[Cardiovascular risk factors in a group of health care workers]. / Agregación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y conciencia de enfermedad en trabajadores de un hospital universitario.

BACKGROUND: Health promotion can be carried out at work places. AIM: To assess cardiovascular risk factors among workers of a University hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study of 888 participants (aged 41 ± 11 years, 76% women), who answered a survey about cardiovascular risk factors. Body mass index, waist, blood pressure and total cholesterol (TC) by capillary method were determined. RESULTS: Self reported prevalence of risk factors were as follows: 19% of participants had high blood pressure, 30% hypercholesterolemia, 6% diabetes, 41% smoked, 88% were sedentary and 26% had a family history of cardiovascular diseases. Five percent of participants did not have any risk factor, 20% had one risk factor, 32% had two and 43% had three or more. The highest frequency of lack of awareness was about blood glucose values. A high blood cholesterol level was found in 27% of those reporting normal cholesterol levels. Likewise, a high body mass index was found in 18% of those reporting a normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this group of participants is similar to that found in the last national health survey in Chile. Noteworthy is the lack of awareness about these risk factors.

Agregación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y conciencia de enfermedad en trabajadores de un hospital universitario / Cardiovascular risk factors in a group of health care workers

Background: Health promotion can be carried out at work places. Aim: To assess cardiovascular risk factors among workers of a University hospital. Material and Methods: Cross sectional study of 888 participants (aged 41 ± 11 years, 76% women), who answered a survey about cardiovascular risk factors. Body mass index, waist, blood pressure and total cholesterol (TC) by capillary method were determined. Results: Self reported prevalence of risk factors were as follows: 19% of participants had high blood pressure, 30% hypercholesterolemia, 6% diabetes, 41% smoked, 88% were sedentary and 26% had a family history of cardiovascular diseases. Five percent of participants did not have any risk factor, 20% had one risk factor, 32% had two and 43% had three or more. The highest frequency of lack of awareness was about blood glucose values. A high blood cholesterol level was found in 27% of those reporting normal cholesterol levels. Likewise, a high body mass index was found in 18% of those reporting a normal weight. Conclusions: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this group of participants is similar to that found in the last national health survey in Chile. Noteworthy is the lack of awareness about these risk factors.

[Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals]. / Actividad física y potencia aeróbica: ¿Cómo influyen sobre los factores de riesgo cardiovascular clásicos y emergentes?

BACKGROUND: Cardio respiratory fitness (FIT) is associated with a better profile in most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (RF). In Chile, sedentary lifestyle is highly prevalent, reaching almost 90%. AIM: To determine the association between FIT and traditional and emergent RF in a primary prevention population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 1973 subjects (36% women, mean age 56+/- 13 years) without history of cardiovascular disease and absence of ischemic changes on exercise testing. We assessed cardiovascular RF and determined body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood lipids, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. FIT was measured by a Sci f-reported physical activity questionnaire and by a maximal treadmill exercise test, expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs). RESULTS: Subjects in the highest FIT according to the treadmill test had significantly lower BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, CRP and fibrinogen, and higher HDL cholesterol (adjusted by age and gender). LDL cholesterol did not show significant changes. The same pattern of RF (including LDL cholesterol) and CRP was observed when using Sci f-reported physical activity as a FIT parameter There was a significant association between both methods to measure FIT (p <0.0001, Chi-square Mantel-Haenszel). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that a better level off IT, assessed by exercise testing or through Sci f report is associated with improved levels of traditional and emergent RF.