Cardiovascular diseases – risk factors

Abstract

© 2016, Serbian Medical Society. All rights reserved. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and impact of certain risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Methods. Observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Health Centre of Kragujevac, in 2014. In total, 98 people older than 35 years, with no previous diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases were chosen by simple random method. The respondents were asked to fill out a questionnaire about risk factors including family anamnesis, nutritional habits, and lifestyles. Nutritional status was assessed based on body mass index and visceral obesity was determined by measuring waist circumference. The metabolic profile was evaluated by the values of total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. A 10-year risk for fatal cardiovascular disease was determined through SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) method. Results. Increased body mass index (>25 kg/m2) was detected in 57.1% of the participants. Visceral obesity was determined in 56.1%. In total, 46.2% of the respondents were smokers while 32.7% had low level of physical activity. Chi-squared test indicated significant correlation between female gender and frequent consumption of fruit, vegetable, cereals, milk and dairy products. Increased body mass index and alcohol consumption were more common among males than females. Cardiovascular risk was associated with repeated exposure to mental stress. 89.8% of the respondents had 10-year risk for fatal cardiovascular disease higher than 5%. Conclusion. The results emphasize the need to increase awareness of the risk factors among patients and health care workers at the level of primary health care to take measures of prevention especially for those cardiovascular diseases that are significantly affected by lifestyles and behaviors.