Status of cardiovascular health in a transition European country: findings from a population-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) in the adult population of Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics of participants.

METHODS: We included 4,170 adults (mean age 50.2 years; 54 % women) from the National Health Survey performed from September to November 2010 in RS. Population prevalence of CVH health metrics (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose) were estimated according to the American Heart Association criteria for "ideal", "intermediate", and "poor" levels.

RESULTS: Only 0.02 % participants had ideal (all 7 health metrics at ideal levels), 7.6 % intermediate, and 92.4 % poor (at least one metric at poor level) CVH. The fasting glucose was the most prevalent (75.9 %), whereas the healthy diet was the least prevalent (4.4 %) ideal CVH metric.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates extremely low prevalence of ideal and high prevalence of poor CVH in the adult RS population. Such alarming results require urgent action. Comprehensive public health strategies and interventions must be developed to assist individuals and population in improving their CVH.