Relationship between level of education and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors in patients selected in cardiology clinics Rogério Martins Ruiz, Ivo Marcondes, José Eduardo Gregório Rodrigues, Henrique Fortunato Dominguez Pita, Neyma Andria Ramos, Vanessa Maria Caetano Soares, Hermes Toros Xavier

Abstract

In Brazil and in many other countries around the world, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death, determining an increase in morbidity and disability adjusted for years of life. Most studies associate a lower level of education with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular RF (CVRF). In this study, the distribution of CVRF and its association with the level of education was investigated in a sample of 2,475 patients selected in 18 cardiology clinical offices in the city of São Paulo. The results indicate that CVDs were significantly higher in patients with low education (elementary education level), than patients with Higher Education (University level). It should be noted that among individuals with a higher level of education, the prevalence of arterial hypertension, type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, dyslipidemia and sedentary lifestyle were significantly lower. These data highlight the unequivocal fact that low education is associated with an increased risk of CVD and mortality.