[Cardiovascular risk factors and the value of changes in lifestyle. Results from a study of people aged 35-65 in a small rural community in Iceland.].
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Oxarfjaretharhéraeth, a small rural community in north-eastern Iceland, and to see if these risk factors could be influenced with simple measurements and interventions in the community.


METHODS
The study group included every person between the age of 35-65, living in the community. The participants were interviewed by a nurse. Cardiovascular risk factors were registered and measured. The results were discussed with each person individually and verbal and written advise given by the nurse, with emphasis on each individual's own responsibility regarding lifestyle changes. A total of 126 persons came to the initial interview, or 97%. A follow-up interview was carried out after six to seven months for those two thirds of the sample who had one or more risk factors. Sixty-eight attended, or 80%.


RESULTS
Two thirds of the study population had some risk factors for cardiovascular disease, thereof 35 individuals with s-cholesterol >6.0 mmol/1. Average weight for men was 84.7 kg and women 77.1 kg. Average cholesterol was 6.0 mmol/1 for men and 5.9 for women. Four new hypertensives were found and treated. From the second interview we found that 40-46% of those who had been told that they had high s-cholesterol had increased their physical activity and reduced food fat and sugar. This same group also proved to have decreased their average weight (-1.6 kg) and s-cholesterol (-1.1 mmol/1) significantly. No significant changes were found regarding smoking or blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
A short interview and simple measurements at a local health centre are effective, at least in the short term in altering life style factors such as physical activity and intake of fat and sugar in certain risk groups, thereby inducing a significant decrease in s- cholesterol and thus hopefully reduce the incidence of premature cardiovascular events. In view of the above, we encourage all health care workers to introduce these simple lifestyle changes to their clients.
Eggertsdottir
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GG
Halldorsson
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