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Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in physicians.
Marie Nakládalová1, Eliska Sovová, Katerina Ivanová
1Department of Occupational Medicine, Teaching Hospital, Palacký University, I.P.Pavlova 6, Olomouc, Czech Republic. marie.nakladalova@fnol.cz
Summary
Cardiovascular disease risk factors are prevalent among Czech physicians, with smoking and hypercholesterolemia being significant concerns. Despite better health indicators than the general population, physicians show an unsatisfactory risk factor level, necessitating targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Medical Education
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health burden.
- Physicians, as healthcare providers, are crucial in public health initiatives but may also be susceptible to lifestyle-related diseases.
- Understanding CVD risk factors within the medical community is essential for targeted prevention and health promotion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among physicians at a teaching hospital.
- To compare these risk factors with those in the general Czech population.
- To identify areas for intervention and prevention within the medical profession.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 203 male and 167 female physicians.
- Data collection through questionnaires, physical measurements (height, weight, blood pressure), and biochemical analyses (serum cholesterol, glucose).
- Statistical analysis to determine the prevalence of smoking, hypertension, overweight, and hypercholesterolemia.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates: 19.2% males and 13.8% females smoked; 10% males and 6.6% females had hypertension; 52.2% males and 17.4% females were overweight; 37% males and 43.1% females had hypercholesterolemia.
- Czech physicians exhibited more favorable CVD risk factor values than the general Czech population.
- However, smoking rates among Czech physicians were higher compared to international benchmarks, indicating an unsatisfactory risk factor level.
Conclusions:
- While Czech physicians show better CVD risk factor profiles than the general population, specific factors like smoking require attention.
- The study highlights an unsatisfactory level of cardiovascular disease risk factors among physicians, underscoring the need for intensive prevention programs.
- Follow-up data indicated no positive trends and low physician engagement in risk factor reduction, emphasizing the challenge in implementing effective interventions.