“STUDY OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN OUR POPULATION”

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD; coronary artery, cerebro-vascular, and peripheral
vascular diseases) are a leading cause of mortality among middle aged and older adults in
India,1 with current prevalence estimates of 10–12% in urban and 4–5% in rural adults
Objectives: The objective of the present study is to assess the prevalence of important risk factors
for CVD among subjects who attended routine outpatient department of our hospital.
Methodology: Patients attending the medicine OPD, both the genders were included in the present
study. Average reading of the blood pressure was considered for diagnosing hypertension in these
individuals. Risk factors such as smoking, tobacco chewing, family history of CVD, history of DM,
and hypertension were assessed through interviewed. Hypertension was defined according to the
Joint National Committee recommendations as mean systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or
mean diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg or the use of antihypertensive medications. Body mass
index <18.5 kg/m2 was classified as undernutrition, 18.5–24.99 kg/m2 as normal, 25.00–29.99
kg/m2 as overweight, and >30 kg/m2 as obese. For individuals >40 years of age, the 10‑year risk
for fatal or nonfatal major cardiovascular events was estimated using the WHO/International
Society of Hypertension (ISH) risk prediction charts. These charts estimate CVD risk on the basis
of age, gender, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, and presence/absence of DM.