Analysis of cardiovascular risks in practitioners of unsupervised exercises

Análise dos riscos cardiovasculares em indivíduos praticantes de exercício físico não supervisionado

Abstracts

Introduction

Physical exercise is recommended by health professionals for the prevention of cardiovascular events; for it is important that practitioners follow recommendations of qualified professionals.

Objectives

To analyze the cardiovascular risks and the physical exercise of regulars of a municipal public park.

Materials and methods

110 regulars of a municipal public park were evaluated by questionnaire and physical examination, 60 men and 50 women with a mean age of 48.8 ± 11.76 years. Cardiovascular risk was classified according to the American Table and physical activity following the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association.

Results

Regarding the classification of cardiovascular risk, 54% of the studied population presented potential risk and 31% moderate. As for physical exercise, 58% were considered inactive, 14% active and 28% were very active. 90% received no professional guidelines.

Conclusion

The public park goers have cardiovascular risk and do exercise without individualized guidance.

Risk factors; Cardiovascular diseases; Physical activity; Walking

Introdução

A prática de exercícios físicos é preconizada pelos profissionais da saúde para a prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares; para tal é importante que os praticantes sigam recomendações de profissionais qualificados.

Objetivos

Analisar os riscos cardiovasculares e a prática do exercício físico dos frequentadores de um parque público municipal.

Materiais e métodos

Foram avaliados por meio de questionário e exame físico, 110 frequentadores de um parque público municipal, sendo 60 homens e 50 mulheres com idade média de 48,8 ± 11,76 anos. O risco cardiovascular foi classificado de acordo com a Tabela Americana e a atividade física seguindo as recomendações da American College of Sports Medicine e da American Heart Association.

Resultados

Quanto à classificação do risco cardiovascular, 54% da população avaliada apresentou risco potencial e 31%, moderado. Quanto ao exercício físico praticado 58% foram considerados inativos, 14% ativos e 28% muito ativos. 90% não receberam orientações profissionais.

Conclusão

Os frequentadores do parque público apresentam risco cardiovascular e praticam exercício físico sem orientações individualizadas.

Fatores de risco; Doenças cardiovasculares; Atividade física; Caminhada

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), in particular its presentation as coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide (¹,²) with greater involvement in underdeveloped countries which amounted to approximately 80% of deaths reported in world population (²).

The Framingham study was among the first to demonstrate that: hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol levels, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity and smoking are risk factors strongly related to the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(³) . This relationship was confirmed by other studies, which added: psychosocial indicator, diet, regular alcohol consumption (²), in addition to genetic predisposition (⁴).

The increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is associated with an increase in sedentary lifestyle (⁵), since the technological and economic incentives tend to discourage physical activity (⁶). In contrast, physical activity prevents and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events on 30–50%, it increases serum levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDLc) and triglycerides, reduces blood pressure, improves blood glucose, insulin resistance, helps in weight loss or maintaining, improves psychological welfare, facilitates smoking cessation, reduces symptoms and mortality after acute myocardial infarction in cardiac patients (⁷), in addition to reducing the formation and development of atherosclerosis and the incidence of CAD (⁸). Thus, it promotes and maintains health, reduces the risk of chronic diseases and premature mortality (⁶). As a result, physical exercise is widely recommended by health professionals (⁸).

In contrast, vigorous exercise can, acute and transiently increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sudden death in susceptible individuals. The absolute risk of physical activity related to acute cardiovascular events varies with the prevalence of diagnosis or hidden heart disease and inadequate physical exercise (⁸), because the risk of AMI in sedentary individuals is six times higher during intense exercise than in that the rest (⁹).

Thus, especially in people who already have cardiovascular risk, physical exercise should follow recommendations regarding the intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity (¹⁰). Population must be informed and made aware of these variables from the practice of regular exercise, like, care about clothing, food, medication and time in order to ensure safe execution so that its benefits are achieved.

Currently it is noticed great encouragement by the media, health professionals and local government actions that provide places for practicing physical activity and guidance to maintain an active life. Thus, the population is driven, in most cases, to perform exercises before being subjected to a prior cardiovascular evaluation and specific orientation of health professionals.

Thus, these individuals who practice the exercise improperly become more prone to sudden events by increasing their cardiovascular risk (⁸). Thus, it is essential to do cardiovascular assessment of individuals who attend public squares, to conduct walking and jogging, as well as physical exercise. These actions may generate subsidies to public health services in order to suggest intervention measures to correct the deficiencies found and disseminate the use of this practice optimally and safely, within promotion and health prevention actions, to ensure greater gains, minimizing and slowing the risks related to it.

Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the cardiovascular risk, namely smoking, alcoholism, high blood pressure, heredity, sedentary lifestyle, stress, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and physical exercise of the regulars of a municipal public park.

Materials and methods

Type of research and ethical aspects

This quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study followed ethical procedures required by Resolution 466/2012 of the National Health Council, with the approval of the Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro Research Ethics Committee, under number 1666/2010. All subjects read and signed the informed consent form.

Sample

110 individuals, 60 men (55%) and 50 women (45%) aged between 30–77 years old, with a mean age of 48.8 ± 11.76 years old, regulars of a municipal public park were evaluated. This park offers a hiking/race trail, sports fields, skate park and outdoor gym.

Procedures

Initially, individuals were contacted inside the park, at a time when they were performing the exercise, and the research objectives were explained. For those who expressed interest in participating, day and time were scheduled, according to their availability, to perform the evaluations at the same park. They were told to attend fasting for 12 hours and cardiac patients should bring ergometric test.

All evaluations were conducted by physiotherapy instructors and physiotherapy students previously trained through a structured evaluation form based on American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) (¹¹) and physical examination. The evaluation form contained identification, followed by a questionnaire on lifestyle habits, cardiovascular risk factors, previous and family diseases and physical activity.

Issues related to physical activity included questions about the presence of cardiovascular symptoms, purpose, type of sport, frequency, duration, orientation existence and evaluation of exercise intensity. Regarding the frequency, duration and intensity of exercise, the subjects were classified according to parameters established by Haskell et al. (⁶) in inactive, active and very active, according to the recommendations of the ACSM and AHA. This classification characterizes individuals who exercise lasting less than 150 minutes per week in mild to moderate intensity, as inactive; those who practice exercise at moderate intensity for 150 to 300 minutes per week or vigorous intensity 75 to 150 minutes per week as active; and people who exercise for more than 300 minutes a week at moderate intensity or more than 150 minutes in vigorous intensity as very active.

Physical examination consisted of anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and heart rate (HR) at rest measurement, analysis of total cholesterol (TC) and the glycemic index.

Anthropometric measures were taken by the stature and body mass. To measure the height, a stadiometer was used. The subject was instructed to stand upright with head, buttocks and heels and lined up against the stadiometer with the head in the horizontal plane.

For the measurement of body mass, a digital scale (Filizola^®), with a 50 kg capacity and 50g sensitivity was used, in which the individual was instructed to stand barefoot, wearing light clothing.

Then the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. For classification of nutritional status it was considered as overweight BMI between 25 to 29.9 Kg/m²; obese: BMI greater than or equal to 30Kg/m², normal: BMI between 18.5 to 24.9 Kg/m² and underweight BMI less than 18.4Kg/m² (¹²).

Circumferences of waist and hip were measured with an inelastic tape. The waist/hip ratio (WHR) was determined by dividing the waist circumference (measured at the umbilicus) by hip circumference (level of the femoral trochanters). It was considered that rate higher than 0.8 in women and higher than 0.9 in men are correlated with greater visceral fat distribution, rather than peripheral, ie, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (¹³).

Blood pressure was measured with an aneroid sphygmomanometer (G-Tech^®), only once, after 15 minutes of rest, following the guidelines and classification of the VI Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension (¹⁴).

The assessment regarding the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was performed through the use of hypoglycemic drugs and the analysis of the glycemic index, using a portable blood glucose monitoring equipment (Accucheck Performa Glucometer of Roche^®), considered as normal random blood glucose greater than 200 mg/dL (¹⁵).

Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) were recorded by means of a portable biochemical analyzer (Accutrend Plus of Roche^®), in which the measuring principle is based on reflectance photometry method. It was considered a normal standard TC smaller or equal to 200 mg/d (¹⁶).

Based on the data collected, the cardiovascular risk of each participant was classified according to the American Table in: no risk, potential risk, moderate risk and high risk (¹⁷).

Based on the data from the questionnaire and physical examination, individualized orientation was given, through pamphlets containing information about the necessary care when practicing physical activity. In addition, guidance was provided on methods of measurement of heart rate in determining the target training zone according to Karvonen formula (¹⁸).

Individuals with heart disease diagnosis or who were taking medications that interfere in heart rate received guidance based on exercise tests. Those who already had many risk factors or cardiovascular symptoms were instructed to seek medical attention.

Statistical analysis

Results are presented descriptively and percentages.

Results

The sample totaled 110 individuals, 50 (45%) women and 60 (55%) men, mean age 49 ± 12 years old. Among this population, 18 (16%) were cardiac patients diagnosed with Chagas disease, heart failure, valvular disease, coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, abnormal heart rhythm and circulatory; 16 (14%) reported having another type of disease and 76 (70%) said they did not have any disease.

Most subjects had more than one cardiovascular risk factor, as shown inFigure 1. With respect to body weight, 29 (26%) were obese and 51 (46%) were overweight. Thus, 80 (72.7%) were above the ideal weight range.

Figure 1
Cardiovascular risk factors

In relation to blood glucose levels, three (3%) had higher than 200 mg/dL indices. Among them, one had drug treatment for glycemic control and the other two had no diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. In the evaluation of dyslipidemia, measured by analysis of total cholesterol, 33 (30%) were detected with high values (greater than 200 mg/dL) and only 13 (39%) of these used antilipemics medications.

Based on American Table (¹⁷), the sample was rated in accordance with the risk for developing cardiovascular disease, in four groups: no risk, potential risk, moderate risk and high risk (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Cardiovascular risk rating

Moreover, of the 110 individuals evaluated, 22 (20%) reported being sedentary (not performing regular exercise); 88 (80%) physical active, all of which practiced walking and 31 (28.2%) associated walking with practices of other activities. However, in applying the classification used by Haskell et al. (⁶), it was found that 64 (58%) were inactive, whereas 22 (20%) did not engage in regular physical exercise and 42 (38.2%) performed regular walks, but did not reach this threshold to be classified as active; 15 (14%) were active and 31 (28%), very active. When considering only the 18 (16%) cardiac patients, it was observed that 56% were inactive, 22% active and 22% were very active.

When asked about the cardiovascular signs and symptoms present during walking, 18 (16%) reported dyspnea, pain and tightness in chest, tachycardia and excessive tiredness. Among them, one cardiac patient presented with pain in chest tightness and tachycardia. Most individuals 90 (82%) performed physical exercises in order to improve health conditions and 99 (90%) had no professional guidelines on how to accomplish them.

Discussion

In this study, it was noted that 16% of the study population was cardiac patients and 84% had risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Other studies point in the same direction, indicating a high incidence of this risk (¹⁹,²⁰). Mendonça et al. (⁹) when assessed cardiovascular risk in active seniors verified the presence of these factors in 70% of the population.

Among the risk factors observed stood out heredity represented by 61% of the subjects evaluated, hypertension by 29%, stress by 55% and obesity by 26%, while the last three are considered modifiable risk factors, and may be reduced through changes in lifestyle.

It is possible that the percentage of 61%, related to heredity risk factor found in this study is related to the increased incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the population since the mid-twentieth century, and that continue to prevail especially in underdeveloped countries (²). However, there is disagreement in the literature, as Oliveira et al. (¹⁹) compared the cardiovascular risk of active, insufficiently active and inactive regulars of a public park, and found only 28% of hereditary risk factor. While Coltro et al. (²¹) evaluated the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in volunteers who participated in an educational intervention for community health in the city of Botucatu (SP), noting 41% of hereditary risk factor.

Besides obesity (26%) it was observed that 46% of the volunteers were overweight and a further 73% with high waist/hip ratio, which indicates abdominal obesity.

These results corroborate the study by Matos et al. (²⁰) with employees of Petrobras, most of them sedentary individuals, and 17% of obese was found, as well as the Forjaz et al. research (²²), who evaluated the cardiovascular risk of physically active people, finding 20% of the obese population.

Further, Zhang et al. (²³) reported a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity in the last 15 years, in the American population, which is strongly associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, systemic inflammation, factors that play an essential role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and certain types of cancer.

A fact that has drawn attention, in the present study was the low prevalence of smokers (8%) and high ex-smokers (31%). The World Health Organization reports that one-third of the adult population, about 1.3 billion people, is a smoker. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health shows that 18.8% of Brazilians are smokers (²⁴). In this context, Carnelosso et al. (²⁵) found the prevalence of cardiovascular risk in the eastern region of Goiânia, and evaluated 3275 volunteers, and 16% were smokers. While Viebig et al. (²⁶) described the cardiovascular health profile of an adult population in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, where the smoking rate was 22%.

It is possible that the lower prevalence of smokers and most obese, found in this study are due to the fact that the survey had been conducted in a public park walk, which is usually frequented by people interested in improving or maintaining its health. Still, according to Mozaffarian et al. (⁷), regular physical exercise promotes smoking cessation.

Regarding blood pressure, it was found that 29% said they are hypertensive. However, 16 people who had declared normotensive presented blood pressure values of hypertension. During physical exercise, elevation of systolic blood pressure and maintaining or reducing diastolic blood pressure occurs (²⁷). Thus, people who already begin exercise with elevated blood pressure levels should be monitoring its blood pressure through supervision and proper exercise prescription, as it is well established in the literature (²⁸), hypertension is the major cause of vascular stroke, highlighting cerebrovascular accident and acute myocardial infarction.

Regarding dyslipidemia, elevated levels of TC in six volunteers (5%) who used antilipemics medicines was verified, and also elevated levels in another 27 (24%) who had no knowledge of this fact was verified, revealing that although the majority of the population (82%) practiced exercise in pursuit for better health, they did not know their real health condition in this sense.

Although 82% is exercised in pursuit for better health, 90% did not receive professional guidance on how to accomplish it. Furthermore, 16.3% had cardiovascular symptoms such as tachycardia, dyspnea disproportionate to exertion and chest pain, suggesting ischemic framework while running the exercise, and may causing an acute cardiac event (²⁹).

Finally, although 80% of the population does not considered itself sedentary, while applying the classification of Haskell et al. (⁶) based on the intensity, duration and frequency of weekly exercise performed, it was found that 58% is considered inactive. Thus, it is possible that this is not reaching the cardiovascular benefits induced by regular physical exercise (⁷), since they did not perform on the appropriate intensity, duration and frequencies (⁶). Thus demonstrating the need for better control over the practice of physical exercise through supervised practice or even inserting in cardiac rehabilitation programs, in cases of increased cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion

It is concluded that public park regulars evaluated in this study have cardiovascular risks and that physical exercises are practiced in a nonspecific manner, without previous assessments and individualized guidelines.

Thus, it is relevant to emphasize that in addition to encouraging physical exercise and providing public places to facilitate its practice, it is necessary in the field of public health, greater investment in the proper orientation to the population, carried out by qualified professionals such as physiotherapists and physical educator. This strategy involves significantly little human resources and materials, with potential to reach large segments of the population, with low cost, encouraging autonomy and safety for individuals who exercise, enabling the physical activity to achieve its goals and hence have the greatest positive impact on the population.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Oct-Dec 2014

History

• Received
  10 Nov 2013
• Accepted
  21 June 2014