Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Adults - A Cross Sectional Study In Urban Slums of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Cardiovascular risk factors are a constellation of modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus have been appropriately highlighted as established predictors of cardiovascular disease. Notably, lifestyle risk factors, including dietary habits, physical inactivity, and smoking strongly influence the established cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovascular diseases are on the rise in developing countries like India and not much information is available about the risk factors in urban slums of Hyderabad. Hence this study was taken. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among adults in urban slums of Hyderabad. A Community based Cross sectional study was done in Urban slums of Hyderabad for 6 months (April 1 st to Sep 30 th 2012). Mercurial sphygmomanometer (Diamond), Weighing machine, Measuring tape, Stethoscope, Eber-Mannhelm Autoanalyzer, a predesigned and prestructured questionnaire were used. With Random sampling procedure 560 individuals were chosen. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007. The prevalence of hypertension was 25.3% and diabetes 16.07%. The proportion with elevated Triglycerides was 28.57% (males -19.1% and females 36.52%), elevated Total Cholesterol 30% (females 39.93% and males 19.1%) and Reduced HDL 41.25% (females 46.76% and males 34.46%). As per BMI, 53.39% were overweight (males 58.43% and females 48.81%). About 21.61% were obese (Males 18.35% and females 24.57%). A higher percent of females (44.37%) had abdominal Obesity compared to males (29.96%). Thus Cardiovascular Risk factors are highly prevalent in urban slums and needs immediate emphasis to prevent cardiovascular morbidity.