Assessment of cardiovascular disease risk by the Rama-EGAT heart score in staff of Songkhla hospital

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Thais at present. Existing evidences indicated that changes in life style and behavior in the globalization era are the important and critical key factors for the intervention and control of this public health problem. The purpose of this study was therefore to survey the cardiovascular risk factors and risk assessment in the staff of Songkla hospital using Rama-EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) heart scores. All data for CVD risk assessment were collected from the record of annual health check-up of the staff with 35-54 years of age during 2010-2012. The results showed that low levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), high waist circumference and hypercholesterolemia were the most significant risk factors. In addition, the proportion of the staff with hypercholesterolemia showed no significant changes during the three years whereas those with high waist circumference showed decreasing tendency during 2012 and 2011 compared to 2010. However, the vice versa figure was demonstrated in the staff with low HDL-C. As expected, most staff showed low 10 year CVD risk (10 year CVD risk < 1%) according to the Rama-EGAT heart score and the number of males were higher than females in intermediate CVD risk (10-year CVD risk > 2-14%). Potential risk groups with intermediate risk > 20% were identified in males with 35-39 years old and in females with 45-49 years respectively. Interestingly, hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C were the critical risk factors for intermediate 10- year CVD risk in this population. In conclusion, although low 10-year CVD risk was demonstrated, young age as well as hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C are the priority targets for intervention in order to decrease risk of CVD in this study population.