Prevalence of risk factors for acute coronary syndrome in patients treated in an emergency service

Our purpose is to characterize the profile of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) assisted in an emergency service in Porto Alegre. The characterization of the profiles focus on risk factors. This prevalence study was carried out from August, 2007 to February 2008. To collect the data, we developed a questionnaire, checked bedside assessment and measured anthropometric evaluation. 152 patients had their ACS evaluated, of which 63.8% were males, with an average age of 61 +/- 10.26 years. 50.7% had acute myocardial infarction non-ST elevation, 14.5% acute myocardial infarction with-ST elevation, and 34.9% unstable Angina. Risk factors were sedentariness (86.8%); overweightness and obesity (77%); systemic arterial hypertension (75.7%); family history (56.6%); stress (52.6%); dyslipidemia (44.7%); diabetes mellitus (40.1%); tobacco smoking (39.5%); and alcohol consumption (14.4%). A high prevalence of risk factors for ACS was verified, indicating a necessity of health education programs to reduce morbimortality.