Trends in main cardiovascular risk factors among middle-aged Kaunas population between 1983 and 2002

To evaluate dynamics in prevalence of main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among middle-aged Kaunas population between 1993 and 2002.

Four independent surveys in 1983-1984, 1986-1987, 1992-1993, and 2001-2002 were carried out in random samples of men and women aged 35-64 involving 2413, 1762, 1231 and 1403 persons respectively. The risk factors were defined within the framework of the WHO MONICA study (Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease).

During the 19 years the mean values of systolic blood pressure decreased among men. Among women decreased both mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, however the prevalence of hypertension has decreased only among women by 11.9%, with no significant changes among men. The prevalence of overweight decreased among men, and the prevalence of obesity declined among women. Among women the body mass index decreased as well. No changes in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among men (80.7%) as well as among women (82.7%) have been detected, meanwhile the mean of total cholesterol among men increased from 5.9 mmol/l to 6.1 mmol/l and among women - from 6.09 mmol/l to 6.31 mmol/l (p<0.001). The prevalence of smoking has increased by 7.2% among women and didn't change among men.

The decreasing trends in the prevalence of some risk factors have been estimated in Kaunas middle-aged population during 1983-2002 years. However the profile of cardiovascular disease risk factors is still rather high. Programs or strategies targeted to control levels of main cardiovascular disease risk factors are urgently needed.