Prevalence of multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors among women in the United States, 1992 and 1995: The behavioral risk factor surveillance system

We sought to examine the prevalence of self-reported multiple cardiovascula r disease (CVD) risk factors (hypertension, high blood cholesterol, diabete s, overweight, and current smoking) among women in 1992 and 1995 in the Uni ted States using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. In 1995 37.5%, 34.4%, and 28.1% of women had zero, one, and two or more of the five risk factors, respectively. In 1995, the respective estimates were 35.5%, 34.3%, and 30%. In both years, the prevalence of two or more risk f actors increased with age, decreased with educational level, was higher amo ng black women (lowest among Hispanic women and women of other ethnic group s), and higher among women reporting cost as a barrier to healthcare. The p ercentage of women with two or more risk factors was higher in 1995 than in 1992 for 35 of 48 states, being statistically significant for 7 states. Th e percentage of women with at least two risk factors was not significantly lower in 1995 than in 1992 for any state. A higher percentage of women repo rt-ed having multiple CVD risk factors in 1995 compared with 1992. A multif actorial approach to primary prevention and risk factor reduction should be encouraged to help reduce the prevalence and burden of CVD among women.