Resumen

CROCE, N et al. Prevalencia de presión arterial elevada y otros factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en trabajadores de cafetines de la Universidad Central De Venezuela (Ciudad Universitaria). RFM [online]. 2004, vol.27, n.2, pp.142-150. ISSN 0798-0469.

We have studied a sample of 100 workers of cafeterias on the "Universidad Central de Venezuela", 62% males and 38% females, with means averages of 35 + 6 years old and 5 + 6 years working at this job, 72% were cooks, hosts & innkeepers, 28% cashiers and other administrative or management personal. Most of them completed 7^th grade or less. High blood pressure prevalence was 33% and high pulse pressure 46.7%. The age-adjusted systolic pressure mean from persons with more that 5 years in the job (135 Hg. mm) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) with respect to those with 1-5 years (118 Hg mm). The sex-adjusted high blood pressure prevalence doesn’t have a significant difference (p > 0.05) in comparison with a neighborhood’s sample with similar social level, but mean pulse pressure and high pulse pressure prevalence have significant difference (p < 0.05). A very high Pearson correlation (r = 0.84) between systolic and pulse pressures was found but there was not significant correlation between systolic and diastolic pressures. All this reveals occupational risk. Sixteen percent were found hyperglycaemic and 17% were found with high cholesterol, mean averages 90.7 hg./mm. and 157.6 mg% respectively. 33% were smokers. No association was found between high blood pressure and family history but between pulse pressure and educational rank. In according to WHO´s classification, we found 23% of our sample in serious cardiovascular disease risk, but we don´t have complete data from cholesterol. Because of this, it was not so possible to know the correlation between CVD and family history or educational rank.

Palabras clave : High blood pressure; Pulse pressure; Systolic pressure; Diastolic pressure; Cardiovascular risk; Nutritional and dietary assessment; Occupational risk; Social level; Cafeterias; Barker hypothesis.