Risk factors for coronary artery disease in nursing students

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify and discuss the main risk factors for coronary artery disease, observed in nursing students. Methods: an observational and cross-sectional study conducted with nursing students at a public college in Niterói, RJ. Data collection involved instruments validated for use in Brazil. PROCAM Quick Check score was used to estimate cardiovascular risk. Results: of the 110 students, 88 (80%) were female, with a mean age of 22.03±3.63 years. The most relevant cardiovascular risk factors were alcohol consumption 62 (56.4%), family history of coronary artery disease 35 (31.8%), poor eating habits (49.5%) and stress, whose domain “Professional training” received the highest mean, with 11.62 ± 3.42 points. Conclusions: the most frequent risk factors in nursing students are stress, inadequate nutrition and risky consumption of alcoholic beverages. These present a low risk for coronary artery disease through PROCAM Quick Check score.