Cardiovascular risk stratification in patients sttended at the UAM Clinic: Descriptive study

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nicaragua due to the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors associated with unhealthy lifestyles. Objective: To stratify cardiovascular risk among patients seen at the American University Medical Clinic in November 2023. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Study population consisted of 45 participants. Data were obtained from primary sources, including surveys, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and electrocardiograms. Risk was calculated using the WHO HEARTS tool. A descriptive analysis was performed using IBM SPSS v.27. Results: The average age was 51.8 ± (8.2) years; females predominated, accounting for 53.3%. Sedentary lifestyles were observed, as were high-carbohydrate diets (97.78%) and overweight status in 93.33% of patients. 66.67% were at low risk, 15.5% at moderate risk, and 17.7% at high or very high risk. Creatinine averaged 0.96 mg/dL, remaining within the normal range in women but elevated (>1.2 mg/dL) in 14% of men. Total cholesterol (mean 191.62 mg/dL) was high (≥ 200 mg/dL) in 28.89% of the sample. Specifically, among men, 33.33% had elevated triglycerides (> 160 mg/dL) and 61.90% HDL had low HDL levels (≤45 mg/dL). Overall, high LDL (≥ 130 mg/dL) was detected in 44.44% and elevated VLDL (≥ 30 mg/dL) in 28.89%. Finally, the EKG showed sinus rhythm in 97.8% and ventricular hypertrophy in 2.2%. Conclusion: Most of the population had low cardiovascular risk; however, risk factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle were identified, which guide the implementation of preventive strategies to promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles with the aim of preventing the development of heart disease.