Authors: Lucia Maria Lotrean1, Daniel Ursu2, Mira Florea3, Codruța Lencu4
Affiliation
1Department of Hygiene, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2Graduating student, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3Department of Family Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
4Department of Endocrinology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
Background. Assessment of opinions and behaviors related to cardio-vascular diseases (CVD) prevention is needed in order to develop appropriate interventions for CVD prophylaxis. Aims. The study aims to assess the opinions and behaviors related to a healthy lifestyle and CVD prevention among
Romanian adults who have relatives with cardiovascular diseases.
Methods. The study was performed in 2 hospital settings from Cluj-Napoca, Romania and involved 180 adults (90 men and 90 women) who had relatives with diagnoses of CVD. Data were collected through anonymous questionnaires, and height and weight were measured.
Results. The results show that a percentage of 58.3% of the adults had a body mass index higher than 24.9 and one quarter of the subjects declared that they do not perform at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. With respect to alimentary habits, 78.3% of the study sample declared eating less than 3 portions of fruits and vegetables/day, while only 8.3% fulfilled the recommendations to eat at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Nevertheless, 46.1% intend to eat more fruits and vegetables in the next month. 26.1% of the subjects were smokers (smoked in the last week), while 31.9% of the smokers declared that they would like to quit smoking in the next 6 months. The majority of the participants declared that they would like to receive more information and education regarding healthy lifestyle promotion and CVD prevention.
Conclusions. The results underline the need for appropriate screening, assessment, education and counseling of adults which have CVD patients in their family in order to detect and correct CVD risk factors.
Keywords: healthy lifestyle; cardiovascular disease prevention; adults having relatives with cardiovascular disease.
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