title: Status of cardiovascular health among adults in a rural area of Northwest China: Results from a cross-sectional study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the status of cardiovascular health among a rural population in Northwest China and to determine the associated factors for cardiovascular health.A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of Hanzhong in Northwest China. Interview, physical examination, and fasting blood glucose and lipid measurements were completed for 2693 adults. The construct of cardiovascular health and the definitions of cardiovascular health metrics proposed by the American Heart Association were used to assess cardiovascular health. The proportions of subjects with cardiovascular health metrics were calculated, adjusting for age and sex. The multiple logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between ideal cardiovascular health and its associated factors.Only 0.5% (0.0% in men vs 0.9% in women, P = 0.002) of the participants had ideal cardiovascular health, whereas 33.8% (18.0% in men vs 50.0% in women, P < 0.001) and 65.7% (82.0% in men vs 49.1% in women, P < 0.001) of the participants had intermediate and poor cardiovascular health, respectively. The prevalence of poor cardiovascular health increased with increasing age (P < 0.001 for trend). Participants fulfilled, on average, 4.4 (95% confidence interval: 4.2-4.7) of the ideal cardiovascular health metrics. Also, 22.2% of the participants presented with 3 or fewer ideal metrics. Only 19.4% of the participants presented with 6 or more ideal metrics. 24.1% of the participants had all 4 ideal health factors, but only 1.1% of the participants had all 4 ideal health behaviors. Women were more likely to have ideal cardiovascular health, whereas adults aged 35 years or over and those who had a family history of hypertension were less likely to have ideal cardiovascular health.The prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health was extremely low among the rural population in Northwest China. Most adults, especially men and the elderly, had a poor cardiovascular health status. To improve cardiovascular health among the rural population, efforts, especially lifestyle improvements, education and interventions to make healthier food choices, reduce salt intake, increase physical activities, and cease smoking, will be required at the individual, population, and social levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China Nutrition and Food Safety Engineering Research Center of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Hanzhong People's Hospital, Hanzhong, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ruihai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shaonong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Ruru
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Leilei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Duolao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population