[Cardiovascular disease risk factors in people working at a Colombian health institution]

Establishing the prevalence of recognised biological and behavioural cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a population of workers at a health institution in Popayán, Colombia.

An observational descriptive study was conducted, 96 employees being interviewed to obtain information regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, eating habits and personal and family history of CVD. Each worker's standardised glycaemia, serum lipids, arterial blood pressure and body mass index were measured.

There was 12,5% behavioural risk factor prevalence for smoking, 58,3 % for alcohol consumption, 56,3 % physical inactivity during free time and 82,3 % atherogenic diet; biological risk factor prevalence was 11,5 % hypertension, 45,8 % being overweight, 1 % diabetes, 61,5 % dyslipidaemia and 58,3 % family history of CVD. It was also found that the risk of hypertension was significantly higher in males, in individuals >40 years, in people having >25 BMI and in smokers. Regarding dyslipidaemia, the risk was higher in males and in >40 year old individuals. The risk of being overweight and obese was significantly associated with smoking and alcohol consumption.

Although this is an institution having an asymptomatic and relatively young population (25-55 years), action should be taken towards modifying lifestyles to reduce CVD risk in the affected population due to the high prevalence of biological and behavioural risk factors.