CORONARY RISK ASSESSMENT IN PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is described as a specific inflammatory disease, triggered by a multifactorial attack on the endothelium of the arteries, mainly affecting the intima layer. Risk factors for the development of CAD can be classified as modifiable (dyslipidemia, Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), physical inactivity, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, among others) and non-modifiable (sex, age and direct and indirect family pathological history). The present research aimed to classify the coronary risk of students studying Psychology at a Private Higher Education Institution in the city of Uberlândia – MG. This was empirical research applied in the field, with a descriptive objective and a quantitative approach and cross-sectional design. The Michigan Heart Association test was used to collect data, which is a practical prevention instrument that establishes values that make it possible to direct care plans for people with cardiovascular diseases. A greater number of women were identified in the research, however, when evaluating coronary risk between the sexes, males presented a higher risk compared to females. Furthermore, it was identified that students studying the 4th period have a higher risk compared to other periods. It is concluded that the students evaluated were categorized as having "below average risk" for developing coronary disease, according to the Michigan Heart Association's RISKO questionnaire.