Risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in a worker population in Isfahan province (Isfahan Electricity Production and Distribution Company)

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known as a health threat worldwide. In Iran, similar to other countries, CVD is the first leading cause of death. Higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factor leads to the higher prevalence of CVD. Previous studies revealed that CVD prevention depends on healthy lifestyle and people’s behavior. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among occupational population of the Isfahan Electricity Production and Distribution Company and to plan a strategy for CVD prevention in this population.    METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all ۵۸۵ occupational populations of Isfahan Electricity Production and Distribution Company in ۱۹۹۹. Data collection was based on questionnaire including demographic characteristics, medical history, and physical examination. Information on sex, age, education, occupation, marital status, smoking, physical activity, and sleeping hours were obtained as demographic characteristics, CVD risk factor and non-communicable disease history as medical history. Height, weight, waist circumstance, hip circumstance, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride (TG) were tested for each person.    RESULTS: Finding of this study showed that out of total population, ۴.۲% had high FBS, ۳۳.۳% high LDL-C, ۴۸.۲% high total cholesterol, ۲۶.۴% low HDL-C, and ۵۱% had high TG. Obesity was seen in ۱۳.۶%, overweight in ۴۶.۷%, abdominal obesity in ۴۲.۸%, and sedentary lifestyle in ۷۵%. In addition, ۱۶.۴% were current smoker and ۵.۸% of them were ex-smoker. Furthermore, those with hypertension and diabetes were ۱۶% and ۷.۲%, respectively.    CONCLUSION: Considering high prevalence of CVD risk factors in occupational population of Isfahan Electricity Production and Distribution Company, recognition of CVD risk factors could provide ground for interventional programs to prevent CVD in this company and maybe in other similar companies.       Keywords: Cardiovascular Diseases, Risk Factor, Electricity Production and Distribution Company, Prevention and Control.