring hypertension and assessing the risk of TOD.

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and clinical and biochemical parameters in the development of TOD in hypertensive patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study with 162 hypertensive patients followed for an average period of 13 years. The TOD investigated were left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), microalbuminuria, coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Blood pressure was assessed by ABPM and LVH using echocardiogram and electrocardiogram, respectively. Biochemical-metabolic tests and 24-hour microalbuminuria were performed at baseline and follow-up. The P-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The average age was 69±11.8 years, with a predominance of women (64.8%), white ethnicity (79.6%) and diabetics (78.4%). ABPM showed a significant reduction in BP values during follow-up, although without association with TOD (microalbuminuria, stroke, and CAD), except for LVH that showed a correlation with sleep BP ≥120/70 mmHg (P=0.044). The most frequent TODs were LVH (29.6%), microalbuminuria (26.5%), CAD (19.8%) and stroke (17.3%). In the follow-up, there was an association between LVH and diabetes; microalbuminuria was associated with diabetes and triglycerides; stroke was associated with HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), microalbuminuria and carotid disease. CAD showed a relationship with age and HDL-c.

Conclusion

Predictive factors for TOD are age, microalbuminuria, diabetes, HDL-c, triglycerides and carotid disease. Nocturnal BP is correlated with LVH. The absence of a relationship between ABPM and other TODs can be explained by the use of effective drugs, improvement of metabolic and blood pressure parameters.