[Prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors in a population in the municipality of Viseu].

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of the main changeable cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and smoking) in the population of the Viseu municipality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The population was obtained through a publicity campaign in local radios and on lighted placards in the town of Viseu. We chose a set of volunteers above 20 years of age, who answered a questionnaire about smoking habits, academic qualifications, profession and residence. After the inquiry, the total cholesterol and blood pressure were determined. We considered hypertension (HBP) values > or = 140/90 mmHg and hypercholesterolemia > 200 mg/dl.

RESULTS

1852 persons were inquired (3.2% of the population of the Viseu municipality) 1173 of which were females. According to the age groups, we verified that the ages between 50 and 69 years represented 47.9% of the total amount of volunteers. In what concerns smoking habits, we found a prevalence of 9.1% (15.9% in males and 5.2% in females). In the study of the prevalence of HBP we found a value of 38.5%, higher in males (42.8%) than in females (35.9%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia found was 34.9% (no significant differences between the sexes).

CONCLUSION

In comparison with other studies carried out in the Portuguese population, a low prevalence of smoking habits, high hypertension and similar hypercholesterolemia were found.