Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a population of Brazilian industry workers.

BACKGROUND

Determining the cardiovascular risk factors is essential for the primary and secondary prevention of circulatory system diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To obtain the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a population of industry workers in Brazil.

METHODS

Transversal cohort study, with a sociodemographic interview to identify cardiovascular risk factors, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and capillary blood collection for blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride measurement in food industry workers of both sexes.

RESULTS

A total of 1,047 workers were assessed, with 913 (87%) of them being males, with a mean age of 36 +/- 8 years. The frequency of a sedentary lifestyle was 83% and of overweight, 63%. Systemic arterial hypertension was identified in 28% of the individuals and 45% were in the pre-hypertension range. Alterations in the blood glucose levels were identified in 49% of the participants, as well as high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in 7% and 11% of the population, respectively. The body mass index (BMI) levels were not associated to income, but there was an inverse association with the level of schooling.

CONCLUSION

Overweight and a sedentary lifestyle are the main cardiovascular risk factors in a population of industry workers.