Fatores de risco cardiovascular, crenças e atitudes de indivíduos com doença arterial coronária

Abstract

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD), which represents an important and increasing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is associated to the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), and its control suffers the influence of beliefs and attitudes of individuals. General objective: Evaluate the CVRF, beliefs and attitudes of individuals in relation to CAD. Specific objectives: Describe the CVRF and its degree of control and beliefs and attitudes of these individuals in relation to CAD and to the control of CVRFs. Methodology: This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive-exploratory research, conducted in a cardiology clinic of a public hospital in Salvador /BA. Data was collected from 100 adults, with CAD, of both genders. For the collection of information a specific instrument was prepared and the information obtained through interviews, clinical and laboratorial evaluations. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. The results were analyzed in absolute numbers, percentages and averages, based on the qualitative data codification technique of the Grounded Theory. Results: Predominance was of males (56%), age group of <60 years (54%), race/color Negro (84%), people with companions (52%), unoccupied (68%), low schooling (87%) and income (82%). There was a medical diagnosis of unstable angina 18% and myocardial infarction 82%, most within less than a year. The majority referred to arterial hypertension (94%), alteration of the index of fat in the blood (83%), lack of physical exercises (76%), leaving the vice of tobacco (59%) and alcohol (51%). All the women and 82% of the men presented increased abdominal circumference, 19% casual glicemy >200 mg/dL, 36% overweight, 28% obesity, 65% some stage of arterial hypertension, 65% HDL-C low, 41% non-HDL high. High levels of triglycerides in the absence of fasting in 53%. A CVRF aggregation average per participant was of 4, of beliefs in health over the cause of 1.53 and control measures of CAD of 1.45. The cause of the disease was unknown to 17% and of the control by 18%. The main causes were considered as daily stress (35%) and inadequate food and the main controls as, dieting (32%), taking medication (27%) and avoiding stress (22%). Only 22% believed that the treatment would last their whole lives, 48% believed that medication, surgery or angioplasty would cure the CAD. It was observed that the use of inadequate types of fats, reduction of salt and fat and predominance of stewed, baked or grilled food. Consumption of red meat 56%, industrialized cakes and biscuits 61%, soft drinks 80%, 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day 67% and 2 or more eggs per week 33%. Fourteen of the participants did not receive any guidance for controlling the CAD and, of those who did receive guidance, 38% informed that they did not follow the orientation. 34% did not totally fulfill the medical prescription. Deficient economic conditions were the main reason for not following through with the treatment. Conclusions: In individuals with high cardiovascular risks and low socio-economical conditions there was the presence and lack of control of various cardiovascular risks, low averages of health beliefs on causes and control measures of the CAD, misguided beliefs on cure and period of the treatment and part of which do not follow the treatment. The study offered subsidies for reflecting and proposing practices for healthcare in order to control the CAD.