Assessment of 5-year risk of cardiovascular events among adults residing in an urban underprivileged area of Bangalore city: A community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of premature morbidity and mortality in India and is undergoing an epidemiological transition, now affecting the urban poor. It is important to assess patients for CVD risk and mitigate risk factors as a primary mode of prevention of CVD accordingly. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the 5-year risk of cardiovascular events and the prevalence of CVD risk factors in an underprivileged area of Bangalore City. Methods: Community-based house-to-house survey of all adults aged 30 years and above, using an interview schedule on Epicollect mobile application, capturing sociodemographic details and CVD risk factors based on the INTERHEART risk assessment which included dietary risk factors, smoking and alcohol, physical activity, and central obesity. Blood pressure, random blood sugar, height, weight, and waist circumference measurement were done. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey CVD risk assessment charts were used to calculate the 5-year risk of a cardiovascular event. Results: Of 1184 study participants, 23% had moderate risk (10%–20%) and 30% had high risk (>20%) of a cardiovascular event in the next 5 years. Factors such as being not currently married, belonging to a religious minority, lower education, not being gainfully employed, belonging to a joint family, and salty food consumption were significantly associated with higher CVD risk. Conclusion: Urban underprivileged areas with undermined social determinants of health have significantly high burden of CVD risk and hence require a holistic approach to CVD risk assessment and noncommunicable diseases care starting with easy to use CVD risk assessment charts by community level health workers. Cardiovascular diseases risk assessment, diabetes, hypertension, noncommunicable diseases, urban health