<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD JATS (Z39.96) Journal Publishing DTD v1.1 20151215//EN" "https://jats.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/1.1/JATS-journalpublishing1.dtd">
<article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" specific-use="sps-1.9" dtd-version="1.1" xml:lang="pt" article-type="research-article">
  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">abc</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="publisher">Arq. Bras. Cardiol.</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn pub-type="ppub">0066-782X</issn>
      <issn pub-type="epub">1678-4170</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia - SBC</publisher-name>
        <publisher-loc>S&#227;o Paulo, SP, Brazil</publisher-loc>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id" specific-use="scielo-v3">9TTs3Q5HvRGJ9BgrYc8q6nN</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="other">00005</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id" specific-use="scielo-v2">S0066-782X2006000100005</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id" specific-use="scielo-v1">S0066-782X(06)08600105</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.1590/S0066-782X2006000100005</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Artigos Originais</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>Valores de press&#227;o arterial e suas associa&#231;&#245;es com fatores de risco cardiovasculares em servidores da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Concei&#231;&#227;o</surname>
            <given-names>Tatiana Valverde da</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff01"/>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Gomes</surname>
            <given-names>Fabiano Alves</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff01"/>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Tauil</surname>
            <given-names>Pedro Luiz</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff01"/>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Rosa</surname>
            <given-names>T&#226;nia Torres</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff01"/>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <aff id="aff01">
        <addr-line>
          <named-content content-type="city">Bras&#237;lia</named-content>
          <named-content content-type="state">Distrito Federal</named-content>
        </addr-line>
        <institution content-type="orgname">Universidade de Bras&#237;lia</institution>
        <institution content-type="orgdiv1">Faculdade de Medicina </institution>
        <country country="BR">Brazil</country>
      </aff>
      <pub-date date-type="collection" publication-format="electronic">
        <month>01</month>
        <year>2006</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>86</volume>
      <issue>1</issue>
      <fpage>26</fpage>
      <lpage>31</lpage>
      <history>
        <date date-type="received">
          <day>07</day>
          <month>01</month>
          <year>2005</year>
        </date>
      </history>
      <permissions>
        <license license-type="open-access" xlink:href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/" xml:lang="en">
          <license-p>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract>
        <p>OBJETIVO: Verificar e classificar, de acordo com o JNC 7, os n&#237;veis de press&#227;o arterial dos servidores acima de quarenta anos da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia, e estimar a preval&#234;ncia de fatores de risco cardiovasculares presentes em tal popula&#231;&#227;o. M&#201;TODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal na Universidade de Bras&#237;lia, onde os servidores acima de quarenta anos responderam a um question&#225;rio e tiveram press&#227;o arterial, peso e altura medidos. Os n&#237;veis de press&#227;o arterial foram classificados de acordo com o JNC 7 e os dados demogr&#225;ficos dos indiv&#237;duos de cada categoria foram analisados. A porcentagem dos fatores de risco foi calculada. A an&#225;lise estat&#237;stica foi feita atrav&#233;s do teste ANOVA e do teste qui-quadrado, quando aplic&#225;vel. RESULTADOS: Setecentos e quatro servidores participaram do estudo, incluindo 438 homens e 266 mulheres. A mediana de idade foi 47 anos. Segundo o JNC 7, 139 (19,8%) pessoas foram classificadas como normotensas; 298 (42,3%) como pr&#233;-hipertensas e 267 (37,9%) como hipertensas. Os fatores de risco avaliados foram sobrepeso/obesidade (56,8%), tabagismo (19,5%), consumo de bebidas alco&#243;licas (53,6%), sedentarismo (48,4%) e hipertens&#227;o (37,9%). CONCLUS&#195;O: A alta freq&#252;&#234;ncia de n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos elevados e fatores de risco cardiovasculares apontam para a necessidade de medidas preventivas e terap&#234;uticas de doen&#231;as cardiovasculares direcionadas aos servidores da universidade.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group xml:lang="pt" kwd-group-type="author-generated">
        <kwd>press&#227;o arterial</kwd>
        <kwd>fator de risco cardiovascular</kwd>
        <kwd>hipertens&#227;o arterial</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
      <pub-date publication-format="electronic" date-type="pub">
        <day>13</day>
        <month>02</month>
        <year>2006</year>
      </pub-date>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body>
    <p>
      <bold>ARTIGO ORIGINAL</bold>
    </p>
    <p>Valores de press&#227;o arterial e suas associa&#231;&#245;es com fatores de risco cardiovasculares em servidores da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia  </p>
    <p>
      <bold>Tatiana Valverde da Concei&#231;&#227;o; Fabiano Alves Gomes; Pedro Luiz Tauil; T&#226;nia Torres Rosa</bold>
    </p>
    <p>Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia - Bras&#237;lia, DF</p>
    <p>
      <xref ref-type="corresp" rid="end">Correspond&#234;ncia</xref>
    </p>
    <p>
      <bold>RESUMO</bold>
    </p>
    <p><bold>OBJETIVO: </bold>Verificar e classificar, de acordo com o JNC 7, os n&#237;veis de press&#227;o arterial dos servidores acima de quarenta anos da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia, e estimar a preval&#234;ncia de fatores de risco cardiovasculares presentes em tal popula&#231;&#227;o. </p>
    <p><bold>M&#201;TODOS: </bold>Foi realizado um estudo transversal na Universidade de Bras&#237;lia, onde os servidores acima de quarenta anos responderam a um question&#225;rio e tiveram press&#227;o arterial, peso e altura medidos. Os n&#237;veis de press&#227;o arterial foram classificados de acordo com o JNC 7 e os dados demogr&#225;ficos dos indiv&#237;duos de cada categoria foram analisados. A porcentagem dos fatores de risco foi calculada. A an&#225;lise estat&#237;stica foi feita atrav&#233;s do teste ANOVA e do teste qui-quadrado, quando aplic&#225;vel. </p>
    <p><bold>RESULTADOS: </bold>Setecentos e quatro servidores participaram do estudo, incluindo 438 homens e 266 mulheres. A mediana de idade foi 47 anos. Segundo o JNC 7, 139 (19,8%) pessoas foram classificadas como normotensas; 298 (42,3%) como pr&#233;-hipertensas e 267 (37,9%) como hipertensas. Os fatores de risco avaliados foram sobrepeso/obesidade (56,8%), tabagismo (19,5%), consumo de bebidas alco&#243;licas (53,6%), sedentarismo (48,4%) e hipertens&#227;o (37,9%). </p>
    <p><bold>CONCLUS&#195;O: </bold>A alta freq&#252;&#234;ncia de n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos elevados e fatores de risco cardiovasculares apontam para a necessidade de medidas preventivas e terap&#234;uticas de doen&#231;as cardiovasculares direcionadas aos servidores da universidade.</p>
    <p><bold>Palavras-chave: </bold>press&#227;o arterial, fator de risco cardiovascular, hipertens&#227;o arterial</p>
    <p>A hipertens&#227;o arterial (HA) tem sido reconhecida como o principal fator de risco para a morbidade e mortalidade precoces causadas por doen&#231;as cardiovasculares. Estudos epidemiol&#243;gicos indicam que n&#237;veis elevados de press&#227;o arterial (PA) aumentam o risco de doen&#231;a vascular cerebral, doen&#231;as coronarianas, insufici&#234;ncia card&#237;aca congestiva e insufici&#234;ncia renal cr&#244;nica<sup>1,2</sup>.</p>
    <p>Um dos desafios na preven&#231;&#227;o e tratamento da HA &#233; aumentar a sua detec&#231;&#227;o, a qual se inicia com a apropriada aferi&#231;&#227;o da PA. O rastreamento de n&#237;veis aumentados de PA &#233; um procedimento que deve ser realizado pelo profissional de sa&#250;de como medida preventiva de sa&#250;de, fazendo parte do exame cl&#237;nico de rotina. Esse simples procedimento pode detectar indiv&#237;duos assintom&#225;ticos com elevados n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos, o que permite o in&#237;cio precoce do tratamento, seja ele farmacol&#243;gico e/ou baseado em modifica&#231;&#245;es do estilo de vida<sup>3</sup>.</p>
    <p>As campanhas de preven&#231;&#227;o e combate a HA s&#227;o uma outra oportunidade para se realizar o rastreamento de indiv&#237;duos assintom&#225;ticos com n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos aumentados<sup>4</sup>.</p>
    <p>No Brasil, somente existem estudos regionais sobre a epidemiologia da HA, bem como de fatores de risco cardiovasculares, o que dificulta o conhecimento da preval&#234;ncia e da dimens&#227;o do problema na realidade brasileira, limitando-o a estimativas.</p>
    <p>No ano de 2002, foi realizada, na Universidade de Bras&#237;lia (UnB), a campanha "UnB 40 anos com sa&#250;de", motivada pelo anivers&#225;rio de quarenta anos da universidade, tendo entre os seus objetivos a melhoria da qualidade de vida no campus. A campanha foi direcionada aos servidores com mais de quarenta anos de idade e procurou identificar fatores de risco cardiovasculares presentes naquela popula&#231;&#227;o.</p>
    <p>O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar e classificar os n&#237;veis de PA de servidores acima de quarenta anos da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia, bem como estimar a preval&#234;ncia de fatores de risco cardiovasculares presentes em tal popula&#231;&#227;o. </p>
    <p>
      <bold>M&#201;TODOS</bold>
    </p>
    <p>Durante o segundo semestre de 2002, por ocasi&#227;o do anivers&#225;rio dos quarenta anos da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia, o Decanato (pr&#243;-reitoria) de Assuntos Comunit&#225;rios (DAC) apresentou um projeto, aprovado pelas inst&#226;ncias superiores da UnB, com o objetivo de identificar a situa&#231;&#227;o de sa&#250;de dos servidores acima de quarenta anos. Todos os setores e unidades da UnB foram consultadas por documento de tramita&#231;&#227;o interna sobre o interesse e concord&#226;ncia em participar da campanha. N&#227;o houve negativas. </p>
    <p>Os participantes foram tamb&#233;m esclarecidos de que os dados obtidos nesse levantamento seriam analisados e processados com o intuito de adequar os locais de trabalho dos servidores e promover a&#231;&#245;es educativas, visando melhorias em suas qualidades de vida.</p>
    <p>Parte desses dados foi utilizada para a realiza&#231;&#227;o da presente pesquisa, por meio de um estudo transversal. O Comit&#234; de &#201;tica em pesquisas humanas da Faculdade de Medicina analisou o presente estudo e deu seu aval para a realiza&#231;&#227;o, desde que o DAC tamb&#233;m autorizasse sua realiza&#231;&#227;o. Isso foi obtido por documento assinado pela decana respons&#225;vel e coordenadora do projeto geral.</p>
    <p>A coleta de dados foi feita por alunos de gradua&#231;&#227;o de cursos da &#225;rea de sa&#250;de, que foram treinados para ser monitores quanto ao procedimento da entrevista e para aferir a PA, o peso e a altura dos entrevistados, de acordo com procedimentos padronizados. Foram realizadas visitas &#224;s diversas unidades acad&#234;micas, nas quais foram avaliados os servidores com idade superior a quarenta anos.</p>
    <p>O instrumento utilizado na entrevista foi um question&#225;rio, preenchido pelos monitores, com perguntas sobre h&#225;bitos de sa&#250;de, entre os quais: pr&#225;tica de atividade f&#237;sica, tabagismo e uso de &#225;lcool. Al&#233;m do question&#225;rio, tomou-se uma medida da PA, do peso e da altura de cada indiv&#237;duo, ao final da entrevista. Para a aferi&#231;&#227;o da PA, foram utilizados estetosc&#243;pios e esfigmoman&#244;metros aner&#243;ides, devidamente calibrados. Foi realizada uma medida da PA em um dos membros superiores. A classifica&#231;&#227;o da PA foi realizada de acordo com a classifica&#231;&#227;o do JNC 7<sup>1</sup>, a qual considera quatro n&#237;veis, em mmHg: normal (PA sist&#243;lica &lt; 120 e PA diast&#243;lica &lt;8 0); pr&#233;-hipertens&#227;o (PA sist&#243;lica entre 120-139 ou PA diast&#243;lica entre 80-89); hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 1 (PA sist&#243;lica entre 140-159 ou PA diast&#243;lica entre 90-99) e hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 2 (PA sist&#243;lica <underline>&gt;</underline> 160 ou PA diast&#243;lica <underline>&gt;</underline> 100)<sup>1</sup>.</p>
    <p>O c&#225;lculo do &#237;ndice de massa corporal (IMC) foi realizado de acordo com a f&#243;rmula IMC = [peso (kg)]/[altura (m)]<sup>2</sup>. Atividade f&#237;sica regular foi definida como a pr&#225;tica de exerc&#237;cios f&#237;sicos, no m&#237;nimo quatro vezes na semana, durante ao menos trinta minutos por dia. Foi considerado sedent&#225;rio aquele que negou a pr&#225;tica de qualquer tipo de exerc&#237;cio f&#237;sico. Considerou-se tabagista todo indiv&#237;duo que declarou ser fumante no momento da entrevista, independentemente da quantidade de cigarros. Foram considerados consumidores de bebida alco&#243;lica todos aqueles que referiram fazer uso de tal bebida, independentemente do tipo, quantidade ou freq&#252;&#234;ncia de uso.</p>
    <p>A an&#225;lise estat&#237;stica foi feita por meio dos testes de an&#225;lise de vari&#226;ncia (ANOVA) para an&#225;lise de m&#233;dias e qui-quadrado para an&#225;lise de propor&#231;&#245;es, quando aplic&#225;vel.</p>
    <p>
      <bold>RESULTADOS</bold>
    </p>
    <p>
      <bold>Dados gerais</bold>
    </p>
    <p>Foram avaliados 704 servidores da universidade, sendo 438 (62,2%) homens e 266 (37,8%) mulheres, com m&#233;dia de idade 48,5 &#177; 6,1 e mediana de 40 anos, variando entre quarenta e 72 anos. Dentre esses, 91 (12,9%) eram professores e 613 (87,1%) eram servidores t&#233;cnico-administrativos.</p>
    <p>
      <bold>Classifica&#231;&#227;o da press&#227;o arterial</bold>
    </p>
    <p>A <xref ref-type="table" rid="tab01">tabela 1</xref> apresenta a distribui&#231;&#227;o dos entrevistados de acordo com a classifica&#231;&#227;o dos n&#237;veis de PA. Dentre os avaliados, 139 indiv&#237;duos (87 mulheres) apresentaram n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos dentro da faixa normal, representando 19,8% do total. </p>
    <table-wrap id="tab01">
      <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gt01.jpg"/></table-wrap>
    <p>N&#237;veis de PA inclu&#237;dos na faixa de pr&#233;-hipertens&#227;o foram encontrados em 298 (42,3%) entrevistados. Na categoria hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 1 foram inclu&#237;dos 170 (24,1%) indiv&#237;duos. A menor parcela da amostra estudada, 97 indiv&#237;duos (13,8%), teve n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos classificados como est&#225;gio 2 de hipertens&#227;o. O n&#250;mero total de hipertensos foi de 267 pessoas, correspondendo a 37,9% dos participantes.</p>
    <p>O g&#234;nero masculino foi associado com uma maior preval&#234;ncia nas faixas de pr&#233;-hipertens&#227;o, hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 1 e hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 2 ao se comparar com a faixa normal (<xref ref-type="table" rid="tab01">tabela 1</xref>).</p>
    <p>
      <bold>Vari&#225;veis estudadas</bold>
    </p>
    <p>A <xref ref-type="table" rid="tab02">tabela 2</xref> apresenta um resumo dos dados referentes &#224;s vari&#225;veis estudadas, de acordo com o g&#234;nero e com a classifica&#231;&#227;o da PA. </p>
    <table-wrap id="tab02">
      <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gt02.jpg"/></table-wrap>
    <p>Na <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig01">figura 1</xref> est&#225; a preval&#234;ncia dos fatores de risco cardiovasculares identificados no estudo. O IMC &gt; 25, correspondente &#224;s pessoas com sobrepeso e obesidade, foi encontrado em 400 (56,8%) pessoas, destacando-se como o fator de risco mais prevalente. Encontrou-se um total de 137 (19,5%) tabagistas. A pr&#225;tica de exerc&#237;cios f&#237;sicos foi citada por 364 entrevistados, e 143 pessoas realizavam atividade f&#237;sica regular de, pelo menos, trinta minutos de dura&#231;&#227;o, durante, no m&#237;nimo, quatro dias por semana, correspondendo a 20,31% do total de entrevistados. O sedentarismo revelou-se presente em 48,3% da amostra (340 indiv&#237;duos). Do total de entrevistados, 377 pessoas (53,6%) declararam consumir bebidas alco&#243;licas, dessas 6% diariamente, 50% semanalmente, 10,8% mensalmente e 33,2% raramente.</p>
    <fig id="fig01">
      <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gf01.jpg"/></fig>
    <p>A associa&#231;&#227;o entre a classifica&#231;&#227;o da PA e fatores de risco cardiovasculares est&#225; representada na <xref ref-type="table" rid="tab03">tabela 3</xref>, por meio de raz&#245;es de chance (OR) ajustadas por g&#234;nero. O IMC &gt; 25 e o consumo de &#225;lcool apresentaram-se fortemente associados aos n&#237;veis maiores de PA, em ambos os sexos. N&#227;o houve correla&#231;&#227;o entre n&#237;veis aumentados de PA e preval&#234;ncia de tabagismo e sedentarismo. </p>
    <table-wrap id="tab03">
      <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gt03.jpg"/></table-wrap>
    <p>
      <bold>DISCUSS&#195;O</bold>
    </p>
    <p>Calcula-se que em todo o mundo exista aproximadamente um bilh&#227;o de indiv&#237;duos hipertensos, e que nos Estados Unidos a doen&#231;a afete cinq&#252;enta milh&#245;es de pessoas<sup>1</sup>. No Brasil, n&#227;o existem dados consistentes sobre a preval&#234;ncia da hipertens&#227;o arterial, sendo estimados valores entre 15% e 47,8% entre os homens, e 15% e 41,1% entre as mulheres<sup>5-7</sup>. O presente estudo revelou valores de PA correspondentes a n&#237;veis de hipertens&#227;o arterial em 37,9% dos indiv&#237;duos avaliados, e a preval&#234;ncia entre os homens foi 45,9%, e entre as mulheres 24,8%. </p>
    <p>A faixa inferior de freq&#252;&#234;ncia de hipertens&#227;o arterial foi acima daquela relatada na literatura brasileira, por certo em raz&#227;o, primeiramente, da maior m&#233;dia de idade da popula&#231;&#227;o estudada, em rela&#231;&#227;o a outros estudos populacionais, e, depois, porque esses dados s&#227;o resultados de uma campanha de rastreamento, a qual p&#244;de apenas detectar o valor moment&#226;neo da PA.</p>
    <p>A classifica&#231;&#227;o dos valores de PA pode ser realizada de acordo com diversas diretrizes publicadas por entidades nacionais e internacionais relacionadas ao estudo da hipertens&#227;o arterial. Atualmente, as duas classifica&#231;&#245;es mais utilizadas s&#227;o a do JNC 7<sup>1</sup> e a da WHO/ISH (Organiza&#231;&#227;o Mundial de Sa&#250;de/Sociedade Internacional de Hipertens&#227;o)<sup>8</sup>. As diretrizes brasileiras de hipertens&#227;o arterial<sup>9</sup> seguem basicamente as recomenda&#231;&#245;es da ISH.</p>
    <p>O Grupo de Nefrologia da UnB, cadastrado no CNPq, que orientou tamb&#233;m este subprojeto, tem seguido como guia o JNC desde de sua quarta vers&#227;o e, por isso, manteve a mesma refer&#234;ncia.</p>
    <p>A mais nova edi&#231;&#227;o do JNC 7<sup>1</sup> traz mudan&#231;as significativas em rela&#231;&#227;o &#224; anterior, cabendo destacar a classifica&#231;&#227;o da PA em pessoas maiores de dezoito anos. Os n&#237;veis de PA foram divididos em quatro categorias: normal, pr&#233;-hipertens&#227;o, hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 1 e hipertens&#227;o est&#225;gio 2<sup>1</sup>.</p>
    <p>A nova classifica&#231;&#227;o "pr&#233;-hipertens&#227;o" pode ser entendida como um alerta aos m&#233;dicos e pacientes quanto ao significado dos n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos inclu&#237;dos nessa faixa<sup>10</sup>. A modifica&#231;&#227;o de estilo de vida &#233; recomendada desde esses n&#237;veis de PA pelo JNC 7<sup>1</sup>, pois constatou-se que a morbidade e a mortalidade cardiovasculares associadas com n&#237;veis de PA iniciam-se nesses valores ou at&#233; mesmo em valores menores<sup>1</sup>. Em nossa amostra, uma grande parcela (42,3%) apresentou n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos dentro da faixa de pr&#233;-hipertens&#227;o, o que sinaliza a import&#226;ncia da orienta&#231;&#227;o sobre h&#225;bitos de vida saud&#225;veis nessa popula&#231;&#227;o.</p>
    <p>A preval&#234;ncia da HA aumenta com a idade, estimando-se em 50% das pessoas com mais de sessenta anos<sup>3</sup>, bem como o risco de tornar-se hipertenso ao longo da vida, chegando a 90% em indiv&#237;duos normotensos aos 55 anos<sup>1</sup>. Em nosso estudo, realizado com pessoas acima de quarenta anos, houve um aumento progressivo da m&#233;dia de idade a cada n&#237;vel de classifica&#231;&#227;o da PA, e nas faixas de hipertens&#227;o tal diferen&#231;a foi estatisticamente significante comparada aos indiv&#237;duos da faixa normal.</p>
    <p>O estilo de vida tem um papel cr&#237;tico na determina&#231;&#227;o do n&#237;vel de PA nos indiv&#237;duos e na preval&#234;ncia da hipertens&#227;o nas popula&#231;&#245;es. V&#225;rios fatores de estilo de vida parecem influenciar diretamente os n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos, tanto numa dimens&#227;o individual quanto numa populacional. Desses, os mais importantes s&#227;o gordura corporal em excesso, consumo de &#225;lcool, atividade f&#237;sica e uma variedade de componentes da dieta<sup>11</sup>.</p>
    <p>Observando a <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig01">figura 1</xref>, nota-se uma preval&#234;ncia de tabagismo pr&#243;xima aos valores encontrados por outros autores em popula&#231;&#245;es de universidades. Estudo de Ribeiro e cols.<sup>12</sup> detectou preval&#234;ncia total de fumantes de 15,5% em uma universidade de S&#227;o Paulo, enquanto Sabry e cols. encontraram uma taxa de 26,2 % no Cear&#225;<sup>13</sup>. Apesar de o tabagismo ser um fator de risco j&#225; definido para hipertens&#227;o, em nosso estudo n&#227;o houve diferen&#231;a estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos "normal" e "hipertenso", quanto a esse par&#226;metro.</p>
    <p>A elevada preval&#234;ncia de excesso de peso nessa popula&#231;&#227;o (56,8%) esteve de acordo com os preocupantes &#237;ndices apresentados na literatura. Matos e cols.<sup>14</sup> observaram uma preval&#234;ncia de 58 % de indiv&#237;duos com IMC acima de 25, e Jenei e cols.<sup>15</sup> encontraram uma taxa de 53,73%. O excesso de peso foi significativamente maior no grupo "hipertenso", sendo tal associa&#231;&#227;o encontrada por v&#225;rios autores<sup>16,17</sup>. </p>
    <p>De acordo com as diretrizes do JNC 7<sup>1</sup>, &#233; recomendado realizar-se no m&#237;nimo trinta minutos de atividade f&#237;sica na maioria dos dias da semana<sup>1</sup>. Na nossa amostra, 51,7% dos entrevistados referem realizar exerc&#237;cios f&#237;sicos, mas apenas 20,31% do total praticam atividade f&#237;sica regular. Outros autores tamb&#233;m encontraram altas preval&#234;ncias de sedentarismo em nosso meio, variando de 47% at&#233; 63% da popula&#231;&#227;o<sup>5,14</sup>.</p>
    <p>O consumo de bebidas alco&#243;licas foi referido por 53,6% da amostra de nosso estudo. Sabry e cols.<sup>13 </sup>encontraram uma preval&#234;ncia de 57,7%. N&#227;o houve avalia&#231;&#227;o quantitativa da ingest&#227;o de &#225;lcool, o que n&#227;o nos permitiu identificar aqueles com consumo excessivo. A restri&#231;&#227;o de &#225;lcool pode diminuir a press&#227;o arterial<sup>18,19 </sup>e &#233; uma modifica&#231;&#227;o do estilo de vida recomendada pelo JNC 7<sup>1</sup>. No presente trabalho, houve maiores n&#237;veis de PA entre consumidores do que nos n&#227;o-consumidores de bebidas alco&#243;licas. Tal associa&#231;&#227;o tamb&#233;m foi identificada por Okubo e cols.<sup>20</sup>.</p>
    <p>Estudos brasileiros sobre a preval&#234;ncia de hipertens&#227;o arterial e/ou fatores de risco cardiovasculares s&#227;o escassos. Al&#233;m disso, outro fator que dificulta a an&#225;lise comparativa da literatura &#233; a grande variedade metodol&#243;gica presente nesses estudos. Tendo em vista o grupo espec&#237;fico que comp&#245;e o presente estudo, surge a limita&#231;&#227;o de n&#227;o se poder generalizar seus dados e conclus&#245;es para a popula&#231;&#227;o em geral.</p>
    <p>Modifica&#231;&#245;es no estilo de vida t&#234;m o potencial de prevenir a hipertens&#227;o, s&#227;o efetivas em diminuir a PA e podem reduzir outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares a um custo pequeno e com risco m&#237;nimo<sup>11</sup>.</p>
    <p>No presente estudo, o grupo analisado apresentou elevada preval&#234;ncia de altos n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos, al&#233;m de outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares, o que sugere a necessidade da ado&#231;&#227;o de medidas educativas preventivas e terap&#234;uticas em rela&#231;&#227;o a doen&#231;as cardiovasculares nessa Universidade. &#201; fundamental que mais estudos epidemiol&#243;gicos sobre a hipertens&#227;o arterial sejam conduzidos no Brasil, visando &#224; constru&#231;&#227;o do conhecimento sobre os n&#237;veis press&#243;ricos e fatores de risco dos diversos estratos populacionais, a fim de se planejarem interven&#231;&#245;es mais eficazes.</p>
    <p>
      <fn id="end" fn-type="corresp">
        <label>
          <bold>Correspond&#234;ncia</bold>
        </label>
        <p> T&#226;nia Torres Rosa </p>
        <p> Faculdade de Medicina da UnB </p>
        <p> Campus Universit&#225;rio Darcy Ribeiro </p>
        <p> 70910-900 - Bras&#237;lia, DF </p>
        <p> E-mail: </p>
        <p>
          <email xlink:href="taniatr@unb.br">taniatr@unb.br</email>
        </p>
      </fn>
    </p>
    <p>Recebido em 13/04/04 </p>
    <p> Aceito em 01/07/05</p>
  </body>
  <back>
    <ref-list>
      <ref id="B1">
        <mixed-citation>1. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR et al.    The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,    Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension 2003; 42:1206-52.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure</article-title>
          <source>Hypertension</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>1206</fpage>
          <lpage>52</lpage>
          <volume>42</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Chobanian</surname>
              <given-names>AV</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Bakris</surname>
              <given-names>GL</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Black</surname>
              <given-names>HR</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B2">
        <mixed-citation>2. Wong ND, Thakral G, Franklin SS et al.    Preventing heart disease by controlling hypertension: Impact of hypertensive    subtype, stage, age and sex. Am Heart J 2003;145: 888-95.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Preventing heart disease by controlling hypertension: Impact of hypertensive subtype, stage, age and sex</article-title>
          <source>Am Heart J</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>888</fpage>
          <lpage>95</lpage>
          <volume>145</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Wong</surname>
              <given-names>ND</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Thakral</surname>
              <given-names>G</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Franklin</surname>
              <given-names>SS</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B3">
        <mixed-citation>3. Whelton PK, He J, Appel LJ et al. Primary    prevention of hypertension: Clinical and public health advisory from the National    High Blood Pressure Education Program. JAMA 2002; 288(15):1882-88.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Primary prevention of hypertension: Clinical and public health advisory from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program</article-title>
          <source>JAMA</source>
          <date>
            <year>2002</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>1882</fpage>
          <lpage>88</lpage>
          <issue>15</issue>
          <volume>288</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Whelton</surname>
              <given-names>PK</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>He</surname>
              <given-names>J</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Appel</surname>
              <given-names>LJ</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B4">
        <mixed-citation>4. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening    for high blood pressure: recommendations and rationale. Am Fam Physician 2003;    68(10):2019-22.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Screening for high blood pressure: recommendations and rationale</article-title>
          <source>Am Fam Physician</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>2019</fpage>
          <lpage>22</lpage>
          <issue>10</issue>
          <volume>68</volume>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B5">
        <mixed-citation>5. Duncan BB, Schmidt MI, Polanczyk CA et    al. Fatores de risco para doen&#231;as n&#227;o-transmiss&#237;veis em    &#225;rea metropolitana na regi&#227;o sul do Brasil. Preval&#234;ncia    e simultaneidade. Rev Sa&#250;de P&#250;blica 1993; 27(1):143-8.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Fatores de risco para doen&#231;as n&#227;o-transmiss&#237;veis em &#225;rea metropolitana na regi&#227;o sul do Brasil</article-title>
          <source>Preval&#234;ncia e simultaneidade. Rev Sa&#250;de P&#250;blica</source>
          <date>
            <year>1993</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>143</fpage>
          <lpage>8</lpage>
          <issue>1</issue>
          <volume>27</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Duncan</surname>
              <given-names>BB</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Schmidt</surname>
              <given-names>MI</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Polanczyk</surname>
              <given-names>CA</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B6">
        <mixed-citation>8. World Health Organization, International    Society of Hypertension Writing Group. 2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/    International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension.    J Hypertens 2003; 21:1983-92.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/ International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension</article-title>
          <source>J Hypertens</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>1983</fpage>
          <lpage>92</lpage>
          <volume>21</volume>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B7">
        <mixed-citation>9. Sociedade Brasileira de Hipertens&#227;o-    SBH, Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia- SBC, Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia-    SBN. IV Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertens&#227;o Arterial. Arq Bras Cardiol    2004; 82(supl IV):15-22.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>IV Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertens&#227;o Arterial</article-title>
          <source>Arq Bras Cardiol</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>15</fpage>
          <lpage>22</lpage>
          <issue>supl IV</issue>
          <volume>82</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Sociedade</surname>
              <given-names>Brasileira de Hipertens&#227;o- SBH</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Sociedade</surname>
              <given-names>Brasileira de Cardiologia- SBC</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Sociedade</surname>
              <given-names>Brasileira</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B8">
        <mixed-citation>10.  Jones DW, Hall JE. Seventh report of    the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment    of High Blood Pressure and evidence from new hypertension trials. Hypertension    2004; 43:1-3.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure and evidence from new hypertension trials</article-title>
          <source>Hypertension</source>
          <date>
            <year>2004</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>1</fpage>
          <lpage>3</lpage>
          <volume>43</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Jones</surname>
              <given-names>DW</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Hall</surname>
              <given-names>JE</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B9">
        <mixed-citation>11.  Beilin LJ, Puddey IB, Burke V. Lifestyle    and hypertension. Am J Hypertens 1999; 12:934-45.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Lifestyle and hypertension</article-title>
          <source>Am J Hypertens</source>
          <date>
            <year>1999</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>934</fpage>
          <lpage>45</lpage>
          <volume>12</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Beilin</surname>
              <given-names>LJ</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Puddey</surname>
              <given-names>IB</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Burke</surname>
              <given-names>V</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B10">
        <mixed-citation>12.  Ribeiro SA, Jardim JK, Laranjeira RR    et al. Preval&#234;ncia de tabagismo na Universidade Federal de S&#227;o    Paulo, 1996- dados preliminares de um programa institucional. Rev Ass M&#233;d    Brasil 1999; 45(1):39-44.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Preval&#234;ncia de tabagismo na Universidade Federal de S&#227;o Paulo, 1996- dados preliminares de um programa institucional</article-title>
          <source>Rev Ass M&#233;d Brasil</source>
          <date>
            <year>1999</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>39</fpage>
          <lpage>44</lpage>
          <issue>1</issue>
          <volume>45</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Ribeiro</surname>
              <given-names>SA</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Jardim</surname>
              <given-names>JK</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Laranjeira</surname>
              <given-names>RR</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B11">
        <mixed-citation>13.  Sabry MOD, Sampaio HA, Silva MGC. Tabagismo    e etilismo em funcion&#225;rios da Universidade Estadual do Cear&#225;.    J Pneumol 1999; 25(6):313-20.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Tabagismo e etilismo em funcion&#225;rios da Universidade Estadual do Cear&#225;</article-title>
          <source>J Pneumol</source>
          <date>
            <year>1999</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>313</fpage>
          <lpage>20</lpage>
          <issue>6</issue>
          <volume>25</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Sabry</surname>
              <given-names>MOD</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Sampaio</surname>
              <given-names>HA</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Silva</surname>
              <given-names>MGC</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B12">
        <mixed-citation>14.  Matos MFD, Silva NAS, Pimenta AJM et    al. Preval&#234;ncia dos fatores de risco para doen&#231;a cardiovascular    em funcion&#225;rios do centro de pesquisas da Petrobr&#225;s. Arq Bras    Cardiol 2004; 82(1):1-4.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Preval&#234;ncia dos fatores de risco para doen&#231;a cardiovascular em funcion&#225;rios do centro de pesquisas da Petrobr&#225;s</article-title>
          <source>Arq Bras Cardiol</source>
          <date>
            <year>2004</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>1</fpage>
          <lpage>4</lpage>
          <issue>1</issue>
          <volume>82</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Matos</surname>
              <given-names>MFD</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Silva</surname>
              <given-names>NAS</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Pimenta</surname>
              <given-names>AJM</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B13">
        <mixed-citation>15.  Jenei Z, Pall D, Katona E et al. The    epidemiology of hypertension and its associated risk factors in the city of    Debrecen, Hungary. Public Health 2002; 116(3):138-44.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>The epidemiology of hypertension and its associated risk factors in the city of Debrecen, Hungary</article-title>
          <source>Public Health</source>
          <date>
            <year>2002</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>138</fpage>
          <lpage>44</lpage>
          <issue>3</issue>
          <volume>116</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Jenei</surname>
              <given-names>Z</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Pall</surname>
              <given-names>D</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Katona</surname>
              <given-names>E</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B14">
        <mixed-citation>16.  Chor D. Hipertens&#227;o arterial entre    funcion&#225;rios de banco estatal no Rio de Janeiro. H&#225;bitos de vida    e tratamento. Arq Bras Cardiol 1998; 71(5):653-60.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>H&#225;bitos de vida e tratamento</article-title>
          <source>Arq Bras Cardiol</source>
          <date>
            <year>1998</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>653</fpage>
          <lpage>60</lpage>
          <issue>5</issue>
          <volume>71</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Chor</surname>
              <given-names>D.</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B15">
        <mixed-citation>17.  Shapo L, Pomerleau J, McKee M. Epidemiology    of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors in a country in transition:    a population based survey in Tirana City, Albania. J Epidemiol Community Health    2003; 57:734-39.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Epidemiology of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors in a country in transition: a population based survey in Tirana City, Albania</article-title>
          <source>J Epidemiol Community Health</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>734</fpage>
          <lpage>39</lpage>
          <volume>57</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Shapo</surname>
              <given-names>L</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Pomerleau</surname>
              <given-names>J</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>McKee</surname>
              <given-names>M</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B16">
        <mixed-citation>18.  Pickering TG. Lifestyle modification    and blood pressure control: is the glass half full or half empty? JAMA 2003;    289(16):2131-32.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Lifestyle modification and blood pressure control: is the glass half full or half empty?</article-title>
          <source>JAMA</source>
          <date>
            <year>2003</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>2131</fpage>
          <lpage>32</lpage>
          <issue>16</issue>
          <volume>289</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Pickering</surname>
              <given-names>TG.</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B17">
        <mixed-citation>19.  Xin X, He J, Frontini MG et al. Effects    of alcohol reduction on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled    trials. Hypertension 2001; 38(5):1112-17.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>Effects of alcohol reduction on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials</article-title>
          <source>Hypertension</source>
          <date>
            <year>2001</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>1112</fpage>
          <lpage>17</lpage>
          <issue>5</issue>
          <volume>38</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Xin</surname>
              <given-names>X</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>He</surname>
              <given-names>J</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Frontini</surname>
              <given-names>MG</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="B18">
        <mixed-citation>20.  Okubo Y, Suwazono Y, Kobayzshi E et    al. lcohol consumption and blood pressure change: 5-year follow-up study of    the association in normotensive workers. J Hum Hypertens 2001; 15(6):367-72.</mixed-citation>
        <element-citation publication-type="journal">
          <article-title>lcohol consumption and blood pressure change: 5-year follow-up study of the association in normotensive workers</article-title>
          <source>J Hum Hypertens</source>
          <date>
            <year>2001</year>
          </date>
          <fpage>367</fpage>
          <lpage>72</lpage>
          <issue>6</issue>
          <volume>15</volume>
          <person-group person-group-type="author">
            <name>
              <surname>Okubo</surname>
              <given-names>Y</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Suwazono</surname>
              <given-names>Y</given-names>
            </name>
            <name>
              <surname>Kobayzshi</surname>
              <given-names>E</given-names>
            </name>
          </person-group>
        </element-citation>
      </ref>
    </ref-list>
  </back>
  <sub-article article-type="translation" id="TRen" xml:lang="en">
    <front-stub>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Original Articles</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title xml:lang="en">Blood pressure levels and their association with cardiovascular risk factors among employees of the University of Bras&#237;lia, a Brazilian public university</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <abstract xml:lang="en">
        <p>OBJECTIVE: To verify and classify, according to the JNC 7, the blood pressure levels (BPL) of the employees of University of Brasilia, a public university in Brazil, who are older than 40 years of age, and to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Brasilia, with employees over 40 years of age. They answered a questionnaire and had their blood pressure, weight and height measured. The BPLs were classified according to the JNC 7 classification and the demographic data of the subjects in each category were analyzed. The percentage of risk factors was calculated. The statistical analysis was carried out using the ANOVA test and the chi-square test, where applicable. RESULTS: Seven hundred and four subjects participated in the study, 438 male and 266 female. The median age was 47. According to the JNC 7, 139 (19.8%) subjects were classified as normotensive; 298 (42.3%) as prehypertensive and 267 (37.9%) as hypertensive. The risk factors assessed were overweight/obesity (56.8%), smoking habit (19.5%), alcohol consumption (53.6%), sedentary lifestyle (48.4%) and hypertension (37.9%). CONCLUSION: The high frequency of elevated blood pressure levels and cardiovascular risk factors among the employees indicates the need for preventive and therapeutic measures for cardiovascular disease targeted at the university&#8217;s employees.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group xml:lang="en">
        <kwd>blood pressure</kwd>
        <kwd>cardiovascular risk factor</kwd>
        <kwd>hypertension</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </front-stub>
    <body>
      <p>
        <bold>ORIGINAL ARTICLE</bold>
      </p>
      <p>Blood pressure levels and their association with cardiovascular risk factors among employees of the university of Bras&#237;lia, a brazilian public university </p>
      <p>
        <bold>Tatiana Valverde da Concei&#231;&#227;o; Fabiano Alves Gomes; Pedro Luiz Tauil; T&#226;nia Torres Rosa</bold>
      </p>
      <p>Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Bras&#237;lia - Bras&#237;lia, DF - Brazil</p>
      <p>
        <xref ref-type="corresp" rid="end-body2">Mailing Address</xref>
      </p>
      <p>
        <bold>ABSTRACT</bold>
      </p>
      <p><bold>OBJECTIVE:</bold> To verify and classify, according to the JNC 7, the blood pressure levels (BPL) of the employees of University of Brasilia, a public university in Brazil, who are older than 40 years of age, and to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this population.</p>
      <p><bold>METHODS:</bold> A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Brasilia, with employees over 40 years of age. They answered a questionnaire and had their blood pressure, weight and height measured. The BPLs were classified according to the JNC 7 classification and the demographic data of the subjects in each category were analyzed. The percentage of risk factors was calculated. The statistical analysis was carried out using the ANOVA test and the chi-square test, where applicable.</p>
      <p><bold>RESULTS: </bold>Seven hundred and four subjects participated in the study, 438 male and 266 female. The median age was 47. According to the JNC 7, 139 (19.8%) subjects were classified as normotensive; 298 (42.3%) as prehypertensive and 267 (37.9%) as hypertensive. The risk factors assessed were overweight/obesity (56.8%), smoking habit (19.5%), alcohol consumption (53.6%), sedentary lifestyle (48.4%) and hypertension (37.9%).</p>
      <p><bold>CONCLUSION:</bold> The high frequency of elevated blood pressure levels and cardiovascular risk factors among the employees indicates the need for preventive and therapeutic measures for cardiovascular disease targeted at the university&#146;s employees.</p>
      <p><bold>Key words:</bold> blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factor, hypertension</p>
      <p>Hypertension has been recognized as the major risk factor for early morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiologic studies indicate that elevated blood pressure levels (BPLs) increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery diseases, congestive heart failure and chronic renal failure<sup>1,2</sup>.</p>
      <p>One of the challenges in the prevention and treatment of hypertension is to increase its detection, which starts with the adequate measuring of the blood pressure. Screening for elevated blood pressure levels is a procedure that has to be carried out by a health practitioner as a preventive measure, as part of the routine medical examination. This simple procedure can detect asymptomatic individuals with elevated blood pressure, thus allowing early treatment with medication and/or based on lifestyle changes<sup>3</sup>.</p>
      <p>Campaigns to prevent and fight hypertension provide another good opportunity to screen asymptomatic individuals with elevated blood pressure levels<sup>4</sup>.</p>
      <p>In Brazil, there are only regional studies on the epidemiology of hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors, which makes it difficult to establish the prevalence and the size of the problem in Brazil, restricting it to estimates. </p>
      <p>In 2002, the University of Bras&#237;lia (UnB) carried out the campaign "UnB &#150; 40 years with health" on the occasion of the university&#146;s 40th anniversary. Among other objectives, the campaign aimed at improving the quality of life in the campus. It was targeted at employees over 40 years of age and was designed to identify cardiovascular risk factors present in such population.</p>
      <p>The objective of this paper was to identify and classify blood pressure levels of UnB&#146;s employees over 40 years of age, and to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors present in such population. </p>
      <p>
        <bold>METHODS</bold>
      </p>
      <p>During the second semester of 2002, on the occasion of the the 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the University of Brasilia, the Deanship of Community Affairs (DAC) presented a project, approved by the higher echelons of the university, to identify the health status of the employees over 40 years of age. All of UnB&#146;s sectors and units were consulted through an internal memorandum as to their interest in and agreement to participating in the campaign. No one declined. </p>
      <p>The participants were also informed that the data obtained in the survey would be analyzed and processed to allow the workplace to be adapted to the employees, and to promote educational activities to improve their quality of life. </p>
      <p>Part of these data have been used to carry out this research, by means of a cross-sectional study. The Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects of the Medical College analyzed and approved the conduction of this study, provided the DAC authorized it too. This authorization was obtained by means of a document signed by the dean in charge, who was also the coordinator of the overall project.</p>
      <p>The collection of data was carried out by undergraduate students of health-related courses, who were trained to act as monitors during the interview and to measure the blood pressure, weight and height of the subjects following standardized procedures. The academic units were visited, and those employees over 40 years of age were assessed.</p>
      <p>The tool used in the interview was a questionnaire that was filled out by the monitors, with questions on health habits such as physical activity habits, smoking and alcohol consumption. In addition to the questionnaire, the subject&#146;s blood pressure, weight and height were measured at the end of each interview. To measure the blood pressure, the monitors used stethoscopes and aneroid sphygmomanometers, all duly calibrated. The blood pressure was measured in one of the arms. The blood pressure (BP) was classified according to the JNC 7 classification<sup>1</sup> that includes four levels, in mmHg: normal (systolic BP&lt;120 and diastolic BP &lt;80); prehypertension (systolic BP between 120-139 or diastolic BP between 80-89); stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP between 140-159 or diastolic BP between 90-99) and stage 2 hypertension (systolic BP<underline>&gt;</underline>160 or diastolic BP<underline>&gt;</underline>100)<sup>1</sup>.</p>
      <p>The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the following formula: BMI = [weight (kg)]/[height (m)]<sup>2</sup>. Regular physical activity was defined as the practice of physical exercise at least four days a week, for at least thirty minutes per day. Those subjects who denied the practice of any kind of physical exercise were considered sedentary. Those subjects who declared to be smokers at the moment of the interview were considered smokers, regardless of the number of cigarettes smoked. Those subjects who admitted to consuming alcohol were considered consumers of alcoholic beverages, regardless of the type and quantity of beverage consumed, or frequency of consumption.</p>
      <p>The statistical analysis was carried out by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests to analyze medians and chi-square tests to analyze ratios where applicable. </p>
      <p>
        <bold>RESULTS</bold>
      </p>
      <p>
        <bold>General data</bold>
      </p>
      <p>We assessed 704 employees of the university, of which 438 (62.2%) male and 266 (37.8%) female, with a mean age of 48.5 &#177; 6.1 and a median of 47 years, ranging from 40 to 72 years of age. Of these, 91 (12.9%) were faculty members and 613 (87.1%) were technical and administrative staff. </p>
      <p>
        <bold>Classification of blood pressure</bold>
      </p>
      <p><xref ref-type="table" rid="tab01-body2">Table I</xref> presents the distribution of the subjects according to the classification of their blood pressure levels. Among the subjects, 139 (87 female) presented blood pressure levels within the normal range, amounting to 19.8% of the total. </p>
      <table-wrap id="tab01-body2">
        <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gt01-en.jpg"/></table-wrap>
      <p>Blood pressure levels within the prehypertension range were found in 298 (42.3%) of the subjects. In the stage 1 hypertension category, 170 (24.1%) subjects were included. The smaller portion of the sample studied, 97 subjects (13.8%), had blood pressure levels classified as stage 2 hypertension. The total number of hypertensive subjects was 267, that is 37.9% of the participants.</p>
      <p>The male gender was associated with a higher prevalence in the prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension ranges as compared to the normal range (<xref ref-type="table" rid="tab01-body2">table I</xref>).</p>
      <p>
        <bold>Variables studied</bold>
      </p>
      <p><xref ref-type="table" rid="tab02-body2">Table II</xref> presents a summary of the data related to the variables studied, according to the gender and to the blood pressure classification. </p>
      <table-wrap id="tab02-body2">
        <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gt02-en.jpg"/></table-wrap>
      <p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig01-body2">Figure 1</xref> shows the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors identified in the study. A BMI &gt; 25, corresponding to overweight and obese subjects, was found in 400 (56.8%) subjects, and stood out as the most prevalent risk factor. There was a total of 137 (19.5%) smokers. The practice of physical exercise was mentioned by 364 subjects, in that 143 subjects were engaged in regular physical activities lasting at least thirty minutes, at least four days a week, amounting to 20.31% of the total number of participants. Sedentary lifestyle was present in 48.3% of the sample (340 subjects). Of the total number of subjects, 377 (53.6%) declared they consumed alcoholic beverages, of which 6% consume such beverages on a daily basis, 50% on a weekly basis, 10.8% on a monthly basis and 33.2% rarely consume them.</p>
      <fig id="fig01-body2">
        <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gf01-en.jpg"/></fig>
      <p>The association between the blood pressure classification and cardiovascular risk factors is represented on <xref ref-type="table" rid="tab03-body2">table III</xref>, by using odds ratios (OR) adjusted for gender. A BMI &gt; 25 and alcohol consumption were strongly associated to the highest blood pressure levels, in both genders. There was no correlation between increased blood pressure levels and the prevalence of smoking habit and sedentary lifestyle. </p>
      <table-wrap id="tab03-body2">
        <graphic xlink:href="1678-4170-abc-86-01-0026-00005-gt03-en.jpg"/></table-wrap>
      <p>
        <bold>DISCUSSION</bold>
      </p>
      <p>It is estimated that there are approximately one billion hypertensive individuals worldwide, and that in the United States hypertension affects fifty million people<sup>1</sup>. In Brazil, there are no consistent data on the prevalence of hypertension which is estimated between 15% and 47.8% for men and 15% and 41.1% for women<sup>5-7 </sup>was chosen. This study revealed blood pressure values associated with hypertension in 37.9% of the individuals assessed with a prevalence of 45.9% among male subjects, and 24.8% among female subjects.</p>
      <p>The lowest frequency range for hypertension was above the range reported in the Brazilian literature, which is certainly due firstly to the higher mean age of the population studied relative to other population studies, and secondly because these data result from a screening campaign, able to detect only the instantaneous blood pressure value.</p>
      <p>The blood pressure values can be classified according to several guidelines published by Brazilian and international organizations engaged in the study of hypertension. At present, the two classifications most widely used are the ones provided by the JNC 7<sup>1</sup> and by the WHO/ISH (World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension)<sup>8</sup>. The Brazilian guidelines on hypertension<sup>9</sup> follow basically the ISH&#146;s recommendations.</p>
      <p>UnB&#146;s Nephrology Group, registered at CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), that has provided advice to this subproject, has been following the JNC guidelines since its 4<sup>th</sup> version; for this reason, the same reference was maintained. </p>
      <p>The latest edition of JNC 7<sup>1</sup> features significant changes relative to the previous version, of which the classification of the blood pressure in people over 18 years of age stands out. The blood pressure levels were divided into four categories: normal, prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension<sup>1</sup>.</p>
      <p>The new "prehypertension" classification may be understood as a warning to physicians and patients as to the meaning of blood pressure levels included within this range<sup>10</sup>. Lifestyle changes are recommended for these levels of blood pressure upwards from the JNC 7<sup>1</sup>, as it was verified that cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with blood pressure levels start at these levels and even at lower levels<sup>1</sup>. In our sample, a large number of subjects (42.3%) presented blood pressure levels within the prehypertension range, which attests to the importance of providing guidance on healthy life habits for this population.</p>
      <p>The prevalence of hypertension increases with age, and is estimated at 50% of the individuals over sixty years of age<sup>3</sup>; the lifetime risk of becoming hypertensive also increases with age, and reaches 90% in individuals who are normotensive at 55 years of age<sup>1</sup>. In our study, conducted with subjects over forty years of age, there was a progressive increase in the mean age at each blood pressure classification level; in the hypertension ranges, such difference was statistically significant as compared to subjects within the normal range.</p>
      <p>Lifestyle plays a critical role in the determination of the blood pressure level for individuals and in the prevalence of hypertension in populations. Several lifestyle-related factors seem to influence blood pressure levels in a direct manner, for individuals and populations alike. The most important of them are excess body fat, alcohol consumption, physical activity and a variety of diet elements<sup>11</sup>.</p>
      <p>Observing <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig01-body2">figure 1</xref>, we see that the prevalence of smoking nears the values found by other authors in populations of universities. A study by Ribeiro et al<sup>12</sup> detected a total prevalence of smokers of 15.5% in a university in S&#227;o Paulo, whereas Sabry et al found a 26.2 % rate in Cear&#225;<sup>13</sup>. Although smoking is an established risk factor for hypertension, in our study the difference between the "normal" group and the "hypertensive" group was not statistically significant for this parameter.</p>
      <p>The high prevalence of overweight in this population (56.8%) was congruous with the worrisome indices presented in the literature. Matos et al<sup>14</sup> observed a prevalence of 58% of individuals with BMI above 25, and Jenei et al<sup>15</sup> found a 53.73% rate. Overweight was significantly higher in the "hypertensive" group, an association found by several authors<sup>16,17</sup>. </p>
      <p>According to the JNC 7<sup>1</sup> guidelines, it is advised to do at least thirty minutes of physical exercise on most days of the week<sup>1</sup>. In our sample, 51.7% of the subjects reported doing physical exercise, but only 20.31% of the total practice physical activities on a regular basis. Other authors also found high prevalence rates of sedentary lifestyle in our midst, ranging from 47% to 63% of the population<sup>5,14</sup>.</p>
      <p>The consumption of alcoholic beverages was reported by 53.6% of the sample of our study. Sabry et al<sup>13 </sup>found a prevalence of 57.7%. There was no quantitative assessment of alcohol ingestion, and for this reason we were unable to identify subjects who consumed alcohol in excess. Alcohol restriction may decrease blood pressure<sup>18,19 </sup>and is a lifestyle change recommended by the JNC 7<sup>1</sup>. In this paper, there were higher blood pressure levels among alcohol drinkers than among non-drinkers. This association was also identified by Okubo et al<sup>20</sup>.</p>
      <p>Brazilian studies on the prevalence of hypertension and/or cardiovascular risk factors are scarce. Additionally, another factor that makes it difficult to make a comparative analysis of the literature is the wide variety of methodologies employed in these studies. Having in mind the specific group of this study, the limitation is that it is not possible to generalize its data and conclusions to the population in general. </p>
      <p>Lifestyle changes potentially prevent hypertension, are effective in decreasing blood pressure and may reduce other cardiovascular risk factors at a small cost and with minimum risks<sup>11</sup>.</p>
      <p>In this study, the group analyzed presented a high prevalence of high blood pressure, in addition to other cardiovascular risks, which suggests the need for adopting educational preventive measures and therapeutic measures relative to cardiovascular diseases in this University. It is essential to conduct further epidemiological studies on hypertension in Brazil to develop knowledge on blood pressure levels and risk factors for different population strata, to enable the planning of more effective interventions.</p>
      <p>
        <bold>REFERENCES</bold>
      </p>
      <p>1. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR et al. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension 2003; 42:1206-52.</p>
      <p>2. Wong ND, Thakral G, Franklin SS et al. Preventing heart disease by controlling hypertension: Impact of hypertensive subtype, stage, age and sex. Am Heart J 2003;145: 888-95.</p>
      <p> 3. Whelton PK, He J, Appel LJ et al. Primary prevention of hypertension: Clinical and public health advisory from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. JAMA 2002; 288(15):1882-88.</p>
      <p>4. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for high blood pressure: recommendations and rationale. Am Fam Physician 2003; 68(10):2019-22.</p>
      <p>5. Duncan BB, Schmidt MI, Polanczyk CA et al. Fatores de risco para doen&#231;as n&#227;o-transmiss&#237;veis em &#225;rea metropolitana na regi&#227;o sul do Brasil. Preval&#234;ncia e simultaneidade. Rev Sa&#250;de P&#250;blica 1993; 27(1):143-8.</p>
      <p>6. Freitas OC, Resende de Carvalho F, Marques Neves J et al. Preval&#234;ncia da hipertens&#227;o arterial sist&#234;mica na popula&#231;&#227;o urbana de Catanduva, SP. Arq Bras Cardiol 2001; 77(1):9-15.</p>
      <p> 7. Martins IS, Mauricci MF, Vel&#225;squez-Melendez G et al. Doen&#231;as cardiovasculares ateroscler&#243;ticas, dislipidemias, hipertens&#227;o, obesidade e diabetes melito em popula&#231;&#227;o da &#225;rea metropolitana da regi&#227;o Sudeste do Brasil. III- Hipertens&#227;o. Rev Sa&#250;de P&#250;blica 1997; 31(5):466-71.</p>
      <p>8. World Health Organization, International Society of Hypertension Writing Group. 2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/ International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension. J Hypertens 2003; 21:1983-92.</p>
      <p>9. Sociedade Brasileira de Hipertens&#227;o- SBH, Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia- SBC, Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia- SBN. IV Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertens&#227;o Arterial. Arq Bras Cardiol 2004; 82(supl IV):15-22.</p>
      <p> 10. Jones DW, Hall JE. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure and evidence from new hypertension trials. Hypertension 2004; 43:1-3.</p>
      <p>11. Beilin LJ, Puddey IB, Burke V. Lifestyle and hypertension. Am J Hypertens 1999; 12:934-45.</p>
      <p>12. Ribeiro SA, Jardim JK, Laranjeira RR et al. Preval&#234;ncia de tabagismo na Universidade Federal de S&#227;o Paulo, 1996- dados preliminares de um programa institucional. Rev Ass M&#233;d Brasil 1999; 45(1):39-44.</p>
      <p>13. Sabry MOD, Sampaio HA, Silva MGC. Tabagismo e etilismo em funcion&#225;rios da Universidade Estadual do Cear&#225;. J Pneumol 1999; 25(6):313-20.</p>
      <p>14. Matos MFD, Silva NAS, Pimenta AJM et al. Preval&#234;ncia dos fatores de risco para doen&#231;a cardiovascular em funcion&#225;rios do centro de pesquisas da Petrobr&#225;s. Arq Bras Cardiol 2004; 82(1):1-4.</p>
      <p> 15. Jenei Z, Pall D, Katona E et al. The epidemiology of hypertension and its associated risk factors in the city of Debrecen, Hungary. Public Health 2002; 116(3):138-44.</p>
      <p>16. Chor D. Hipertens&#227;o arterial entre funcion&#225;rios de banco estatal no Rio de Janeiro. H&#225;bitos de vida e tratamento. Arq Bras Cardiol 1998; 71(5):653-60.</p>
      <p>17. Shapo L, Pomerleau J, McKee M. Epidemiology of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors in a country in transition: a population based survey in Tirana City, Albania. J Epidemiol Community Health 2003; 57:734-39.</p>
      <p>18. Pickering TG. Lifestyle modification and blood pressure control: is the glass half full or half empty? JAMA 2003; 289(16):2131-32.</p>
      <p>19. Xin X, He J, Frontini MG et al. Effects of alcohol reduction on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Hypertension 2001; 38(5):1112-17.</p>
      <p> 20. Okubo Y, Suwazono Y, Kobayzshi E et al. Alcohol consumption and blood pressure change: 5-year follow-up study of the association in normotensive workers. J Hum Hypertens 2001; 15(6):367-72.</p>
      <p>
        <fn id="end-body2" fn-type="corresp">
          <label>
            <bold>Mailing Address</bold>
          </label>
          <p> T&#226;nia Torres Rosa</p>
          <p> Faculdade de Medicina da UnB</p>
          <p> Campus Universit&#225;rio Darcy Ribeiro</p>
          <p> 70910-900 - Bras&#237;lia, DF - Brazil</p>
          <p> E-mail: </p>
          <p>
            <email xlink:href="taniatr@unb.br">taniatr@unb.br</email>
          </p>
        </fn>
      </p>
      <p> Received on 04/13/04</p>
      <p> Accepted on 07/01/05</p>
    </body>
  </sub-article>
</article>
