Exploratory study on the prevalence of high risk for coronary events in the Brazilian population: evidence from National Health Survey 2013

Abstract

Background:

Diseases of the circulatory system are the leading cause of illness and death in the world population.

Objective:

Estimate the prevalence of high risk for coronary events (HRC) and associated factors in the Brazilian adult population.

Method:

This is a cross-sectional study, based on data from the National Health Survey 2013. The association of this condition with sociodemographic, health condition, and habits and lifestyle was evaluated for individuals as in HRC, according to the first stratification phase of the I Brazilian Directive of Cardiovascular Prevention. Statistical analysis was performed in three stages: descriptive; bivariate; and multiple analysis. Sampling weights and design effect of the complex sampling plan were considered, using the survey library of the statistical program R, version 3.2.2.

Results:

The prevalence of HRC in the Brazilian population was 11.06% (95%CI 10.83–11.29). A higher prevalence of HRC was observed with advancing age, in individuals living in the Central-South, who self-rated their health as poor/very poor, former smokers, and individuals with systemic arterial hypertension.

Conclusions:

The Brazilian population presented a high prevalence of HRC and, thus, has a more than 20% risk of an acute coronary event in the next ten years, if prevention and control measures are not taken.

Keywords:
demography; health transition; cardiovascular diseases; risk factors