[Coronary risk factors in high-rank athletes]. / Fatores de risco coronariano em atletas de alto nível.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of coronary risk factors in elite athletes. METHODS: The prevalence of coronary risk factors was determined in 88 athletes (62 men and 26 women) who participate representing Brazil, in the Olympic Games at Seul in 1988, in the Project SEUL/COB/AMIL. The risk factors analyzed were: family history of coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia (total-cholesterol and subfractions), hypertension, glucose intolerance, smoking and left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH). We compared the mean values of total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol between men and women with unpaired Student's t Test. The distribution of risk factors prevalence by sex was analysed with the chi-square test. RESULTS: Family history of coronary heart disease was detected in 11 (12.5%) athletes. Smoking was found in 12 (13.6%) athletes. There was no one with hypertension or glucose intolerance. LVH was diagnosed with the echocardiogram, in 36 athletes (40.9%). Total-cholesterol mean was 172 +/- 36 mg/dl in men and 187 +/- 34 mg/dl in women. HDL-cholesterol mean was 46 +/- 10 mg/dl in men and 60 +/- 13 mg/dl in women. Total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol mean was 4.02 +/- 1.39 mg/dl in men and 3.21 +/- 0.74 mg/dl in women. The difference between total-cholesterol in mean and women was not statistically significant (p less than 0.05). HDL-cholesterol and total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol means were statistically different (p less than 0.05). Prevalence distribution of the number of risk factors by sex were not statistically different (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results shows how important is to look for coronary risk factors in elite athletes.

[Cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors among employees of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Prevalence and influence of social variables]. / Colesterol e outros fatores de risco cardiovascular nos servidores da UFRJ. Prevalência e influência de variáveis sociais.

PURPOSE: To investigate the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in employees of the "Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro". PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey of 250 men age ranging from 35 to 64 years, randomly selected among 4651 employees of URFJ, was done. They were invited by letter to a consultation at which previously trained personnel applied a questionnaire to investigate about their education level, income, occupation, smoking habit, and use of anti-hypertensive drugs. They also had their blood pressure, height and weight measured and underwent a blood sample collection for serum cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol analysis. This procedure followed a standardized protocol. RESULTS: Two hundred and nine subjects (83.6%) were examined. The characteristics of age, education, and occupation were similar for responders and non-responders. The mean (+/- standard deviation) for total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were respectively: 210 +/- 21.9 mg/dl; 41.1 +/- 12.4 mg/dl; 129.7 +/- 24.0 and 80.4 +/- 17.7. The prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and smoking were: 30%, 22% and 38%. The prevalence of these risk factors together was 4%. Only SBP and DBP were statistically different when analyzed by income or education strata. There was a strong positive correlation between body mass index and serum cholesterol and blood pressure levels. CONCLUSION: In spite of the high education level and income of this sample for brazilian standards, the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is very high, especially for the overweight and the socially less favoured. More precise indicators of dietary habits and socio-economic and cultural status are necessary to develop adequate interventional strategies. The control of obesity seems to be a desirable goal in achieving the concurrent control of associated risk factors.