Survey on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Bariloche

Abstract

Background The development and evaluation of health policies and program planning requires timely and accurate information about risk factors, the presence of chronic diseases, their distribution and trends. The self-reported prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a population, together with anthropometric measurements and blood tests are necessary, according to the Pan American Health Organization, to know the real prevalence of these factors. Objectives To determine the prevalence, knowledge, treatment and control of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in a epresentative sample of the population of San Carlos de Bariloche; to compare the outcomes obtained with those of the 2005 National Survey of Risk Factors and to estimate the overall cardiovascular risk. Material and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study, using a two-stage probability and stratified sampling (census block, household). In each household, subjects aged 18 years and older were surveyed after signing informed consent form. The instrument used was the National Survey of Risk Factors together with a translated adaptation of the psychosocial stress score of the INTERHEART study. Anthropometric measurements were performed and total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, blood sugar and creatinine levels were measured. The following conditions were defined: hypertension (HT) ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or under treatment; hypercholesterolemia (HC): ≥ 240 mg/dl or under treatment; low HDL: <40 mg/dl, and diabetes mellitus (DM): ≥ 126 mg/dl or under treatment. Results A total of 902 surveys were conducted, with a response survey rate of 87.4%. Average age was 43.2 years (range 18-88) and 52% were women.