Four years experience of a cardiovascular opportunistic screening and prevention programme in the primary health care in Sollentuna, Sweden

Objective - To study the feasibility of a cardiovascular prevention programme. Design - Opportunistic screening for cardiovascular risk factors. Advice and treatment to reduce identified cardiovascular risk factors. Individually designed follow-up. Setting - Primary health care in Sollentuna (51000 inhabitants), Sweden. Subjects - Visitors to health care centres. Main outcome measures - Feasibility and effectiveness to reduce identified cardiovascular risk factors. Results - During 4 years 5622 persons, of whom 4655 (83%) were in the age group 20-60 years, participated in the programme. The prevalences of risk factors as smoking, overweight, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia were high. At follow-up investigations, mean S-cholesterol levels were reduced by 7% among men and 10% among women. S-triglycerides were reduced by 24% and 42%, respectively. Diastolic blood pressures were reduced in men from 95 to 90 mmHg and in women from 94 to 88 mmHg. However, no effects on weight were noted and due to a low follow-up rate meaningful analysis of smoking habits was not possible. Conclusion - A programme for cardiovascular screening and prevention can be integrated in the primary health care system. Prevalent cardiovascular risk factors like hypereholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and high blood pressure were significantly reduced after intervention.