ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of disability and death in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in elderly resident in nursing homes in Tehran. This descriptive study was conducted with 310 elderly men and women above 65 years in elderly house in Tehran. A sample was chosen with random clustering. Data was collected by questionnaire which included demographic questions [5 questions] and "Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease Questionnaire" [7 questions]. Later section included, history of heart disease and medications, family history of heart disease, smoking, physical activity and exercise. Validity was measured by content validity index and reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient [0.88]. In addition, other data such as height and weight, blood pressure, blood lipids [cholesterol, triglycerides] and fasting blood glucose were collected. All statistics were computed using the SPSS/15. Findings showed that mean age of sample was 75/25 +/- 7/98. Prevalence of risk factors for high cholesterol [P<0.001], high triglyceride [P<0.05], diabetes [P<0.05], inactivity [P<0.001], lack of exercise [P<0.05], obesity [P<0.001], systolic blood pressure and diastolic, was higher in women than in men, whereas smoking was higher in men than in women [P<0.001]. Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in nursing homes in Tehran is high. According to findings of this study, it can be concluded that, elderly women were more exposed than elderly men to risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Appropriate training toward their lifestyle change to prevent this disease and its complications is necessary