Fatores de risco cardiovascular em adultos internados em hospital geral na cidade de Bagé, RS

Abstract

The changes in the morbidity and mortality profile that have occurred in the last decades, resulting from the epidemiological, demographic and nutritional transition have contributed to changes in lifestyle with a consequent increase in obesity rates. Overweight, smoking, harmful alcohol consumption and physical inactivity are considered the main risk factors associated with chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, arterial hypertension (AH), endocrine, metabolic disorders and certain types of cancer. The presence of these risk factors in younger individuals, resulting in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has caused an increase in hospital admissions, health care costs, worsening quality of life, early interruption of work activities and daily living. The lack of knowledge about risk factors and the lack of health care have led this population to complications of existing pathologies or new acute events. The aim this study was to describe the prevalence of CVD and the modifiable risk factors associated with these diseases in adults (20 to 59 years old) admitted to a general hospital in the city of Bagé. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out from October 2019 to February 2020, based on a questionnaire, medical records, laboratory results and anthropometric assessments. CVDs were the second biggest reason for hospitalizations in this population, accounting for 19% of the registered causes in the period and the previous history of AH was present in 43% of the sample. In addition, among patients aged 40 to 59 years, 25% had a diagnosis of DM and 20% of dyslipidemia. Obesity was more prevalent among women; more than 50% of the patients reported having already smoked, not doing any physical activity at leisure time and having the habit of consuming sausages meats and sweetened beverages. Mean values of body mass index (BMI) indicated overweight in both sexes, and mean values of waist circumference (WC) and neck circumference (NC) were associated with cardiovascular risk. CVD and their risk factors were quite prevalent in this population. Taking into account that these risk factors are modifiable, actions in health promotion should be more effective to face them, thus prioritizing hospital admissions for cases of greater complexity, avoiding overload of this service and improving the population's health quality.