Regional pattern of cardiovascular risk burden in Croatia.
The objective of this study was to investigate regional gradient of a synthetic cardiovascular burden (CVRB) in Croatia. Analysis was based on a multistage stratified sample representative of general adult population in six regions of Croatia (Croatian Adult Health Survey). Synthetic CVRB was defined by incidents (heart attack, stroke), blood pressure, overweight/obesity (BMI, waist circumference), and risky behaviours (smoking, physical inactivity, high alcohol consumption, inadequate nutrition). Total CVRB in Croatia was 44.7% for men and 50.3% for women. Combining both high and moderate CVRB, men were found to be under more risk than women (72.8% vs. 61.7%, respectively). The result showed an east-north-west gradient in continental Croatia, with high CVRB in Eastern (40.2%) and Central region (44.3%), City of Zagreb (45.7%) and Northern region (53.1%). Mountainous region had the lowest prevalence of respondents with high CVRB (39.2%). Coastal region with the prevalence of 46.3% of high CVRB was nearly the same as the City of Zagreb. The results suggest the presence of substantial regional differences in the cardiovascular risk burden.
Kern
Josipa
J
"Andrija Stampar" School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. jkern@snz.hr
Polasek
Ozren
O
Milanović
Sanja Musić
SM
Dzakula
Aleksandar
A
Fister
Kristina
K
Strnad
Marija
M
Ivanković
Davor
D
Vuletić
Silvije
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012306:Risk; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors