Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in men with stable coronary heart disease in France and Spain

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking, raised blood pressure, unfavourable lipid concentrations, diabetes and - more indirectly - obesity, are responsible for most coronary heart disease events in developed and developing countries.

Aims: The objective of our study was to compare prevalence, treatment and control of cardiovascular risk factors in two samples of men with stable coronary heart disease, recruited in France and Spain.

Methods: Standardized measurements of body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, plasma lipids, glycaemia, and smoking were collected and drug use was registered. Cross-sectional comparisons were made between French and Spanish samples.

Results: Data from 982 individuals were analysed (420 French and 562 Spanish men). Current smoking was more frequent in Spain (p<0.001), whereas hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure were more frequent in France (p<0.001). Mean concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in France (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed regarding obesity, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and diabetes. More than 97% of participants presented with at least one of the following conditions: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, obesity or smoking. Antiplatelet agents, calcium inhibitors, diuretics and hypoglycaemic drugs were used more frequently in France, whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and lipid-lowering treatments were used more frequently in Spain.

Conclusion: Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high among French and Spanish patients with stable coronary heart disease, with differences between countries regarding the distribution of the various risk factors. A great proportion of patients do not reach the recommended levels for risk factor control.