[Prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors in a population in the municipality of Viseu].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of the main changeable cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and smoking) in the population of the Viseu municipality.


METHODS
The population was obtained through a publicity campaign in local radios and on lighted placards in the town of Viseu. We chose a set of volunteers above 20 years of age, who answered a questionnaire about smoking habits, academic qualifications, profession and residence. After the inquiry, the total cholesterol and blood pressure were determined. We considered hypertension (HBP) values > or = 140/90 mmHg and hypercholesterolemia > 200 mg/dl.


RESULTS
1852 persons were inquired (3.2% of the population of the Viseu municipality) 1173 of which were females. According to the age groups, we verified that the ages between 50 and 69 years represented 47.9% of the total amount of volunteers. In what concerns smoking habits, we found a prevalence of 9.1% (15.9% in males and 5.2% in females). In the study of the prevalence of HBP we found a value of 38.5%, higher in males (42.8%) than in females (35.9%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia found was 34.9% (no significant differences between the sexes).


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison with other studies carried out in the Portuguese population, a low prevalence of smoking habits, high hypertension and similar hypercholesterolemia were found.
Nunes
L
L
Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital Distrital de Viseu.
Pipa
J
J
Nascimento
C
C
Costa
A
A
Cabral
C
C
Almeida
L
L
Soares
N
N
Ferreira
J
J
Portugal
A
A
Veiga
L
L
Favas
P
P
Rufino
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*