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. 2022 May 6;58(5):643.
doi: 10.3390/medicina58050643.

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

Andrejs Erglis  1   2 , Iveta Bajare  1 , Sanda Jegere  1   2 , Iveta Mintale  1   2 , Juris Barzdins  3 , Artis Luguzis  3 , Peteris Apinis  1   4 , Anda Caksa  1 , Iveta Gavare  5 , Vilnis Dzerve  1
Affiliations

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

Andrejs Erglis et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: cardiovascular risk factors; cross-sectional epidemiological survey; epidemiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean number (95% CI) of CVD risk factors by gender/age.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of the risk factors prevalence in 2 surveys by gender/age. Orange—female, blue—male; Bold—2019, dashed—2009; LDL-C—low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level; BMI—body mass index; TC—total cholesterol level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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