Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, sedentariness, obesity, stress, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking) and cardiovascular diseases (hypertension - HTN, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and peripheral arterial disease) with practitioners of recreational skiing.
Material and Method. The research was conducted on a group of 632 skiers aged between 18 and 68 practitioners of skiing in resorts in the Prahova Valley and Poiana Brasov, Romania. Questionnaires about risk factors and known cardiovascular disease, with or without treatment, were distributed. Subsequently, the data were summarized in tables and charts, and analysed.
Results. Of all risk factors, hypertension (HTN) was reported in 31.64% of male skiers, aged 55, respectively 12.97% of female skiers over the age of 65; sedentariness in 38.29% of the subjects, dyslipidemia in 37.75%, stress in 31.06%, smoking in 26.56%, obesity in 21.36% and diabetes in 8.22%. Regarding cardiovascular diseases, 44.50% of the subjects with hypertension (31.64%) were under treatment, and 55.50% not. Also, heart rhythm disorders, described as palpitations (5.85%), angina pectoris described as chest pain on effort (2.05%), myocardial infarction with or without coronary revascularization (1.89%), and peripheral arteriopathy (1.42%) were recorded. Of the 632 subjects examined, 432 (68.35%) reported blood pressure values ​​less than 140/90 mmHg, and 200 (31.64%) values ​​of blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg.
Conclusions. Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease among skiers, followed by coronary artery disease. Because of the association of several risk factors with subclinical or diagnosed and untreated cardiovascular disease, the subjects in the age group 46-55 are more exposed to the risk of worsening pre-existing conditions and to the occurrence of fatal and non-fatal  cardiovascular events.