EVALUATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ACCORDING TO THE FRAMINGHAM CRITERIA IN ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the risk of a major cardiovascular event within a 10-year period, as well as identify associated risk factors in adults from Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study applying the Framingham score in 358 adults from Tubarão, Santa Catarina. We aimed to assess the degree of risk and its correlation with variables that may influence cardiovascular risk, such as alcoholism, sedentariness, lifestyle, educational level, in addition to sex, age and smoking habits. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test (χ2) and Fisher's exact test. The prevalence ratio was used as a measure of association. Results: Among the 358 people surveyed, most were women, Caucasian (87%), with schooling higher than eight years of study (51%), with a steady partner (68.7%), sedentary (60.6%), non-smokers (69.3%), and non-users of alcohol (91.8%). The prevalence of obesity was 26.5%. The mean risk percentage was 2.6% ± 3.7%, with most subjects reaching the low-risk category (94.9%). Male gender (PR = 1.13 [1.07 to 1.20] p <0.001), advanced age (PR = 1.01 [1.00 to 1.01] p = 0.012) and educational level (PR = 0, 99 [0.98 to 1.00] p = 0.039) were factors associated with medium and high risk for cardiovascular events regardless of the outcome. Conclusion: The studied population had a low risk for cardiovascular events. However, the association between potentially modifiable moderate and high risk factors suggests that modification of lifestyle should happen early in this population in order to reduce cardiovascular risks. DESCRIPTORS Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Grade, Risk Factors; Alcoholism; Primary Prevention.