Lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin-American cardiologists. PREDICA survey

Introduction and objectives To describe the cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle and cardiovascular treatment adherence of cardiologists in Latin America, Portugal, and Spain. Methods Seventeen Scientific Societies of Cardiology from Latin America, Portugal, and Spain were invited to participate. Each member was sent by email a link to an electronic questionnaire to be answered anonymously. The survey was divided into 4 sections: general characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, nutritional survey based on Mediterranean diet recommendations and breakfast habits, and physical activity. Results A total of 1470 physicians (median age 49 years; IQR, 38.0–60.0 years; 61.4% women; 95% cardiologists) completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was low: hypertension (23.5%), hyperlipidemia (25.1%), diabetes (6.7%), and active smokers (5.5%). Median body mass index was 24.7kg/m2 (IQR, 22.5–27.1kg/m2). Previous heart disease was low (7.3%). The PREDIMED score showed a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet 7.0 (IQR, 5.0–9.0). Physical activity analysis showed moderate activity. Conclusions Despite the heterogeneity of the sample and the limited rate of responses, this study provides the first data regarding cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle, and cardiovascular treatment adherence of cardiologists in Latin America, Portugal, and Spain. Cardiologists are relatively aware of the importance of controlling cardiovascular risk factors although there is much room for improvement.