Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors amongst Middle-Aged Adults Attending Outpatient Clinic of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart failure and kidney disease, have been common in sub-Saharan Africa for many years. These cardiovascular diseases have been linked to several risk factors which are classified as modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. This study assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors amongst middle-aged adults attending the outpatient clinic of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 206 middle-aged adults attending the outpatient clinic was carried out over 4 months. The respondents were selected through systematic sampling. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for service solution (SPSS) version 23. Results: The respondents were aged 40-64 years, with a mean age of 51.47±7.83. There was a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk profiles among middle-aged adults with the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and hypertension being 73.3% and 46.1% respectively. Conclusion: This study shows the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged adults. Family physicians should therefore actively seek to screen their patients for cardiovascular risks while also engaging in the education of patients on positively modifying the modifiable risk factors.