OBJECTIVE:To estimate prevalence of cardivascular risk factors among older adults with self-reported hypertension compared to those without this condition.
METHODS: Data used was obtained from the system Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico
RESULTS:Prevalence of self-reported hypertension was 55% (95% CI 53;57). The majority of hypertensives showed three or more concomitant risk factors (69%; 95% CI 67;71). It was found a high prevalence of insuffi cient physical activity during leisure (88%; 95%CI 86;89) and of fruit and vegetable intake below fi ve daily portions (90%; 95% CI: 88;90) among hypertensive subjects, followed by adding salt to meals (60%; 95% CI: 57;63), regular intake of fatty meats (23%; 95% CI: 21;25), smoking (9%; 95% CI: 7;10), and binge drinking (3%; 95% CI: 2;4). With the exception of smoking, these prevalences were similar to those reported by non-hypertensive subjects (p>0.05). Prevalence of smoking was lower among hypertensives (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.64;0.89), whereas prevalence of overweight (APR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.25;1.49), dyslipidemia (APR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.26;1.36), and diabetes (APR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.27;1.37) was higher.
CONCLUSIONS:Results suggest that, with the exception of smoking, unhealthy behaviors persist among older adults after hypertension is diagnosed.
DESCRIPTORS:
2Health behaviors among hypertensive older adults Lima-Costa MF et al Worldwide, arterial hypertension is the leading risk factor for mortality, and ranks third among causes of loss of disability-adjusted life years.8 Global prevalence of this condition in adults is currently at 26%, but is expected to increase in coming decades.13 Risk of developing hypertension increases with age, making this the most common disease among older adults with prevalence of 60% or more in the developed world and in Latin America and the Caribbean.
13Hypertension is not an isolated phenomenon. Most hypertensives also display other risk factors, and the coexistence of such factors increases cardiovascular risk.12 Since many of these risk factors are modifi able, guidelines for prevention and control of hypertension tend to encompass the multiple risk factors displayed by the individual, including health behaviors.
4,18Population strategies for promoting healthy behaviors aim to prevent hypertension. Strategies targeting highrisk groups aim to reduce arterial hypertension, control other risk factors for cardiovascular events, and reduce the dose of medications required for controlling arterial pressure.4,18 A consensus exists that such strategies must be aimed at smoking cessation, reducing weight among overweight individuals, moderating alcohol intake, encouraging physical activity, reducing salt intake, increasing intake of fruit and vegetables, and decreasing intake of fatty foods.
18Health behaviors in the population have become an area of growing interest in several countries, including Brazil.a However, studies investigating such behavior...