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Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
[Cardiovascular risk among Spanish seafarers]
Mª Del Carmen Romero Paredes1, Luis Reinoso Barbero, Mª Fernanda González Gomez
1Policlínica del Instituto Social de la Marina, Madrid, Spain. ma-carmen.romero@seg-social.es.
Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in sailors, necessitating detailed pre-voyage medical screenings. Early detection of conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol is crucial for seafarer health.
Area of Science:
- Maritime Health
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Seafaring professionals face challenges in accessing timely medical care.
- Prompt intervention for acute cardiovascular events is critical but often delayed in seamen.
- Early identification of cardiovascular risk factors is vital for this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among sailors.
- To analyze the distribution of these factors by age and sex.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 334 individuals at the Madrid Maritime Health Service in 2011.
- Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed, including blood pressure, cholesterol, tobacco use, overweight, and obesity.
- Global SCORE risk was calculated for each participant.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was observed.
- Risk factors were more common in men and individuals over 45.
- Specific prevalences: hypertension (40.1%), hypercholesterolemia (49.7%), tobacco use (33.5%), overweight (44.6%), and obesity (17.4%).
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in seafarers underscores the need for comprehensive pre-voyage medical examinations.
- Detailed medical assessments are essential for detecting cardiovascular risks in this occupational group.
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