Comparative Analysis of the Most Important Cardiovascular Risk Factors Based on Cross-Sectional Studies in the Population of Latvia

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2022-05, Vol.58 (5), p.643
• Main Authors: Erglis, Andrejs, Bajare, Iveta, Jegere, Sanda, Mintale, Iveta, Barzdins, Juris, Luguzis, Artis, Apinis, Peteris, Caksa, Anda, Gavare, Iveta, Dzerve, Vilnis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age groups; Blood pressure; Blood tests; Body mass index; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; cardiovascular risk factors; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Confidence intervals; cross-sectional epidemiological survey; Cross-Sectional Studies; epidemiology; Female; Glucose; Heart Disease Risk Factors; High density lipoprotein; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - epidemiology; Laboratories; Latvia - epidemiology; Male; Mortality; Overweight; Public health; Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Womens health
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina58050643

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (RFs) in Latvia from the population-based cross-sectional study performed in 2019−2020 and to compare the results with a similar study done in 2009−2010. Materials and Methods: The target sample of 6000 individuals representing a cross-section of Latvia’s inhabitants (aged 25−74) was formed using stratified two-stage cluster sampling. The survey had two components: (1) an interview using a pre-specified questionnaire and (2) physical examination (height, weight, arterial pressure) and collection of venous blood samples to measure levels of fasting glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (TC), high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C/LDL-C), and triglycerides (Tg). In total, 4070 individuals were interviewed (32% non-response), from which 2218 (55%) individuals underwent physical examination and collection of blood samples. Results: The most frequently observed RFs were high LDL-C (62.0%), smoking (45.3%), and arterial hypertension (36.8%), while the prevalence of self-reported high cholesterol and hypertension was 19.3 and 18.6%, respectively. A decrease in the prevalence of hypertension, high LDL-C, and Glu was noted. Smoking decreased in younger men. The mean number of five most important cardiovascular RFs was 2.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0, 2.1); 2.3 (95% CI 2.2, 2.4) for men and 1.8 (95% CI 1.7, 19) for women. The average number of RFs has decreased by 0.3 in 10 years, t(5883) = −7.2, p < 0.001. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of cardiovascular RFs remains noteworthy, an improvement in the risk profile of the Latvian population has been observed over the past decade. The study shows subjective self-underestimation of cardiovascular risk.