PURPOSE: To evaluate short-term efficacy of awareness programs (AP) in reducing coronary heart disease risk factors (CHDRF). METHODS: High risk hypercholesterolemic patients were divided in 2 groups during 16 weeks. Group A (n=417, 54.3±10.0 years, 55% males) received verbal and written orientation on CHDRF control, and group B (n=180, 54.4±10.9 years, 45% males) received only verbal orientation. All participants received pravastatin 10mg q.d. for 12 weeks. The evolution of body weight, arterial pressure, lipid profile, Castelli's I and II indexes (TC/HDL and LDL/HDL), and Framingham scores were evaluated. RESULTS: At baseline, A had a lower HDL-C (40.0±11.0 vs 43.0±11.0mg/dl, p=0.013) and a higher index I (8.2±3.0 vs 7.6±2.3, p=0.008) than B. After 16 weeks, A had greater change than B in TC (-28.0 vs -25.0, p<0.05), LDL-C (-29.0 vs -27.6, p<0.05), HDL-C levels (+13.7 vs +10.8, p<0.05) and in the Castelli's Index (-39.0 vs -33.0; p<0.05). In both groups pravastatin use potentialized the effects of diet on the lipid profile. CONCLUSION: The AP seemed to be more effective than verbal orientation alone in CHDRF reduction at short-term.
hypercholesterolemia; cardiovascular disease; risk factors; pravastatin
