Low Prevalence of Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Nigerians: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background: Ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) is a metrics for primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Its prevalence in Nigerians is not known. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed the seven American Heart Association’s ICH metrics of 889 Nigerians. The metrics included non-smoking, healthy diet, physical activity, body mass index (<25 kg/m2), untreated blood pressure <120/<80 mmHg, untreated total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, and untreated fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL). Logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (age and sex) and meeting 5–7 CVH metrics. Results: No one met all 7 of ICH metrics while 70 (7.8%) had 5-7metrics. The most prevalent and least prevalent ideal biological factors were ideal fasting plasma cholesterol (62.8%) and ideal blood pressure (31.5%) respectively. The most prevalent and least prevalent behavioural factors were ideal smoking status (86.2%) and ideal diet (6.5%) respectively. Compared to males, females had better ideal BP, p=0.005; better ideal fasting plasma glucose, p=0.031; better ideal fasting plasma cholesterol, p<0.001 and ideal smoking status, p<0.001. Ages 45 to 64 had better ideal smoking status and ideal physical activity (p<0.001 and p=0.001 respectively). Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of ICHamong Nigerians. Concerted efforts should be made to improve healthy living among Nigerians.