Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a rural population between 25 and 44 years old

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the following cardiovascular risk factors, in the 25 to the 44 year age group, in persons attending the Goes Health Center: hypertension, high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking and family history of coronary disease.

340 individuals were selected, for random sample stratification by sex and age groups. They were summoned by mail to come to the Health Center for an evaluation of the factors studied. Hypertension was defined if systolic blood pressure was > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic arterial pressure was > or = 90 mmHg and/or if the participant was currently under therapy. High blood cholesterol was defined if the determination made at the time with a strip-test "Accutrend Cholesterol" was > or = 200 mg/dl and/or under specific therapy. Obesity was defined as a body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2. Tobacco consumption was defined as an affirmative reply to the question "Do you currently smoke?". Previous family history of coronary heart disease was defined as an affirmative reply to the question "Do you know of anybody in your family who has died or suffers from coronary disease?".

The global prevalence of hypertension, high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking and previous family history of coronary heart disease was of 20.3%, 32.1%, 11.8%, 21.5% and 26.8%, respectively. There was an association of risk factors in 22.3%.