The risk of cardiovascular diseases in the Kyrgyz Republic

Objective:  An analysis of the current situation in the Kyrgyz Republic demonstrates that the areas of concern in care system for patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the insufficient and untimely identification of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as their ineffective management due to the incomplete implementation of existing risk stratification guidelines and decision-making. This study assesses distribution of total cardiovascular risk among the population of the Kyrgyz Republic using the WHO/ISH risk scale.  In addition, the distribution of the main risk factors separately is calculated, as well as the frequency of some additional CVD risk factors that are not included into the WHO/ISH evaluation scale is estimated. Methods: This research was carried out within the framework of the international project "STEPS". The survey used a questionnaire developed by WHO and adapted to the Kyrgyz Republic. Overall, 2417 people were selected at the age of 25 to 65 years, of which 59.0% are women and 41.0% are men. The mean age in general was 43.9 (11.5) years. Of these, mean age for  men was 44.0 (11.2) years and for  women - 43.8  (11.7) years (p˃0.05). Results: According to the WHO / ISH chart, the proportion of low, medium, high and very high risk for age group of 40-65 years was 73.9%, 4.6% and 21.4%, respectively. According to the results of the study, among respondents aged 40 to 65 years, a high prevalence of the main risk factors for CVD was revealed (arterial hypertension - 61.5%, hypercholesterolemia - 31.6%, smoking - 19.0%, diabetes mellitus 11.1%) and other additional risk factors for CVD (insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables - 75.4%, obesity - 36.5%, physical inactivity - 29.3% and excessive salt intake - 14.0%). Conclusion:  Thus, very high-risk of CVD in our population was presented in 21.4% of individuals, while low risk prevailed – 73.9%.  The most frequent risk factors were arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity and physical inactivity, insufficient consumption of fruit and vegetables followed by smokin, diabetes and excessive salt consumption.