ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The lipid accumulation product (LAP) index is an abdominal adiposity marker. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the cardiovascular risk of primary healthcare users through the LAP index and correlate it with anthropometric and biochemical indicators. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in primary care units in a city in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: The subjects responded to a structured questionnaire that contained questions about their sociodemographic condition, and then underwent an anthropometric nutritional assessment. The LAP index values were expressed as three degrees of cardiovascular risk intensity: high risk (above the 75th percentile), moderate risk (between the 25th and 75th percentiles) and low risk (below the 25th percentile). RESULTS: The median LAP index was 52.5 cm.mmol/l (range: 28.2-86.6), and there was no statistically significant difference between the sexes: 57.7 cm.mmol/l (24.5-91.1) and 49.5 cm.mmol/l (29.8-85.2) for females and males, respectively (P = 0.576). Among all the subjects, 67.2% were overweight and there was a statistically significant difference in mean LAP index between those who were and those who were not overweight. Statistically significant differences in anthropometric and biochemical markers for cardiovascular risk were observed among individuals who had higher LAP index values. There were significant correlations between the LAP index and all of the biochemical variables. CONCLUSIONS: These significant correlations between the LAP index and the traditional biochemical risk markers may be useful within conventional clinical practice, for cardiovascular risk screening in primary healthcare.