Publication date: Oct 29, 2024

Physicians spearhead the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, however, there is a paucity of studies that have assessed the cardiovascular risk profiles of physicians in Africa. We aimed to determine the cardiovascular health indices of a cross-section of physicians in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical doctors in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, with different specialties being proportionally represented. Sociodemographic, work-associated, and cardiovascular factors, together with anthropometry and Fuster-BEWAT score (FBS): blood pressure, exercise, weight (BMI), alimentation and tobacco were used to assess cardiovascular health indices. The number of doctors enrolled in this study was 251 with a median age of 34; 51. 4% were males. While the mean FBS was 7. 8 (+/-2. 1), 1. 6% of physicians had ideal FBS, as 59. 4% and 39. 0% had intermediate and poor FBS respectively. A small proportion of doctors had adequate fruit or vegetable intake (1. 2%), or exercise (10. 4%). The percentages of doctors who had ideal blood pressure and BMI were 46. 6% and 27. 9% respectively. Almost all doctors were non-smokers (98. 4 %). Medical officers and residents had better cardiovascular health compared to consultants. There was no statistically significant association between cardiovascular health score and other work-associated factors. The composite cardiovascular health index of physicians was assessed as intermediate (7. 8 on a maximum scale of 15). Positive deviants were normotensive blood pressure (46. 6%) and tobacco use (98. 4%). We recommend that Nigerian physicians need to improve weight, exercise, and alimentation cardiovascular health practices.

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