Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among people with hypertension enrolled in a family health unit - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v31i1.4492

Abstract

Non-transmissible diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, have emerged as important causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, mainly in urban areas. Heredity, age, race, gender, high blood pressure and lipids, smoking, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity are recognized risk factors for these events. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among hypertensive patients aged 20 to 79 years who had been enrolled in a Health Family Unit in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil. Data was collected during home interviews, with questions about demographic and socioeconomic aspects, lifestyle and health condition. Among the 385 interviewed patients, the following prevalence rates were observed: 28.6% of raised blood cholesterol; 16.9% of smoking; 5.5% of regular use of alcoholic beverages, 70.4% of physical inactivity; 22.9% of diabetes and 30.9% of family history of cardiovascular disease. A high prevalence of risk factors was observed, particularly physical inactivity. Adequate management of these risk factors with preventive and educative measures is essential to reduce cardiovascular complications in this group of hypertensive patients.