Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors among Omani adults

To determine the distribution and correlates of clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, data from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000 were analysed. Based on demographic data (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, weight, height, waist and hip measurements), 5660 subjects were grouped according to how many of four CVD risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight/obesity) they had. We found that 72% of subjects had less than one risk factor and 2% had all four. Older age exacerbated risk, while living in rural areas or being single was protective. Metabolic cardiovascular syndrome is a public health problem in Oman. Increasing awareness in healthcare providers and the wider population by comprehensive dissemination of the survey results is crucial.