Original Article ASSESSMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS OF AN URBAN NIGERIAN HYPERTENSIVE POPULATION USING A RISK SCORE CALCULATOR

Objective: A cardiovascular risk score calculator was used to assess the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in an urban population with high blood pressure. Methodology: A total of 425 subjects aged 35 years and above took part in the cross sectional survey held at Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. A detailed questionnaire was administered to the subjects to ascertain their risk levels consequent upon life style and genetic disposition. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressures (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by standard methods. Fasting blood samples were drawn from the participants for biochemical assays. A cardiovascular risk calculator was used to determine the risk of the subjects to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results: The mean ages were 53.26±11.76 and 49.53±8.6 years for men and women respectively, while the mean SBP were 154.22±23.56 and 150.86±26.44mm/Hg. The distribution of the subjects according to risk status were 21.88 % for both low and very high risk status while 31.29% were of average risk. The cardiovascular risk score was higher (P < 0.05) in men than in the women. Conclusion: Overall, the predicted risk of death from cardiovascular causes progressed with age in both genders. The results also show that men were more likely to die of cardiovascular diseases