Prevalence and pattern of cardiovascular risk factors in a population in India

Abstract

In our population in semiurban India, one in three adults have a major cardiovascular risk factor, with low control rates. There is a large burden of undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors and a large gap between treatment and control, which may be explained by lack of treatment intensification.

Changes in the prevalence and social distribution of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in India

“…SES gradients of similar magnitude and direction are found in the paper by Khetan and colleagues6 for CVD risk factors and control of these risk factors presumably through greater access to treatment and follow-up support among higher SES groups. Among the lowest SES group, 45% of participants had one or more CVD risk factors indicating a widespread prevalence of risk factors across the study population.…”

“…Finally, as the burden of CVD and risk factors increase, health systems need to develop appropriate mechanisms to ensure equal access to detection, treatment, including access to health workers and medications, and adequate control of CVD and risk factors across SES group. Data from Khetan  et al 6 and elsewhere11 12 suggest that inequity in treatment and control of risk factors remains high in India. India has experienced tremendous economic growth in recent decades, but improvements have been remarkably uneven and concentrated among a small minority 13.…”

“…The findings indicate that in this population with a mean age of 48 years about one-third (35%) had either hypertension, diabetes or was a current smoker 6. This study also explored risk factor associations with age, sex and SES defined by education and income.…”

“…This study also explored risk factor associations with age, sex and SES defined by education and income. Participants with at least one risk factor were more likely to be male, older and of higher SES by wealth and education 6. Demographic and SES factors were also found to influence the control of CVD risk factors ; those with higher levels of education and income were around twice as likely to control their blood pressure and blood sugar.…”

“…The second study, by Khetan et al presents baseline data from an ongoing cluster randomised controlled trial of a community health worker model to improve the control of CVD risk factors in a community in West Bengal 6. The findings indicate that in this population with a mean age of 48 years about one-third (35%) had either hypertension, diabetes or was a current smoker 6.…”