Risk factors and complications in patients with hypertension/diabetes in a regional health district of northeast Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors and associated complications present in clients with hypertension/diabetes, enrolled in the HIPERDIA of the Executive Regional Health Department VI in Fortaleza, CE. This analytical documental study included 2,691 people. Of this total, 73.6% were women; 44.6% were between 60-79 years of age (mean age of 60.8 years); 87.4% were Caucasian, Asian or Pardo; 63.7% had eight or fewer years of education; 79.7% were non-smokers; 56.6% were considered sedentary; 59.6% were overweight/obese; and 48.4% had a family history of cardiovascular disease. An association was observed between having a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight/obese among patients with diabetes, and those with both diabetes and hypertension; family history of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension and those with both diabetes and hypertension; stroke, coronary artery disease and chronic renal failure in patients with hypertension and those with both diabetes and hypertension; and infarction and stroke in patients with diabetes. A family history of cardiovascular disease was associated with coronary artery disease and infarction. A relevant presence of risk factors and complications was found, highlighting the need for health education among clients.