[The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a rural population from the north of Catalonia (Spain): La Cerdana]. / Prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en una población rural del norte de Cataluña: La Cerdaña.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronary atherosclerosis is the first cause of death in the developed countries. This is a cross-sectional study of prevalence about cardiovascular risk factors in a rural population in La Cerdaña (Catalonia). METHODS: With the aim of studying the cardiovascular risk factors among the Cerdanya population older than 18 years a representative sample of 425 individuals was studied with participation of 72% being obtained. RESULTS: The prevalences obtained were the following male smoking habit 46%; female smoking habit 15%; obesity (Quetelet index > 30) male 13%, females 17%; arterial hypertension (systolic > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic > 90 mmHg) in males 9.8%, females 23%; hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol > 250 mg/dl) in males 16.4%, in females 18.7%; cholesterol-HDL lower than 35 mg/dl in males 12.1%, in females 4.9%; hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides > 200 mg/dl) in males 7.8%, in females 7.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking frequency and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in La Cerdaña are lower than in the rest of Catalonia, but the obesity prevalence is higher. It is important to know the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in aim to evaluate the intervention program.