Life Style – ABC CARDIOL

IJCS

Original Article

Lifestyle and Hypertension in Brazil and Spain

Giovanna Lucieri Alonso Costa et al. Jurema Correa Mota Marina Ururahy Soriano de Sousa Flavio Kapczinski … Jose Cervera-Martínez Vicent Balanzá-Martínez Raquel B. De Boni

Abstract

Background:

Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Lifestyle medicine (LM) assesses health through seven domains (diet, physical activity, substance use, sleep, social support, stress management, and environmental exposure), which also include risk factors for hypertension.

Purpose:

To evaluate the association between lifestyle and hypertension in Brazil and Spain.

Methods:

Secondary analysis of data from two web surveys conducted in 2020 in Brazil and Spain, which assessed lifestyle through a multidimensional scale. We enrolled 5224 individuals of both genders, aged > 18 years, living in Brazil and Spain, and with Internet access. The main outcome was a self-reported hypertension diagnosis. We calculated the absolute and relative frequency of the independent variables and evaluated the factors associated with hypertension in logistic regression models.

Results:

76.2% of participants were women, 57.9% were > 42 years old, and 66.9% had finished higher education. Over the last 12 months, 19.6% of Brazilians and 9.2% of Spanish reported diagnosis/treatment of hypertension. Male and older groups living in Brazil, with lower education and worse lifestyles, were more likely to report hypertension. General lifestyle score was not associated with hypertension in Brazil, while hypertensive individuals had better scores in Spain (p < 0.001). Hypertensive individuals had worse lifestyle scores in physical activity (p < 0.05) and sleep (p < 0.05) in Brazil and better diet scores in Spain (p < 0.001). Environmental exposure was better among hypertensive individuals in both countries (p < 0.001). Our results point to cultural and socioeconomic differences between both countries.

Conclusion:

LM is an important strategy for the prevention/treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension

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IJCS

Editorial

Is Patient Education about the Benefits of Physical Activity a Good Adjunct Treatment Strategy in Hypertension?

Dário C. Sobral Filho et al. Maria de Fátima Monteiro

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a chronic condition that is highly prevalent worldwide. It occurs without symptoms in most individuals and represents the main modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The adoption of behaviors that do not involve medication, such as changes in lifestyle and regular practice of physical exercise, along with strict adherence to prescribed medication, is a major challenge in the treatment of this disorder.^,

The guidelines of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology on hypertension recommend the implementation of lifestyle changes as the first line of treatment for low- to moderate-risk groups, thereby emphasizing the importance of such measures.

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Original Article

Better Adequacy of Food Intake According to Dietary Recommendations of National Cholesterol Education Program in Vegetarian Compared to Omnivorous Men

Luiza Antoniazzi et al. Julio Acosta-Navarro Adriana Midori Oki Maria Carlos Bonfim Maria Cristina Almeida Gaspar

Abstract

Background

The lower frequency of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors observed in vegetarians compared to omnivores may be due to more appropriate nutrient intake according to recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective

To compare the dietary adequacy according to the recommendations of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) in apparently healthy vegetarian (VEG) and omnivorous (OMN) men.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, conducted with apparently healthy men (44 omnivorous and 44 vegetarians, ≥ 35 years), who were assessed for daily food consumption, anthropometric data, physical exercise status, and clinical data. Multiple logistic regression was used to test the association between the type of diet and the dietary adequacy. Significant values were considered for p<0.05.

Results

Several clinical CV risk markers were significantly lower in VEG when compared to OMN: body mass index (BMI) (23.1 vs. 27.3 kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (119.5 vs. 129.2 mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (75.7 vs. 83.9 mmHg). VEG presented significant lower values of blood lipids and glucose. No significant difference was observed in caloric intake; however, VEG consumed significantly more carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and polyunsaturated fats. VEG presented an adequate consumption of dietary cholesterol and saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, regardless of caloric intake and age.

Conclusion

VEG were more likely to consume saturated fatty acids, dietary cholesterol, and fibers according to the recommendations of NCEP, factors that may contribute to lower levels of CV risk markers than OMN.

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Editorial

Are we Improving Adherence to Cardiovascular Guidelines?

Luciana Nicolau Aranha et al. Gláucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) comprise the world’s leading group of causes of death, accounting for premature deaths, loss of quality of life, and adverse economic and social impacts. They represent about 70% of global deaths, close to 38 million deaths annually, significantly exceeding deaths from external causes and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Almost 45% of the deaths, more than 17 million, occur as a result of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The same happens in Brazil, where 72% of the deaths are due to NCDs, and about 30%, to CVD.

Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for CVD, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Prospective and long-term epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with healthier lifestyles and fewer risk factors for CAD could improve their life expectancy by decreasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The Framingham Offspring Study, which followed 3501 participants from 1987 to 2011, has demonstrated that low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, alone or in any combination, are associated with increased risk for CVDs. Therefore, intervention measures are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality, as well as the cost of hospitalization due to those diseases. In addition, improving the quality of life and health of the population is essential.

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Editorial

The Importance of Cardiovascular Risk in Primary Healthcare

Erika Maria Gonçalves Campana et al. Rafael Santos Costa

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Brazil and worldwide, determining increased morbidity and disability-adjusted life years. The implementation of health policies, among them, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits and providing access to primary and secondary CVD prevention measures, associated with the treatment of cardiovascular (CV) events are essential to control CVD in all countries, including Brazil.

Arterial hypertension (AH) has a high prevalence in Brazil. It varies according with the population studied and the assessment method used. It is often associated with metabolic disorders, functional and/or structural changes in target organs, being worsened by the presence of other risk factors (RF), such as dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus (DM).

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Original Article

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk in Hypertensive Individuals Attending a Primary Health Care Center

Tiago Ricardo Moreira et al. Luana Vieira Toledo Érica Toledo Mendonça Renata Maria Colodette … Luciana Saraiva Silva Rosângela Minardi Mitre Cotta

Abstract

Background:

Cardiovascular risk (CVR) stratification has traditionally been used as a strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in asymptomatic people.

Objective:

To identify the CVR in hypertensive patients attending a primary health care center, using the Framingham risk score, and to evaluate possible associations and correlations with sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory variables not included in this score. This cross-sectional study was conducted with hypertensive patients treated in a primary health care center in Brazil (n = 166).

Methods:

Data collection, administration of questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed from July to August 2013. Multiple linear regression was used in the analysis. A two-tailed p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

High CVR was independently associated with male sex (B = 8.73; 95%CI: 6.27: 11.19), high serum levels of total cholesterol (B = 0.05; IC95%: 0.02: 0.08), number of drugs used (B = 0.55; 95%Ci: 0.12: 0.98) and a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (B = -0.11; 95%CI: -0.18 : -0.03).

Conclusion:

The results of this study reinforce the importance of continuous and longitudinal care practices directed to hypertensive patients aiming at early detection of risk factors and appropriate intervention to improve the prognosis of this population.

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Original Article

Association between Central Obesity and Biochemical Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk in Elderly Attended in Geriatric Ambulatory – Lagarto/SE

Ana Caroline de Souza Almeida et al. Carolina Cunha de Oliveira Emanuelle Dias Costa Adenilda Queiroz S Deiró

Abstract

Backgroud:

Central obesity, especially visceral adipose tissue (VAT), represents a health risk due to its endocrine and metabolic capacity, contributing to the development of the atherogenic profile and strongly associating with cardiovascular morbimortality.

Objective:

To identify the association between central obesity and biochemical markers of cardiometabolic risk in elderly patients treated at a geriatric outpatient clinic in Lagarto-SE.

Method:

This is a cross-sectional study of 159 elderly people of both sexes. Central adiposity was considered an independent variable, identified by measuring the Waist Circumference (WC). Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, HDL-c, non-HDL-c, triglycerides, glycemia and Castelli I and II indices were considered dependent variables. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between central obesity and biochemical markers of cardiometabolic risk. Those with p < 0.20 were used in the bivariate regression analysis, adopting a 95% confidence interval.

Results:

Mean age was 70.9 ± 7.5 years. Central obesity was present in 43.2% of males and 56.8% of females (p = 0.002). There was statistically significant association between HDL-c, HDL-C and Castelli I Index and central obesity. Individuals with central obesity are 2.48 and 3.13 times more likely to develop changes in HDL-C and Castelli I index, respectively.

Conclusion:

There is an association between central obesity and biochemical markers of cardiometabolic risk in the elderly.

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Original Article

Association between Therapeutic Adherence and the Profile of Patients with Resistant Hypertension

Luciana Baltazar da Silveira de Araújo et al. Roque Aras Junior

Abstract

Background:

Resistant hypertension (RH) consists of increased blood pressure (BP) despite the use of 3 or more antihypertensives or BP control only when is use of 4 or more antihypertensives. It is fundamental to exclude pseudoresistance, which can be attributed to poor therapeutic adherence. Adherence evaluation, generally by the Morisky-Grenn test, is important because, when appropriate, it is associated with fewer cardiovascular complications and better BP control.

Objectives:

To evaluate the adherence of patients with RH and to investigate its relation with epidemiological, anthropometric and clinical characteristics, as well as to estimate the prevalence of pseudoresistance and to outline strategies to improve adherence.

Methods:

Retrospective observational cohort from an interview with patients followed at an outpatient clinic for RH. Therapeutic adherence, demographic, anthropometric data, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, complementary exams and BP level were collected. One-way ANOVA and Student’s t-tests were used for normal variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for non-normal tests. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-Square test. We considered a 5% significance level in all tests.

Results:

217 individuals were included. Of these, 17% had poor adherence. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics, complications, comorbidities, BP level or drugs used were statistically insignificant between groups. The poor adherence group used significantly more drugs (p = 0.0313) and 28% of pseudoresistance was estimated.

Conclusions:

Most of the individuals presented good therapeutic adherence by the Morisky test. Only the number of antihypertensive drugs had a statistically significant influence on adherence, while the epidemiological, anthropometric and clinical characteristics were statistically insignificant.

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Editorial

Anxiety, Depression, Stress and the Heart: When Measurement Matters

Cristiano Tschiedel Belem da Silva et al. Rafaela Doebber Escobar

The interplay between cardiovascular symptoms and stress has been a matter of concern for centuries. The first known scientific description of panic disorder, for example, which would nowadays be considered a mixture of panic disorder itself, post-traumatic-stress disorder, cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, took place in a cohort of three hundred patients of a military hospital in Philadelphia (USA). The name of the new diagnostic entity that followed (“irritable heart syndrome” or simply “Da Costa Syndrome,” named after the author of the original description) is rather an indicator of the historical overlap between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and psychosocial conditions than properly an example of scientific rigor in describing the discovery of a new medical syndrome.

About sixteen years after the description of the irritable heart syndrome, Augustus Waller, a British physiologist, published the first human electrocardiogram (EKG) applying a capillary electrometer and placing electrodes in the chest and back of an individual. More than half a century after Waller’s publication, the 12-Lead EKG – as we know it now – was standardized by the American Heart Association. Since then, EKG is the most important test for the interpretation of cardiac rhythm and for the detection of myocardial ischemia. In sharp contrast with diagnostic developments in Cardiology and despite a whole new era in neuroimaging, no single physiological marker has emerged to help detecting anxiety disorders or depression in Psychiatry. Nonetheless, the degree to which mental disorders are realized within the brain or in the rest of the body is still unclear.

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