Impact of the cardiovascular health program aimed at officials of a government entity in Costa Rica, 2014-2016

Abstract

In Costa Rica, since the 1970s, diseases of the circulatory system have been the main cause of death in the population. Objective: To determine the impact of the Cardiovascular Health Program on the workers of a Government entity in Costa Rica, 2014-2016. Methodology: Study with a descriptive quantitative approach with a sample of 121 participants (95 men and 26 women); duration of 2 years; The participants receive nutritional recommendations, health education, psychological interventions and active break programs, in addition to weight control, blood pressure, heart rate, abdominal circumference, which is recorded in the health file weekly. Results: The intervention is carried out with 107 participants, predominantly male with 81 (75.7%) people, with an average age of 44.9 ± 10.6 years. The predominant abdominal circumference range is 85 to 104.9 cm. More than 50% of the participants have a high risk of presenting some type of cardiovascular disease, due to the presence of overweight and obesity, and inadequate eating habits, as well as a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: Among the main predisposing factors of cardiovascular diseases identified in the study subjects are overweight and obesity, starting at 26 years of age, with greater emphasis between 46 and 55 years of age. Intervention with the cardiovascular health program improves general health in study participants.