Association Between Self-Rated Health and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Latvia

The aim of the study was to analyse the association between self-rated health (SRH) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (RFs) by age and sex in Latvia. A sample of 6000 individuals was formed using random selection from the population (aged 25–74) in Latvia. The survey consisted of an interview, physical examinations, and collection of blood samples. SRH was assessed by a question about the health self-rate. In total, 4070 individuals were interviewed; blood samples were taken from 2218 respondents. The prevalence of good SRH was 48%, fair in 43.3%, and poor in 8.7%. Good SRH was reported by: 33.5% of individuals with raised blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg), 45.5% of individuals with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (≥3 mmol/l), 33.6% of individuals with raised glucose level (≥5.6 mmol/l), 43.0% of daily smokers; and 32.3% of individuals with body mass index ≥30 kg/m². There were statistically significant differences in SRH categories between population with normal and elevated levels of the risk factors (p < 0.001). Individuals with 0 RF had good SRH in 74%; 1 RF – in 65%; 2 RFs – in 50%; 3 RFs – in 40%; 4 RFs – in 30%; and 5 RFs – in 23%; p < 0.001. Aging, elevated BP, elevated glucose level, smoking and non-normal body mass index were associated with a lower SRH while male sex and elevated LDL-C were associated with a higher SRH, adjusted for other covariates included in the model. 32.3% to 48.6% of the population with CVD RFs rated their health misleadingly high. To improve the situation, specifically targeted public education on the relationship of RFs to SRH is necessary.