Assessment of cardiovascular risk and social framework of Cape Verdean university students studying in Portugal

Introduction: The migration of African populations to Europe poses problems of adaptation that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. We assessed the cardiovascular risk of Cape Verdean university students studying in Portugal (CV-PT) compared to Cape Verdean university students in Cape Verde (CV-CV) and to Caucasian university students in Portugal (PT-PT). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed comparing three university populations, 54-62% female, aged 19-28 years: CV-PT (n=104), CV-CV (n=100) and PT-PT (n=100). Anthropometric data, blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), albuminuria and estimated 24-h urinary sodium excretion (UNa+) using the Kawasaki formula were measured. Results: The CV-PT group had higher body mass index and sodium intake (UNa+: CV-PT 235±91, CV-CV 197±85, PT-PT 194±90 mmol/24 h; p