Revista Ciência em Extensão (Dec 2010)
Coronary insufficiency: profile and occurrence-related risk factors
Abstract
Among cardiovascular diseases, coronary insufficiency (CI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and death in most developed regions of Brazil and in developed countries. There are multiple associated risk factors that play a fundamental role in its development, such as age, gender, positive family history, arterial hypertension (AHT), dyslipidemia, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), smoking, sedentariness and obesity. The intensity of such factors depends on environmental components as well as on each individual or population genetic characteristics. The objective was to establish patients' profile and assess the risk factors associated with coronary insufficiency at São Paulo state university hospital. This is a quantitative prospective study involving 21 patients diagnosed with CI. The study was conducted at the cardiothoracic surgery ward at São Paulo state university hospital. The population consisted of 21 patients. Most of them (66.7%) were average age 58.5 males, low socioeconomic standards and poor education. Regarding family antecedents, we found 86% for AHT, 76% for cardiovascular diseases, 52% for dyslipidemia, 43% for DM and the presence of cerebrovascular accidents. Concerning personal antecedents, the rates found were 71% for AHT, 62% for stress, 57% for dyslipidemia, 48% were smokers, 43% consumed alcohol, 35% were overweight and 19% reported diabetes. As to prevention, leisure was reported by 76% of the respondents whereas physical activity was mentioned by 24%. Data analysis confirms that risk factors influence the development of cardiovascular diseases. Family and individual history is an important evaluation component. In the studied population, males prevailed over females, and the prevalent age range for CI occurrence was higher than that reported by the literature. A positive family history was present in all respondents' statements. AHT and DM showed higher prevalence when compared to scientific findings. For prevention, leisure played a distinguished role among the respondents, but physical activity exhibited low prevalence rates. The findings in the present study ratify previous studies in relation to the importance of evaluating family and individual risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and for the development of coronary insufficiency in particular. It is important to point out that the control of associated diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress conjointly with the performance of physical activity and leisure suggest important prevention measures as long as they are adequate to the population's social and cultural standards. Such measures aim at preserving the population's health and improving their quality of life.
