Estimating the Frequency of Risk Factors and the 10-Year Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Diseases in Middle-aged Population in Kerman, Iran

Background: Estimating the future risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and conducting primary prevention interventions in the high-risk groups are effective strategies. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of CVD risk factors and the results of CVD risk assessment in Kerman in 2017. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 middle-aged participants referring to health care centers using the multistage random sampling method. The risk prediction chart developed by the WHO and International Society of Hypertension was used for risk assessment. We used middle-aged population surveillance forms to extract the risk factors of CVDs. The prevalence of different risk factors was reported. Besides, we reported the CVD risk classifications and the prevalence of some risk factors. Results: The prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were 20.9%, 9.6%, and 8.6%, respectively. Moreover, 64.1% of the participants were overweight or obese. Abnormal waist circumference was observed in 57.5% of the participants. The prevalence of smoking was 12.9%. The prevalence rates of a sedentary lifestyle, inadequate fruit consumption, inadequate vegetable consumption, saturated fat consumption, and high-salt food consumption were 47.7%, 28.3%, 40.7%, 23.1%, and 25.3%, respectively. The prevalence rates of low, moderate, and high or very high risks of CVD were 90.3%, 5.3%, and 4.4%, respectively. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of CVD risk factors in the middle-aged population. Policymakers should design effective interventions for modifying the main risk factors. Risk management is the main step to conduct strategies targeting high-risk groups.