CARDIOVASCULAR EVALUATION OF ADULTS AGED 40 YEARS AND ABOVE INVOLVED IN LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe abnormalities found at cardiovascular evaluation of a group of adults aged at least 40 years, involved in leisure-time physical activity. Design and method: This was a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Yaoundé-Cameroon. For each individual, clinical examination, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) were done. Results: Study population size was 486. Men represented 53% of our study population. The average age was 49.1 ± 7.1 years. Females were as aged as males. 13.1% were symptomatic at effort. Two subjects had a cardiac murmur and one a gallop rhythm. 6.6% were smokers, 1.8% had a family history of premature sudden death, 53.1% were obese and 31.2% overweight, 24.5% had high blood pressure, 5.3% diabetes mellitus and 27.1% dyslipidemia. 6.4% of subjects had a moderate to very high absolute cardiovascular risk (ACVR). Women's ACVR was statistically identical to men's. Those presenting symptoms during effort had an ACVR superior to that of non-symptomatic subjects. 57.5% of ECGs were abnormal. 28.6% of ECGs presented abnormalities suggesting risk cardiopathies (group 2 abnormalities). The proportions of such ECGs were higher for the symptomatic subjects and those above 50 years, and there was no gender difference. Conclusions: The cardiovascular evaluation of the leisure-time sportsmen and sportswomen aged at least 40 years discloses many abnormalities suggestive of a significant risk of exertion-related acute cardiovascular events. Women seem to be as much at risk as men. Symptomatic individuals and those aged at least 50 years appear to be more at risk.