Encuesta multicéntrica de factores de riesgo coronario (EMSAC, FR) en la población general de la Argentina

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Abstract

A task force was created by the Argentine Society of Otrdiology for the evaluation of the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors on presumed healthy and active argentine population. The survey was carried out at their working places by trained people, and it included an enquire about familiar antecedents, personal habits. and the measurement of blood pressure and body weight. It also included some biochemical determinations such as plasmatic levels of glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. A total amount of 2,466 individual cards were included in the statistical analysis. The data wire obtained in 25 towns of 13 argentine provinces, 51.3 '10 of patients were males (43.4 ± 8.8 years old) and 48.7 % females (44.1 ± 8,7 years old). Mean blood pressure was 125.3 ± 15.9/ 79.8 ± 10.6 and 116.9 ± 18.7/74.6±1.6 mmHg, respectively tp < 0.0001). The percentage of hypertensive was 13.2 % for men and 6.8 % women; 40.1% of men and 32.3 % of women were smokers and 35.5 % and 40.3 % were sedentary males and females, respectively.

Mean level of plasmatic cholesterol' was 215 ± 45 and 212 ± 44.8 mg/dl for men and women. However, HDL- cholesterol levels showed a significant sex difference (48.5 ± 12.3 vs 54.7 ± 13.4 mg/dl; p = 0.(001). Plasma triglyceride levels were higher in males (148.4 ± 99.0 vs 118.0 ± 71.6 mg/dl; p = 0.0001). The cholesterol level had a significant correlation with age. The most important features were: I) mean cholesterol levels exceeded the optimal value (200 mg/dl); 2) the cho- lesterol: HDL-cholesterol ratio was abnormal in males (4.67 ± 2.3) and had a lower value in women (4.10 ± 1.2); 3) there was a high percentage of smokers; 4) high blood pressure predominated in men; 5) high prevalence of sedentary people. These findings favour the hypo- thesis of a higher incidence of coronary diseases in men. It seems to be of great importante for the community to make a real effort in prevention of these cardiovascular risk factors.