Cardiovascular risk factors distribution in Hungarian adults

Between 1992-1994 nutrition and nutritional status of 2259 persons (1173 men, 1386 women) were examined in Hungary. The average of dietary fat intake was 38.0 (5.7) in %, the median of P/S ratio 0.26-0.27, showing the dominance of saturated fatty acids. According to TC, 34.4% of the examined persons could be ranked to moderate and 27.4% to high risk groups. Regarding LDL-C levels, 27.2-27.2% belonged to both groups. TG indicated risk in 19.5% and 2.4%, respectively and HDL-C values were under the lower limit of normal range in 7.6% Sodium intake is three- to fourfold of the desirable quantity, that of potassium just reaches or remains under the recommended level. As a result, the value of Na/K ratio (mmol/mmol) is over 4. Borderline and/or define hypertension was found according to systolic pressure in 27.4 and 7.9% of men and in 18.1 and 5.2% in women. Diastolic pressure was in this domain in the case of men in 16.9 and 21.9%, in women in 12.7 and 16.1%. Hypertension is frequent both in middle-aged and old men and women. The high CVD mortality in Hungary may be in considerable part explained by the outlined risk factors.