Българска Лига по Хипертония

Risk factors for cardio-vascular diseases in urban population with arterial hypertension – do they change in 5 years in Bulgaria?

Y. Yotov, Sv. Torbova, Sv. Tsonev, S. Naydenov, A. Postadzyan, V. Sirakova, Sn. Tisheva, F. Nikolov

Arterial hypertension (AH) is usually associated with higher prevalence of cardio-vascular (CV) risk factors which multiplies the probability of serious vascular events. Aim: to compare the CV risk factor profile in hypertensives in Bulgarian urban population between 2007 and 2012. Participants and methods: The data from 2 cross-sectional epidemiologic studies, performed on the World Day of Hypertension – 17^th May, in the five largest Bulgarian cities, were compared. Similar structured questionnaires on AH, cardiovascular diseases, risk factors was filled in. Blood pressure (BP), waist circumference, height and weight were measured. Body mass index was calculated. Results: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 was present in 19% of the people with AH vs 4% in normotensives in 2012 (p<0.0001), with no gender difference. Obesity was present in 22% of those with AH in 2007 and 21% in 2012, overweight were 42% of the hypertensives in 2007 and 45% in 2012 (NS), significantly higher than the people with normal BP. Smoking was less prevalent in the population with AH 17% vs 28% in 2012 compared with 2007 when 26% of the people with elevated BP and 33% with normal were smokers, mainly due to increase in those who quitted 15% in 2012 vs 7% in 2007. Elevated serum lipids were found in 39% of the participants with AH in 2012, vs 18% with normal BP (p<0.0001). At least once a week fish consumed 47% of the hypertensives in 2007 and 35% in 2012 (p<0.05). Plant fat for cooking preferred 33% in 2007 vs 27% in 2012 of the people with AH while animal fat was pointed out in 3% vs 7%, respectively. Salt restriction was not followed by 33% of the hypertensives in 2007 and 30% in 2012 (NS). Moderate physical activity was present in 66% both in 2007 and 2012. Conclusions: Patients with AH have higher prevalence of other CVD risk factors than their normotensive counterparts. The smoking has decreased from 2007 to 2012, mainly because more people have stopped using cigarettes. Fish consumption and salt restriction are not very common in people with AH. The risk profile of the hypertensive urban population in Bulgaria has not changed too much in 5 years which may partly explain the persisting high CVD mortality and morbidity.