title: Secular trends in cardiovascular risk factors with a 36-year perspective: observations from 38- and 50-year-olds in the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study secular trends in cardiovascular risk factors in four different cohorts of women examined in 1968-1969, 1980-1981, 1992-1993 and 2004-2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of four representative cohorts of 38- and 50-year-old women over a period of 36 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gothenburg, Sweden with approximately 450,000 inhabitants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four representative samples of 38- and 50-year-old women were invited to free health examinations (participation rate 59-90%, n =1901).
  
  
  METHODS
  Body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), leisure time exercise, use of antihypertensive medication, smoking, levels of haemoglobin, b-glucose, s-cholesterol, s-triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in mean BMI from 1968-1969 versus 2004-2005. Mean leisure time exercise was significantly higher in later born cohorts; in 1968, around 15% were physically active compared with 40% in 2004. SBP and DBP, mean s-cholesterol and s-triglyceride levels were significantly lower in both 38- and 50-year-old cohorts in 2004-2005 versus 1968-1969. HDL-cholesterol (not measured until 1992-1993), showed a significantly higher mean level in 2004-2005. Reduction of risk factors was apparent in women with a high as well as low level of physical activity. Smoking declined most in women with high levels of physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several cardiovascular risk factors related to lifestyle have improved in middle-aged women from the 1960s until today. Most of the positive trends are observed in women with both low and high physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. cecilia.bjorkelund@allmed.gu.se
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Björkelund
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andersson-Hange
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Calle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bengtsson
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blomstrand
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bondyr-Carlsson
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eiben
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rödström
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
authors.forename: Valter
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sundh
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weman
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zylberstein
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hakeberg
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lissner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health