Introduccion: la edad mayor y la ancianidad aumentan la probabilidad que se presenten problemas de salud, que implican necesariamente dependencia. Un familiar suele asumir el rol de cuidar al anciano, convirtiendose en cuidador informal. Objetivo: establecer el riesgo de sobrecarga y de enfermar de cuidadores informales de personas adultas mayores dependientes. Metodologia: estudio descriptivo, en el cual se incluyeron cuidadores informales de pacientes ancianos, que asistieron a consulta en un programa de promocion y prevencion del riesgo cardiovascular en Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, durante el periodo de mayo a octubre del 2008. Se les aplico el cuestionario de sobrecarga del cuidador de Zarit y la escala de reajuste social (SRRS). Resultados: participaron 52 cuidadores informales que acompanaban a pacientes ancianos a consulta externa: 6 (11.5%) varones y 46 (88.5%) mujeres. Sus actividades principales y habituales era ama de casa, asesor comercial, asesor por catalogo, comerciante independiente, conductor de taxi, contador, desempleado, disenadora de modas, docente, enfermera, estilista, madre comunitaria, modista, obrero o pensionado. El rango de edades estaba entre 25 y 81 anos. Se observo que el 42% tenia sobrecarga intensa y el 30% sobrecarga leve. El 64% tenia riesgo moderado o mayor de enfermar en los proximos meses. Conclusion : la actividad de cuidador informal suelen ser realizada por mujeres. Asumir esta responsabilidad familiar se acompana de elevada presencia de sobrecarga intensa e importante riesgo de enfermar. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2012;3(2):77-85 PALABRAS CLAVES Familia; Cuidador principal; Anciano dependiente; Geriatria; Gerontologia. SUMMARY Introduction: old age increase the likelihood that health problems arise, which necessarily involve greater dependency. The family usually assumes the role of caring for the elderly, becoming informal caregivers. Objective: to determine the risk of overload and illness among informal caregivers of dependent elderly. Methodology: this is a descriptive study, which included informal caregivers of elderly patients attending a program of promotion and prevention of cardiovascular disease in Cartagena, Colombia, from May to October 2008. The Zarit scale for assessing caregiver burden and the social readjustment rating scale were administered (SRRS). Results: fifty two informal caregivers of outpatient elderly were assessed, of which 6 (11.5%) were males and 46 (88.5%) were women, their main activity were housewives, business advisor, advisors through catalogs, traders, taxi driver, accountant, unemployed, fashion designers, teachers, nurses, hairdressers, community mothers, dressmaker, worker or pensioner, with age range from 25 to 81 years. It was observed that 42% had greater burden and 30% minimum burden; 64% had moderate or greater risk of disease in coming months. Conclusion: informal care-giving is usually performed by women and this responsibility is accompanied by high prevalence of overburden and disease. Rev.cienc.iomed.2012;3(2):77-85 KEYWORDS Family; Primary Caregiver; Elder dependent; Geriatrics; Gerontology.