[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Balearic workers apparently healthy]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Occupational Health

Context:

• Cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent in the general population.
• The study focuses on an apparently healthy working population in the Balearic Islands.
• Previous diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia was unknown in the participants.

Purpose:

• To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed major cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia) in a healthy Balearic working population.
• To identify gender-specific prevalence rates of these risk factors.
• To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study cohort.

Summary:

• A study of 3,035 randomly selected workers revealed high rates of unknown cardiovascular risk factors.
• Prevalence of unknown hypertension was 20.6% in men and 8.3% in women; hypercholesterolemia was 11.6% in men and 5.4% in women; diabetes was 2.6% in men and 0.8% in women.
• Metabolic syndrome affected 14.4% of men and 5.5% of women, with most risk factors being more common in men.

Impact:

• Highlights a significant, previously unrecognized burden of cardiovascular risk in a seemingly healthy working population.
• Underscores the critical role of occupational health services in identifying and managing these risk factors.
• Suggests targeted screening programs within occupational health settings are necessary for early detection and prevention.