Cardiovascular risk factors in nursing students at a university in the interior of Amazonas

Abstract

Objective: to identify cardiovascular risk factors among nursing students at a public university in the interior of Amazonas, Brazil. Method: cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach, carried out with 42 nursing students. Three instruments were applied: a questionnaire designed specifically for the study and two standardized and validated instruments, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Simplified Questionnaire to assess the consumption of foods that are markers of cardiovascular risk. Results: the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were: family history for Systemic Arterial Hypertension (61.9%) and Diabetes Mellitus (40.4%), alcohol consumption (50.0%), stress (73.8%) , overweight and obesity (38.0%), insufficient active and sedentary physical activity practice (50.0%) and consumption of foods that are markers of cardiovascular risk (high and excessive) (30.9%). Conclusion: the identification of cardiovascular risk factors in university students can guide actions aimed at promoting cardiovascular health.