Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Nurses Teachers

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Brazil and worldwide, being influenced by the presence of risk factors. In the current life context, these factors are increasingly present in individuals, also related to occupation, which require extensive workload, performance, reasoning, goal plan and maximum dedication from the individual, as is the case of undergraduate teachers in Brazil.

Objective: To identify cardiovascular risk factors in teaching nurses of a private higher education institution (HEI) in Belém, PA, Brazil.

Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey study with a quantitative approach. At a private HEI in Belém-PA, in March and April 2019.

Methodology: Performed with 11 teachers nurses that the HEI had. A form was used on the teacher's profile and risk factors. Data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics through the Bioestat 5.0 program.

Results: They are young adults, married, with an extensive workload; 45.45% of them have already had alterations in the HDL and LDL levels, with a family history of Systemic Arterial Hypertension 72.73% and Diabetes Mellitus 81.82%. 45.45% use oral contraceptives. They have a low-fiber diet, rich in lipids and sodium, and practice physical activity. 72.73% consume alcoholic beverages, and none are smokers.

Conclusion: The teaching profession, due to extensive workload and stressful activities, offers a risk for inadequate nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of time for leisure. These factors are associated with other existing factors, which may increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases in these professionals.