Prevalence of Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Population of Rural Locality of Levanjska Varoš

Introduction: The etiology of cardiovascular diseases accounts for a significant portion of global morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the importance of prevention. Preventing cardiovascular diseases involves estimating the prevalence and modifying modifiable factors that contribute to their development. The modifiable factors are diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, tobacco smoking, alcoholism, physical inactivity, inadequate diet, obesity, and low educational attainment. Therefore, this study aims to examine the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among residents of the rural locality of LevanjskaVaroš. Participants and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January and February 2022 through a questionnaire involving 124 participants. The participants engaged in the study are residents of LevanjskaVaroš. The study used a questionnaire designed specifically for it with questions about participants’ general characteristics (age, gender) and specific questions about the prevalence of modifiable risk factors, family history, and participant’s health behaviors (physical activity, weight status) and habits (dietary habits, alcohol, and tobacco consumption). Results: A significant portion of the participants has a positive family history (N = 75, 60.5%), with 30 participants suffering from diabetes mellitus, 63 participants reporting diagnosed dyslipidemia, and 82 participants reporting arterial hypertension. The highest level of therapeutic adherence was observed in participants with diabetes (N=28, 93.3%). A significant number of participants do not consume the recommended number of daily meals (N=89), and 55 participants are categorized as obese based on their body mass index values. A significant number of participants, 74 (59.7%), engage in moderate physical activity lasting 30 to 60 minutes daily, and a substantial number of participants (N=76, 61.3%) report that they do not consume tobacco products. Also, a significant number of participants report that they do not drink alcohol above recommended levels (N=80, 64.5%). Conclusion: The assessment of cardiovascular health among residents of Levanjska Varoš has revealed a high prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The study emphasizes the importance of conducting a more thorough assessment and examination of the causal link of the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk, with a recommendation to incorporate the factor of educational attainment to develop effective public health strategies.