scholarly journals Cardiovascular Health in a Single Community in Rural Haiti: A Cross-sectional Study

Author(s):  
Vincenzo B. Polsinelli

Introduction There is a growing burden of cardiovascular disease in low- and middle-income countries and assessment of cardiovascular health (CVH) may identify populations at risk for poor CVH. Methods Between July 2014 and August 2014, we performed a household survey from a convenience sample among adult community members in rural northern Haiti. We used a modified World Health Organization STEPwise approach to chronic disease questionnaire to capture self-reported data on tobacco, diet, physical activity, and diabetes, and measured blood pressure and body mass index. We used an adapted American Heart Association definition and thresholds for determining ideal, intermediate, and poor cardiovascular health. We used linear and logistic regression to examine associations between socio-demographic characteristics with CVH score and ideal CVH. Results Among 540 participants (mean [SD] age = 40.3 [17.1] years, 67% women), there was a high prevalence of poor CVH (n=476, 88.1%) compared with intermediate (n=56, 10.4%) and ideal (n=41, 7.6%) CVH. Ideal metrics for blood pressure (47%) and diet (26%) were least often met, while body weight (84%), physical activity (83%), and smoking (90%) were most often met. Men were associated with better CVH score (0.31, [0.04–0.59]; P=0.03), and being a farmer was associated with ideal CVH (P=0.006). Conclusion In this community-based sample of a farming community in rural Haiti, very few adults had ideal CVH. Higher CVH score was associated with male sex, and farming as a primary occupation. Women and non-farmers may represent at-risk subgroups within this population. Blood pressure and diet may represent possible areas for improvement. Keywords: Haiti; Cardiovascular Health; Cardiovascular disease epidemiology; Hypertension.

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan-Mai T Nguyen ◽  
Rachel M Quaden ◽  
Rebecca J Song ◽  
Yuk-Lam Ho ◽  
Kelly Cho ◽  
...  

Background: While previous studies have reported the prevalence of Life’s Simple Seven (LSS) in the general population, no data exist in a national sample of US veterans. Objective: To assess the prevalence of ideal LSS in a cross-sectional study of 500,000 US Veterans participating in the Million Veteran Program (MVP) from 2011-2016. Methods: We assigned one of three possible values (0=poor, 1=intermediate, 2=ideal) for each of the seven LSS metrics (adiposity /BMI), smoking status, total cholesterol, blood pressure, plasma glucose, diet, physical activity) at baseline using self-reported data and electronic health records. A total score of 0 across all seven metrics indicated overall poor cardiovascular health and a score of 14 indicated ideal cardiovascular health. Results: Complete data on all LSS factors were available for 171,146 Veterans (92% men and mean age 65.5yrs ±11.5 SD). Average LSS score was 6.1 ±1.9. Ideal BMI, smoking status, total cholesterol, blood pressure and plasma glucose (fasting and non-fasting) was present in 23.8%, 30%, 22.2%, 22.5% and 42.9%, respectively, in the study population (Fig). Prevalence of ideal diet was 0.4%. Among dietary factors, recommendation for fruits and vegetables (at least 4.5cups/day) was the least likely to be achieved. Physical activity at the workplace, home or at leisure was reported among 25.6% of Veterans (21.8% intermediate and 3.8% ideal physical activity). Conclusions: Our data show a low prevalence of ideal LSS among Veterans in the MVP, especially diet (0.4%) and physical activity (3.8%). Compared to NHANES 2005-2006 unadjusted prevalence estimates for AHA 2020 goals, Veterans in MVP have a lower prevalence of all ideal LSS metrics except for diet: BMI (23.8 vs 33%), physical activity (3.8 vs 45%), smoking status (30 vs 73%), total cholesterol (22.2 vs 45%) blood pressure (22.5 vs 42%) and glucose (42.9 vs 58%). These findings underscore the need to improve adherence to modifiable lifestyle factors with subsequent reduction in CVD burden among Veterans.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Djousse ◽  
Andrew Petrone ◽  
Chad Blackshear ◽  
Michael Griswold ◽  
Jane Harman ◽  
...  

Background: While the prevalence of cardiovascular health metrics or Life’s Simple Seven (LSS) has been shown to be far from optimal in the US, such information has been predominantly reported in Caucasians. The burden of cardiovascular disease among African Americans underscores the need to evaluate the prevalence and secular trends of LSS in other ethnic groups. Objective: To test the hypothesis that the prevalence of the LSS is far from ideal among participants of the Jackson Heart Study. Methods: We analyzed LSS with 3,500 African Americans from the Jackson Heart Study, using data from their first clinic visit (2000-2004). Standard methods were used to measure blood pressure, glucose, body mass index (BMI), and cholesterol. Information on physical activity, smoking, and diet was collected with interviewer-administered questionnaires. Each of the LSS metrics (smoking status, diet, physical activity, BMI, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and blood pressure) was categorized as poor, intermediate, or ideal, as defined by the AHA guidelines. Results: The mean age at baseline was 56.9 ± 12.2 years and 2,350 participants (67%) were women. Among men, the prevalence of having 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 ideal cardiovascular health metrics was 6.6%, 25.8%, 32.7%, 21.6%, 10.6%, 2.3%, 0.4%, and 0%, respectively. Corresponding values for women were 3.2%, 28.1%, 32.9%, 22.3%, 10.1%, 2.9%, 0.38%, and 0%. While about two-thirds of men and women reported ideal smoking status, almost none reported ideal diet quality, and few met recommendations for BMI and blood pressure ( Figure) . Conclusions: Our data are consistent with less than optimal prevalence of cardiovascular health metrics in both men and women from the Jackson Heart Study. The lower prevalence of meeting ideal recommendations for diet, physical activity, BMI, and blood pressure underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve these modifiable lifestyle factors in order to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease among African-Americans.


2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106948
Author(s):  
Tyler D. Quinn ◽  
Patrick L. Yorio ◽  
Peter M. Smith ◽  
Yongsuk Seo ◽  
Geoffrey P. Whitfield ◽  
...  

BackgroundEmerging evidence, predominately from European and Asian countries, describes opposing effects of occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on cardiovascular health. This analysis examined cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence associated with OPA and LTPA.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis of 2015 National Health Interview Survey data (n=16 974) employed logistic regression to estimate odds (OR) of self-reported CVD (coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke or angina) with self-reported total occupational activity (TOA), occupational exertion (OE), occupational standing and walking (OSW) and LTPA. OPA was measured using two questions: ‘How often does your job involve…’ (1) ‘repeated lifting, pushing, pulling or bending?’ (OE) and (2) ‘standing or walking around?’ (OSW) with responses on a 5-item Likert scale (0=never, 4=always). TOA was categorised similarly after summing OE and OSW scores. LTPA was defined as 0, 1–149 or ≥150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity. All models adjusted for common socioeconomic variables and additional analyses were stratified by sex, smoking status and LTPA.ResultsOdds for CVD were higher when ‘always’ performing TOA (OR 1.99 95% CI 1.12 to 3.53), OE (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.19) or OSW (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.17) compared with ‘never’. When restricting to never-smokers, odds for CVD were higher when ‘always’ performing TOA (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.38 to 6.51) and OE (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.80 to 5.02) versus ‘never’.ConclusionAssociations of high OPA with CVD were equally apparent across sexes, stronger in lower LTPA levels and stronger in never-smokers. While uncontrolled confounding is still possible, even after extensive adjustment, the seemingly paradoxical adverse associations with OPA and CVD should be investigated further.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E M Raevschi ◽  
B C Martin

Abstract Background Achieving and maintaining cardiovascular health of individuals has a significant impact on reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality at the population level. Methods We performed a cross-sectional community survey of 2,612 adult respondents in the Republic of Moldova. The American Heart Association cardiovascular health metrics score was used in total and by its two components: (1) health factors (blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose, body mass index); (2) health behaviors (nonsmoking, physical activity, healthy diet score). The prevalence of CVD was identified as the main outcome measure. Results The prevalence of CVD was lower in study participants having all 7 cardiovascular health metrics (14.7%; 95% CI, 2.8% to 26.6%) compared to those with 0 to 1 cardiovascular health metrics (78.2%; 95% CI, 67.3% to 89.1%). Among participants who met all health factor metrics, the prevalence of CVD was lower (15.1%; 95% CI, 5.5% to 24.7%) compared to those with 0 to 1 health factor metrics (72.5 %; 95% CI, 69.9% to 75.0%). Study respondents who engaged in all health behaviors and those who engaged in 0 to 1 health behaviors had a similarly high prevalence of CVD (60.1%; 95% CI, 57.4% to 62.8% and 60.4%; 95% CI, 55.3% to 65.4%, respectively). Conclusions Lower prevalence of CVD was related to a greater total score of cardiovascular health metrics and with health factor components. While those diagnosed CVD appear willing to improve their behaviors, the population at risk is not likely to engage in health behaviors to prevent the onset of CVD. Key messages Increasing individual’s responsibility in addressing their own health implies improvement of community health. Strategies for health promotion should focus more on an individual’s motivation to assume personal responsibility for behaviors affecting their health.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bamba Gaye ◽  
Donald Lloyd-Jones ◽  
Eugenie Valentin ◽  
Joshua J Joseph ◽  
Xavier Jouven ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To describe patterns of change in cardiovascular health (CVH) measured by the Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) over 6 years in participants with diabetes, and assess the association of these patterns of change with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality.Methods: We conducted a long-term prospective cohort analysis (median follow-up 19 years) using the ARIC study, a community-based, biracial cohort with participants aged 45-64 years at baseline in 1987–1989. The LS7 metrics (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure) were collected at baseline and 6 years later. At both time points, participants were classified as low (0-2 ideal metrics), moderate (3-4), and favorable (5-7) CVH, and 6-year CVH change categories were created. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate the association between change categories and CVD and mortality. Results: The majority (62.2%) of participants with diabetes had a stable-low CVH at both visits, whereas 12.1% had stable-moderate and 0.4% stable-favorable, 14.9% improved, and 10.5% worsened. Compared to participants with stable-low CVH, CVD and mortality risk was lower for those who improved CVH 6 years later, or stable-moderate, or even high- or moderate-to-low CVH. This was driven by favorable changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity and smoking. Compared to participants free of diabetes with a stable-favorable CVH change, participants with diabetes had higher CVD and mortality risk regardless of their CVH trajectory. However, those with a favorable CVH trajectory displayed the same excess risk as participants without diabetes with stable-low CVH. Conclusions: Among individuals with diabetes, maintaining or reaching ideal levels of LS7 metrics can help reduce the excess CVD incidence and mortality. A favorable CVH trajectory in people with diabetes carried approximately the same excess CVD and mortality risk than an unfavorable CVH trajectory in people free of diabetes.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lissette Piedra ◽  

Introduction: Evidence suggests that subjective social status (SSS)—perceived status in the social hierarchy—may be more strongly associated with health than objective markers of social status (OSS), income and education. Compared to persons with high SSS, those with low SSS report poorer self-rated physical health and have higher rates of medical comorbidities. Little is known about the relationship between SSS and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) profiles defined by the American Heart Association (AHA), particularly among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults. Hypothesis: Higher SSS will be associated with more favorable CVH profiles. Methods: We analyzed baseline HCHS/SOL data † on adults ages 18-74 in 2008-11 (N=15,440). SSS was assessed using the McArthur Scale, a 10-rung “social ladder” to specify social rank (scores range from 1-10; higher scores indicate higher SSS). CVH was defined based on levels of 7 metrics: diet, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and smoking status; levels of each metric were categorized as ideal, intermediate and poor using AHA criteria. A composite CVH score was calculated by summing across metrics (scores range from 0-14; higher scores indicate better CVH). Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine cross-sectional associations of SSS with CVH (overall and single metrics), after adjusting for OSS, demographics, Hispanic/Latino group, study center, marital status, insurance, prevalent coronary heart disease, and depressive symptoms (CESD). Results: In multivariate-adjusted models, each one unit increase in SSS* was associated with a higher overall CVH score (β = 0.03, 95% CI 0.004, 0.057, p <0.05); higher SSS was also positively associated with ideal levels of BMI, physical activity, and fasting blood glucose levels (see Table 1). Conclusions: These findings suggest an association between SSS and CVH among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults. Future studies will explore the mechanisms through which SSS may influence CVH.


Author(s):  
Grzegorz Nowicki ◽  
Barbara Ślusarska ◽  
Honorata Piasecka ◽  
Agnieszka Bartoszek ◽  
Katarzyna Kocka ◽  
...  

Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association as the lack of cardiovascular disease and the presence of seven key factors and health behaviors. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of ideal and poor CVH among the Polish adult population based on the example of the inhabitants of Janów district in Lubelskie Voivodship, taking the chosen socio-demographic factors into consideration. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 3901 adults without cardiovascular diseases, aged between 35 and 64 years. Participants completed a questionnaire, and they had anthropometric and physiological measurements taken. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose and cholesterol levels. Ideal CVH was found in 5.4% of the participants, with the advantage of being toward city dwellers over those living in the rural areas (6.3% vs. 5.0%) p = 0.02. In the case of the residents of rural areas, their likelihood of having an ideal body mass index (BMI) was found to be 22% lower (odds ratio (OR) = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66–0.92), their likelihood of having an ideal diet was found to be 27% lower (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.54–0.94), their likelihood of having perfect blood pressure was found to be 29% lower (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.56–0.89), and their likelihood of having the perfect glucose levels was found to be 28% lower (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.63–0.84), than the residents of urban areas. The prevalence of ideal cardiovascular behaviors and factors is lower in the rural community compared with people living in the city. Results indicate that more effort should be dedicated toward the country’s health policy, specifically concerning primary prevention. Preventive actions in the field of cardiovascular disease should be addressed to the residents of rural areas to a larger extent.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Sheena Mirpuri ◽  
Kathryn Traub ◽  
Sara Romero ◽  
Marisol Hernandez ◽  
Francesca Gany

BACKGROUND: Taxi/for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers are a predominantly immigrant, male, and growing population in large, metropolitan cities in the U.S. at risk for cardiovascular conditions. OBJECTIVE: This review sought to systematically investigate the literature given mounting evidence of poor taxi/FHV driver health. METHODS: A systematic search of peer-reviewed journal articles that included a range of cardiovascular risks and conditions among taxi/FHV drivers in the U.S. was conducted. RESULTS: 8800 journal articles were initially found. 14 eligible articles were included: 3 mixed methods articles, 1 qualitative article, and 10 quantitative articles. Articles spanned 13 cardiovascular risks and conditions, including tobacco, nutrition, physical activity, stress, depression, body mass index/waist circumference, cholesterol, blood glucose/diabetes, air pollution, sleep, blood pressure/hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The majority of studies were cross-sectional and utilized convenience samples. CONCLUSIONS: Rigorous and high quality research is needed to further investigate rates of cardiovascular health in this population. The complexity of data collection in this group presents challenges to this endeavor. The high prevalence of poor nutrition, limited physical activity, diabetes, and blood pressure across studies indicates an urgent need to address low rates of health care access at a policy level and to design targeted workplace interventions.


Author(s):  
Grzegorz Józef Nowicki ◽  
Barbara Ślusarska ◽  
Honorata Piasecka ◽  
Agnieszka Bartoszek ◽  
Katarzyna Kocka ◽  
...  

Perfect cardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association as the lack of cardiovascular disease and the presence of seven key factors and health behaviors. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of ideal and poor CVH among the Polish adult population, taking the chosen socio-demographic factors into consideration. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 3,901 adults without cardiovascular diseases, aged between 35 and 64 years. Participants completed a questionnaire, and they had anthropometric and physiological measurements taken. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose and cholesterol levels. Ideal CVH was found in 5.4% of the participants, with the advantage of being toward city dwellers over those living in the rural areas (6.3% vs. 5.0%) p = 0.02. In case of the residents of rural areas, their likelihood of having an ideal body mass index (BMI) was found to be 22% lower (odds ratio (OR) = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66&ndash;0.92), their likelihood of having an ideal diet was found to be 27% lower (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.54&ndash;0.94), their likelihood of having perfect blood pressure was found to be 29% lower (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.56&ndash;0.89), and their likelihood of having the perfect glucose levels were found to be 28% lower (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.63&ndash;0.84), than the residents of urban areas. The prevalence of ideal cardiovascular behaviors and factors is lower in the rural community compared with people living in the city. Results indicate that more effort should be dedicated toward the country&rsquo;s health policy, specifically concerning primary prevention. Preventive actions in the field of cardiovascular disease should be addressed to the residents of rural areas to a larger extent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S67-S67
Author(s):  
Mark Hawes ◽  
Kimberly Roth ◽  
Xiaoyan Wang ◽  
Ana Stefancic ◽  
Christopher Weatherly ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary contributor to premature death among people with serious mental illness (SMI). This study examined the prevalence and correlates of the American Heart Association (AHA) metric of ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) in racially and ethnically diverse people with serious mental illness living in supportive housing. Methods Our study used baseline data from an NIMH-funded trial testing the effectiveness of a peer-led healthy lifestyle intervention, for overweight/obese participants with SMI in three supportive housing agencies. A total of 314 participants were enrolled in the trial and included in these analyses. Five ICVH metrics (BMI, smoking, diet, physical activity, and blood pressure [BP]) were measured and summed to create a composite ICVH score. Correlates were informed by findings from systematic literature reviews examining ICVH in the general population and studies examining correlates of CVD in people with SMI. Hierarchal regression analysis was used to examine the associations of sample correlates with the composite ICVH score. Results The mean age of participants was 48.7 and 57.3% were male. The most common lifetime mental health diagnoses were depression (75.2%), schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (56.7%), and bipolar disorder (46.5%). Approximately 38.5% of participants reported lifetime substance abuse/dependence. The majority (62.7%) were taking an antipsychotic medication. Lifetime physical health diagnoses were high cholesterol (36.3%), diabetes (32.5%), cardiovascular disease (17.2%), and cancer (4.5%). Participants walked on average 318.4 meters during the six-minute walking test (6MWT), a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The prevalence of smoking (64.7%) and obesity (64%) were high, while the prevalence of ideal physical activity (37.6%), healthy diet status (2.2%), and ideal BP (23.6%) were low. The mean ICVH composite score was 3.15 (range 0 – 8). After controlling for all covariates, women, racial/ethnic minorities, use of antipsychotic medications, lifetime cancer diagnosis, and poor CRF were significantly (p &lt; .05) related to low ICVH scores. Discussion In our racially/ethnically diverse sample of people with SMI in supportive housing, the prevalence of ICVH was low. Our findings suggest that there are specific subgroups that may benefit from targeted screening and interventions to improve cardiovascular health. The association between CRF and ICVH scores highlights the importance of increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior. The AHA ICVH metric can be a useful tool for tracking and improving the cardiovascular health of people with SMI.


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