BackgroundDue to the importance of coronary artery disease (CAD), continuous investigation
of the risk factors (RFs) is needed.ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of RFs for CAD in cities in Rio Grande do Sul State,
and compare it with that reported in a similar study conducted in the same cities
in 2002.MethodsCross-sectional study on 1,056 healthy adults, investigating the prevalence and
absolute and relative frequencies of the following RFs for CAD: obesity, systemic
arterial hypertension (SAH), dyslipidemias, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes
mellitus, and family history, as well as age and sex. Data was collected in 19
cities, host of the Offices of the Regional Coordinators of Health, as in the 2002
study.ResultsTwenty-six percent of the sample consisted of older adults and 57% were women. The
prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was 44%, history family 50%, smoking 23%,
overweight/obesity 68%, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol levels) 43%, SAH 40%, and
diabetes 11%. When compared to the 2002 study, the prevalence of active smoking
and sedentary behavior decreased, whereas the prevalence of hypertension,
dyslipidemia and obesity increased. Obesity is the most prevalent RF in women, and
SAH the most prevalent in men.ConclusionsThe prevalence of RFs for CAD in Rio Grande do Sul State remains high.
Hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia are still prevalent and require major
prevention programs. Smoking and physical inactivity have decreased in the state,
suggesting the efficacy of related campaigns.