Background: Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent among women. The management of dyslipidemia is a cornerstone in the prevention of both primary and secondary cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and coronary death. All major international guidelines on the treatment of dyslipidemia recommend similar approaches to the management of dyslipidemia in both men and women. Women experience a number of hormonal changes throughout their lifetime, including those changes associated with puberty, menarche, pregnancy, and menopause. Each of these hormonal perturbations can alter serum lipoprotein levels. Hence the aim of this study was to assess the lipid profile in pre and post menopausal women.

Materials & Methods: In this hospital based study100 female patients between the age group of 26-70 were included.

The lipid profile was assessed using standard methodologies. Statistical analysis were performed using the SPSS (Version 16; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Quantitative data were expressed as mean  ± SD.

Results: In our study population 45% belonged to Grade I obesity, while 19% Grade II obesity and the remaining 36% were found to be non-obese. A statistically significant difference was observed in Triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels (p <0.05 ).

Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that menopause leads to changes in lipid profile by causing significant alterations in total and LDL cholesterol and by reducing HDL cholesterol. The elevated LDL and the reduction of cardio protective HDL is an indication that menopause is an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Cholesterol, Postmenopausal women.

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R.S. Diana

Professor, Department of Nutrition, Sri Balaji College of Nursing

No 7, CLC Works Road, Chromepet, Chennai- 600 044, India