Calidad de vida y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres post menopáusicas. Azogues, marzo-agosto 2024

Abstract

Cardiovascular risk factors are identified as elements that deteriorate the quality of life in postmenopausal women. Objective: To analyze the quality of life and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women in Azogues from March to August 2024. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study. The sample comprised 176 postmenopausal women, using the SF-36 health-related quality of life scale and the MRS menopause-specific quality of life scale. Results: Of the participants, 75.6% were aged between 48 and 59, with elementary education (56.8%). The primary occupations were homemakers (33.5%) or agricultural workers (25.0%). Most lived in rural areas (68.8%) and were married (73.3%). About 72.7% reported moderate discomfort in their quality of life. Factors such as age, rural residency, smoking, and hypertension revealed significant correlations with physical functioning, pain, and vitality. Specifically, age correlated positively with physical functioning (r = 0.242, p = 0.001), while smoking decreased physical functioning (r = -0.191, p = 0.011) and increased pain (r = -0.183, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Factors such as smoking and hypertension negatively impact quality of life, while sociodemographic factors showed no significant correlation with menopausal symptoms.

Keywords: quality of life, menopause, women’s health, cardiovascular risk factors