Cardiovascular risk assessment in Community Pharmacies in Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

Many apparently healthy persons have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease without being aware. Assessing cardiovascular risks and initiating appropriate interventions and referrals at the community pharmacy level could be lifesaving. The objective of this study was to explore cardiovascular risk assessment on community pharmacy clientele and to determine the proportion of patients with high cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects (140) were recruited from 5 community pharmacies in Warri Metropolis. Cardiovascular risks assessment was done among subjects that met the inclusion criteria. Blood pressure, total cholesterol levels, Diabetes status, age and gender were documented in a data collection form. Risk stratification was done using World Health Organization/ International Society of Hypertension WHO/ISH risk assessment chart. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Subjects (116) who met the inclusion criteria were screened. About half (50.9%) were moderate users of alcohol. Majority (81.9%) of patients were physically active. Few subjects (2.6%) were tobacco users. Total cholesterol values and fasting blood sugar levels were abnormal for 12.9% and 4.3% of subjects respectively. The proportion of subjects with high cardiovascular risk was 6%. Cardiovascular risk assessment is feasible in community pharmacy setting. Only 6% of subjects were at high cardiovascular risk.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk assessment, Community pharmacy, WHO/ISH charts