[Evaluation of a search for subjects in high risk for cardiovascular disease. An experience of the Heart Week--1993].

PURPOSE

To test the efficaccy of primary prevention in detecting a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors in a low income population and unaware individuals with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia in the district of Butantã (São Paulo, Brazil).

METHODS

We studied 156 people older than 40 years-old, 126 (80.8%) female, mean age 53 years and observed their cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

The proportion of unaware hypertensive patients was of 46.4% among hypertensive women and 40.0% among hypertensive men; and about diabetes, the proportion of unawareness was 22.2% among diabetic women and 50.0% among diabetic men, although the total number of diabetics and of hypertensive men was very small.

CONCLUSION

People with the following attributes: female, overweight, hypertensive and with glucose intolerance were those with more concern about health and prevention. In other hand, men and smokers were absent of those activities showing a low self-concern with health and disease.