Racial disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have become a matter of national concern. We investigated racial disparities and trends in glycosylated hemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), C-reactive protein, plasma homocysteine, albuminuria, and other risk factors among 4758 diagnosed hypertensive subjects age 18 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) (Hispanics odds ratio [OR]: 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-2.07; blacks OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.21-1.67), elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (Hispanics OR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.89-3.87; blacks OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.70-2.77), albuminuria (Hispanics OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.71-3.27; blacks OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.47-2.20), and less likely to have central obesity (Hispanics OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51-0.91; blacks OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58-0.84). Blacks had lower risks of elevated serum cholesterol (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.98) and low HDL (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61-0.94) than whites. The risk of high serum homocysteine was lower in Hispanics and higher in blacks compared with whites (Hispanics OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.90; blacks OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.14-1.63). These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to aggressively treat uncontrolled BP, elevated glycosylated hemoglobin in Hispanic and black hypertensive subjects, and high serum homocysteine in blacks, to reduce disparities in CVD risk factors and CVD-associated morbidity and mortality.

Suboptimal cardiovascular health among African American (AA) women contributes to high costs of care related to acute illness, chronic illness, and disability. Using the health promotion model, this needs assessment project examined risk factors that predispose adult AA women between the ages of 21 to 64 years of age to higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Seventy of the 300 charts that met the inclusion criteria (female AA patients, 21 to 64 years of age, receiving care in a community clinic in an urban city of Texas) were audited for this project. Descriptive analysis showed that 66% of the women did not have a diagnosis of CVD, 32% were noted as being at risk for CVD, and risk for diagnosis of CVD was not listed in 3% of the charts. The audit also showed that 7% of the AA women did not monitor their diet, 60% monitored their diet, and 33% lacked knowledge of heart healthy diet. Sixty-seven percent of charts audited noted a family history of CVD, 33% noted no family history of CVD, while 3% noted an unknown family history of CVD. The ages of the patients ranged from 21-64 (M = 24.9 years). Weight ranged from 104-225 lbs. (M = 172.5 lbs.) and height ranged between 52-73 inches (M = 61.13 inches). Body mass index (BMI) calculated showed 1.43% of the women were underweight, 11.4% showed normal BMI, 32.86% were overweight, and 54.29% were obese. Study recommendation included implementation of a patient education that will help increase awareness of CVD among the patient population at the clinic. Findings from this project could increase awareness on the importance of creating cultural congruent education program that will help educate minority populations more effectively in the management of cardiovascular disease.

No description available.

No description available.

Background: In the past 37 years, increased efforts have been directed toward a better understanding of the importance of Hcy in disease and it has now become clear that hyperhomocysteinemia is a major independent risk factor for CVD. Extensive research on the influence of vitamin supplementation leading to reductions in Hcy levels and improvements in cardiovascular function has been done. The importance of exercise in the lowering of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as its favourable influence on cardiovascular function has also been indicated in several studies, however, the limited number of studies investigating the effect of exercise on Hcy concentrations revealed contradicting results. Furthermore, a relationship between Hcy concentration and cardiovascular function with the intervention of an exercise training and a vitamin supplementation programme respectively has also not been investigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a 12-week exercise training and a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention respectively on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function, and whether the change in tHcy concentration within the different interventions correlated with the change in cardiovascular function. Methods: In a randomised controlled cross-over intervention study, 52 men matched for age, cardiorespiratory fitness levels and cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (Group A = exercise training programme, 20-30min. at 70-80% of HRmax; Group B = 400 g folic acid and 25 g vitamin B12 supplement; Group C = control). Group A and B were crossed over for phase 11, and Group C remained the control. The questionnaires were completed, and the body composition variables (BMI, WHR and body fat percentage), cardiovascular function (Finometer), tHcy concentrations and VO2max, were measured before and after each 12-week intervention period. A 6-week washout period separated the crossovers. Results: The ANCOVA, adjusted for age and BMI, showed that the percentage change from baseline to end, corrected for baseline of the tHcy concentration increased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 9.7% with the exercise training intervention and decreased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 12.9%, with the vitamin supplementation intervention. The ANCOVA of the percentage change from baseline to end in cardiovascular function showed that the vitamin supplementation intervention resulted in improvements in cardiovascular function (decreased resting MAP, TPR and increased resting SV, CO, Cw) in comparison to the impairment in cardiovascular function with the exercise training intervention (increased resting DBP, MAP and TPR). The relationship between the tHcy concentration and cardiovascular function at baseline and within each of the different interventions were assessed by partial correlations adjusted for age, BMI and VO2max. Significant (p ≤ .05) relationships only occurred within the vitamin supplementation intervention, where decreased percentage change in tHcy concentration significantly correlated with increased percentage change of resting SV and CO and decreased percentage change of resting TPR. Conclusion: The general conclusion that can be drawn is that a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention showed increased health related results, e.g. a significant reduction in tHcy concentration, an improvement in cardiovascular function and a significant positive relationship between these b o factors, in comparison to the 12-week exercise training intervention that significantly increased the tHcy concentration and did not show increased health related results. Due to inadequate compliance to the exercise training intervention, no conclusion can be drawn with regard to the effect of exercise training on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Introdução: Existe crescente interesse em identificar marcadores de risco para eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes com HIV/aids. Atualmente observa-se alteração do perfil epidemiológico desses pacientes, com diminuição da mortalidade por infecção e comorbidades e aumento por eventos cardiovasculares. A elasticidade arterial, principalmente dos pequenos vasos, tem sido investigada como alteração precoce de evento cardiovascular. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre elasticidade arterial e outros indicadores de risco cardiovascular como fatores demográficos e socioeconômicos, hábitos de vida, estado nutricional e marcadores inflamatórios. Métodos: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 132 indivíduos voluntários em tratamento regular com antirretrovirais em ambulatório especializado em HIV/aids, com idade entre 19 e 59 de ambos os sexos. A elasticidade arterial dos grandes vasos (LAEI) e pequenos vasos (SAEI) foi investigada pelo equipamento HDI/ PulseWaveTM CR-2000 Cardio Vascular Profiling System®. Foram determinados colesterol total e frações, triglicérides, proteína C-reativa, fibrinogênio, medidas antropométricas e de avaliação de composição corporal, fumo, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, uso de drogas, prática de atividade física, além de avaliação de fatores demográficos e socioeconômicos e imunológicos (carga viral, T-CD4, T-CD8). Para investigar a associação entre LAEI e SAEI e outros fatores de risco cardiovascular utilizou-se análise de regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: Em relação à elasticidade dos grandes e pequenos vasos, 71,97 por cento e 32,58 por cento , respectivamente, dos participantes foram classificados com elasticidade normal. Observou-se associação positiva entre LAEI e peso (p<0,001) e associações negativas entre LAEI e prega cutânea subescapular (p<0,001) e linfócitos T-CD4 (p<0,02). Verificou-se associação negativa de LAEI com sexo (p<0,02), mostrando que o sexo feminino está relacionado com menor elasticidade. Houve associação positiva entre SAEI e peso (p<0,001) e associações negativas entre SAEI e prega cutânea subescapular (p<0,001), idade (p<0,01) e linfócitos totais (p<0.01). Conclusão: As alterações de elasticidade arterial em pacientes HIV/aids apresentaram relação com outros fatores de risco cardiovascular. SAEI mostrou-se diminuído na maioria dos participantes, sendo uma alteração que pode identificar a disfunção endotelial antes que a doença se torne clinicamente aparente. A monitoração constante da elasticidade arterial através de método não invasivo pode se tornar uma importante ferramenta na predição e prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes HIV/aids / Introduction: There is a growing interest in identifying markers of risk for cardiovascular events in patients with HIV / AIDS. Currently there is a change in the epidemiological profile of patients with reduced mortality from infections and comorbidities and increased cardiovascular events. The arterial elasticity, mainly of small vessels, has been investigated as early alteration of cardiovascular events. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between arterial elasticity and other cardiovascular risk factors such as demographic and socioeconomic factors, lifestyle habits, nutritional status and inflammatory markers. Methods: We randomly selected 132 individuals volunteers, ages between 19 and 59, of both sexes, regularly treated with antiretrovirals in specialized clinics on HIV / AIDS. Arterial elasticity of the large (LAEI) and small (SAEI) vessels were investigated by the equipment HDI/ PulseWaveTM CR-2000 Cardio Vascular Profiling System®. We determined total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and anthropometric assessment of body composition, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, physical activity, and evaluation of demographic, socio-economic and immunological (viral load, T-CD4, T-CD8) factors. The association between LAEI and SAEI and other cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by multiple linear regression. Results: Regarding the elasticity of large and small vessels, 71.97 per cent and 32.58 per cent , respectively, of the participants were classified as having normal elasticity. We observed a positive association between LAEI and weight (p <0.001) and negative associations between LAEI and subscapular skinfold (p <0.001) and CD4 counts (p <0.02). There was a negative association of LAEI with gender (p <0.02), showing that female gender is associated with lower elasticity. There was a positive association between SAEI and weight (p <0.001) and negative associations between SAEI and subscapular skinfold (p <0.001), age (p <0.01) and total lymphocytes (p <0.01). Conclusion: Changes in arterial elasticity in patients with HIV / AIDS correlate with other cardiovascular risk factors. SAEI was altered in most participants, a change that can identify endothelial dysfunction before the disease becomes clinically apparent. The constant monitoring of arterial elasticity through noninvasive method may become an important tool in the prediction and prevention of cardiovascular events in HIV / aids patients

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de intervenção quase experimental, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 154 estudantes do ensino médio de escolas públicas do interior paulista, realizado no período de agosto a dezembro de 2010, tendo por objetivos identificar entre os estudantes do ensino médio, valores de PA alterados, exposição aos fatores de risco para a doença hipertensiva e o conhecimento, por meio de jogos educativos, sobre os fatores de risco para a doença hipertensiva. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados três instrumentos: um relativo a dados sociedemográficos, da medida da pressão arterial (PA) e do estilo de vida; os planos de aulas para realização da atividade educativa e o jogo de cruzadas de Moreira (2007), para avaliar o conhecimento dos alunos pré e pós-intervenção com a atividade educativa. Os sujeitos possuíam idade entre 14 e 17 anos, 86 (55,8%) eram do sexo feminino, 100 (65%), brancos e 63 (40,9%) cursavam o 10° ano; 7 (4,5%) apresentaram valores de PA > percentil 95 e <= percentil 99, 3 (1,9%) apresentaram valores de PA > percentil 99; 35 (22,8%) apresentaram sobrepeso, destes, 5 (14,3%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados, 8 (5,2%) apresentaram obesidade, destes, 3 (37,5%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados; 45 apresentaram circunferência da cintura (CC) > percentil 75, destes, 6 (13,3%) estavam com valores de PA alterados. As principais comorbidades apresentadas relativas aos antecedentes familiares foram: Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS) (71,4%), Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio (IAM) (61,7%) e Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) (40,3%). Dos estudantes com valores de PA alterados, 8 (80%) apresentaram algum antecedente familiar para doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs). Quando questionados sobre o entedimento do que é pressão alta, 56 (36,4%) responderam corretamente e 41 (26,6%) sabiam indicar o tratamento da pressão alta. Quando questionados sobre a exposição aos fatores de risco para a HAS, 28 (18,2%) indicaram não praticar atividade de física, destes, 7 (24,9%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados, 15 (9,7%) eram fumantes, destes, 8 (53,3%) possuiam valores de PA alterados, 66 (42,9%) consumiam bebida alcoólica, sendo que, 4 (6,1%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados, 93 (60,4%) consideravam-se estressados, dos quais, 9 (9,7%) possuiam valores de PA altterados. Quando comparamos as questões do jogo de cruzadas no pré e pós- intervenção com a atividade educativa, identificamos que o conhecimento dos estudantes foi adquirido, pois apresentaram 32,5 % de acertos nas questões (pré-intervenção) e 76,2% de acertos nas questões (pós-intervenção). A aplicação do teste t Student, mostrou resultado p= 000, sendo estatisticamente significativo. Diante desses resultados permanece o deasafio de desenvolver programas educativos nas escolas como processo de ensino para que os estudantes adquiram conhecimento para buscar melhor qualidade de vida, pois é nesta faixa etária que se desenvolvem hábitos saudáveis. / This quasi-experimental descriptive intervention study with a quantitative approach involved 154 secondary-education students from public schools in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. It was carried out between August and December 2010. The goals were to identify altered BP levels among the students, as well as exposure to risk factors for hypertensive disease and knowledge on the risk factors for hypertensive disease, using educative games. Three instruments were used for data collection: one addressing socio-demographic, blood pressure (BP) measurement and lifestyle data; lesson plans to accomplish the educative activity and Moreira\' crossword game (2007) to assess the students\' knowledge before and after the intervention and after the educative activity. Subjects were between 14 and 17 years old, 86 (55.8%) were female, 100 (65%) white and 63 (40.9%) were taking the 10th year; 7 (4.5%) displayed BP > 95th percentile and <= 99th percentile, 3 (1.9%) showed BP > 99th percentile; 35 (22.8%) presented overweight, 5 (14.3%) of whom with altered BP levels, 8 (5.2%) were obese, 3 (37.5%) of whom with altered BP levels; 45 presented waist circumference (WC) > 75th percentile, 6 (13.3%) of which with altered BP levels. The main comorbidities related to family antecedents were: systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) (71.4%), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (61.7%) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (40.3%). Among students with altered BP levels, 8 (80%) presented some family antecedent for cardiovascular illnesses (CVIs). When asked about their understanding of high blood pressure, 56 (36.4%) answered correctly and 41 (26.6%) were able to indicate high BP treatment. When asked about exposure to risk factors for SAH, 28 (18.2%) indicated that they did not practice physical exercise, 7 (24.9%) of whom with altered BP levels; 15 (9.7%) were smokers, 8 (53.3%) of whom with altered BP levels; 66 (42.9%) consumed alcoholic beverages, 4 (6.1%) of whom with altered BP levels, and 93 (60.4%) considered they were stressed, 9 (9.7%) of whom with altered BP levels. The comparison of questions in the crossword game before and after the intervention with the educative activity showed that the students gained knowledge, with 32.5% (pre-intervention) and 76.2% of correct answers (post-intervention). The result of Student\'s t-test was p= 000, with statistical significance. In view of these results, the challenge remains to develop educative programs in schools as a teaching process for students to gain knowledge with a view to a better quality of life, as it is in this age range that healthy habits are developed.

Nine physiological measures were evaluated pre- to post-intervention on subjects participating in a university health promotion program over a seven-month period. Frequency of program attendance and choice of activity were also assessed. Of the 88 employees initially screened, most of the subjects were staff members (n=82, 93%),with a majority being female (n=68, 77%). Significant differences in physiological measures were found pre- to post-intervention between "higher" and "lower" cardiovascular risk participants, primarily due to the type of activity chosen. .The results indicate that health promotion programs at a university are an effective way to have an impact on employees in reducing their cardiovascular risk factors.

Introdução: A morbi-mortalidade por DCV representa relevante problema de saúde pública da atualidade. Os mecanismos envolvidos na aterogênese envolvem a inflamação e resistência à insulina. Diante das evidências de que hábitos saudáveis são capazes reduzir eventos cardiovasculares e da baixa adesão à dieta saudável, foi elaborada a Dieta Cardioprotetora Brasileira DICA-Br, utilizando conceitos de densidade energética e de nutrientes para auxiliar a orientação dietética. Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos da DICA-Br com a orientação alimentar habitual do sistema de saúde pública quanto a fatores de risco tradicionais, biomarcadores circulantes de aterogênese e índice de resistência à insulina em sub-amostra do estudo matriz. A amostra incluiu 212 adultos que apresentaram prévio evento cardiovascular, alocados aleatoriamente para o grupo DICA-Br ou Controle (orientações alimentares habitualmente usadas no SUS). A DICA-Br diferencia-se pelo fato de incluir alimentos brasileiros e pela estratégia educacional. No basal e após 6 meses das intervenções foram obtidos dados clínicos e as concentrações de glicose de jejum, insulina, perfil lipídico, PCR, MCP-1,VCAM-1, ICAM-1 e selectina-E, comparados por testes t de Student ou equivalentes não paramétricos.Resultados: Os grupos DICA-Br e Controle apresentaram resultados similares após as intervenção, respectivamente quanto às reduções de peso (76,6±13,9 para 75,1±14,0 e75,5±13,1 para 74,4±13,2 kg; p<0,001), circunferência da cintura (100,0±11,1 para 98,1±12,0 e 99,3±10,4 para 98,2±10,2 cm; p<0,05), pressão arterial sistólica (132±22 para 125±17 e 133±21 para 124±18 mmHg; p<0,05) e diastólica (79±10 para 73±10 e 77±13 para 71±11 mmHg; p<0,05). As ingestões de energia total, gordura total e saturada também reduziram significantemente, porém sem correlação com medidas antropométricas. As intervenções não induziram mudanças em variáveis bioquímicas, de adesão celular e inflamação e HOMA-IR e tiveram comportamentos semelhantes quanto a estas variáveis. Conclusões: DICA-Br e orientação alimentar habitual induzem efeitos similares sobre fatores de risco cardiovasculares tradicionais, biomarcadores de aterogênese e resistência à insulina. Desconhece-se se a DICA-Br poderá ser estratégia de educação alimentar alternativa às orientações dietéticas padrão a ser empregada no sistema público de saúde, capaz de reduzir a adiposidade corporal de indivíduos de alto risco. / Background: Nowadays, morbidity and mortality due to CVD represent relevant public health problem. The mechanisms of atherogenesis involve inflammation and insulin resistance. Considering that healthy habits are able to reduce cardiovascular events and the low compliance to healthy diet, the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet DICA-Br was proposed using concept of energy and nutrients density to help dietary guidance. Objective: To compare the effects of DICA-Br with the usual food orientation delivered by the public health system to traditional risk factors, circulating biomarkers of atherogenesis and insulin resistance index, in sub-study sample of the main study. The sample consisted of 212 adults with overt atherosclerosis, randomly allocated to the DICA-Br or Control group (usual dietary guidelines used in SUS). The differential of DICA-Br is that it includes Brazilian foods and the innovative educational strategy. At baseline and after 6 months of interventions, clinical data and fasting glucose, insulin, lipids, CRP, MCP-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin concentrations were obtained and compared by Student t test or the non-parametric correspondent ones. Results: DICA-Br and Control group showed similar results after 6 months of intervention concerning respectively, weight loss(76.6±13.9 to 75.1±14.0 and 75.5±13.1 to 74.4±13.2 kg; p<0.001), waist circumference (100.0±11.1 to 98.1±12.0 and 99.3±10.4 and 98.2±10.2 cm; p<0.05), systolic (132±22 to 125±17 and 133±21 to 124±18 mmHg, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (79±10 to 73±10 and ± 77±13 to 71±11 mmHg, p<0.05). Total energy, total fat and saturated fat intakes also reduced significantly, but no correlation was found with anthropometric measurements. The interventions did not induce changes in metabolic variables, cell adhesion molecules and inflammation biomarkers and HOMA-IR and both showed similar results regarding these variables. Conclusion: The DICA-Br and usual food counseling induce similar effects on traditional cardiovascular risk factors, biomarkers of atherogenesis and insulin resistance. It is unknown whether the DICA-Br will be an alternative approach for dietary education to the standard strategy to be employed in the public health system, able to reduce the body fat in high-risk individuals.

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de intervenção quase experimental, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 154 estudantes do ensino médio de escolas públicas do interior paulista, realizado no período de agosto a dezembro de 2010, tendo por objetivos identificar entre os estudantes do ensino médio, valores de PA alterados, exposição aos fatores de risco para a doença hipertensiva e o conhecimento, por meio de jogos educativos, sobre os fatores de risco para a doença hipertensiva. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados três instrumentos: um relativo a dados sociedemográficos, da medida da pressão arterial (PA) e do estilo de vida; os planos de aulas para realização da atividade educativa e o jogo de cruzadas de Moreira (2007), para avaliar o conhecimento dos alunos pré e pós-intervenção com a atividade educativa. Os sujeitos possuíam idade entre 14 e 17 anos, 86 (55,8%) eram do sexo feminino, 100 (65%), brancos e 63 (40,9%) cursavam o 10° ano; 7 (4,5%) apresentaram valores de PA > percentil 95 e <= percentil 99, 3 (1,9%) apresentaram valores de PA > percentil 99; 35 (22,8%) apresentaram sobrepeso, destes, 5 (14,3%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados, 8 (5,2%) apresentaram obesidade, destes, 3 (37,5%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados; 45 apresentaram circunferência da cintura (CC) > percentil 75, destes, 6 (13,3%) estavam com valores de PA alterados. As principais comorbidades apresentadas relativas aos antecedentes familiares foram: Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS) (71,4%), Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio (IAM) (61,7%) e Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) (40,3%). Dos estudantes com valores de PA alterados, 8 (80%) apresentaram algum antecedente familiar para doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs). Quando questionados sobre o entedimento do que é pressão alta, 56 (36,4%) responderam corretamente e 41 (26,6%) sabiam indicar o tratamento da pressão alta. Quando questionados sobre a exposição aos fatores de risco para a HAS, 28 (18,2%) indicaram não praticar atividade de física, destes, 7 (24,9%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados, 15 (9,7%) eram fumantes, destes, 8 (53,3%) possuiam valores de PA alterados, 66 (42,9%) consumiam bebida alcoólica, sendo que, 4 (6,1%) apresentaram valores de PA alterados, 93 (60,4%) consideravam-se estressados, dos quais, 9 (9,7%) possuiam valores de PA altterados. Quando comparamos as questões do jogo de cruzadas no pré e pós- intervenção com a atividade educativa, identificamos que o conhecimento dos estudantes foi adquirido, pois apresentaram 32,5 % de acertos nas questões (pré-intervenção) e 76,2% de acertos nas questões (pós-intervenção). A aplicação do teste t Student, mostrou resultado p= 000, sendo estatisticamente significativo. Diante desses resultados permanece o deasafio de desenvolver programas educativos nas escolas como processo de ensino para que os estudantes adquiram conhecimento para buscar melhor qualidade de vida, pois é nesta faixa etária que se desenvolvem hábitos saudáveis. / This quasi-experimental descriptive intervention study with a quantitative approach involved 154 secondary-education students from public schools in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. It was carried out between August and December 2010. The goals were to identify altered BP levels among the students, as well as exposure to risk factors for hypertensive disease and knowledge on the risk factors for hypertensive disease, using educative games. Three instruments were used for data collection: one addressing socio-demographic, blood pressure (BP) measurement and lifestyle data; lesson plans to accomplish the educative activity and Moreira\' crossword game (2007) to assess the students\' knowledge before and after the intervention and after the educative activity. Subjects were between 14 and 17 years old, 86 (55.8%) were female, 100 (65%) white and 63 (40.9%) were taking the 10th year; 7 (4.5%) displayed BP > 95th percentile and <= 99th percentile, 3 (1.9%) showed BP > 99th percentile; 35 (22.8%) presented overweight, 5 (14.3%) of whom with altered BP levels, 8 (5.2%) were obese, 3 (37.5%) of whom with altered BP levels; 45 presented waist circumference (WC) > 75th percentile, 6 (13.3%) of which with altered BP levels. The main comorbidities related to family antecedents were: systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) (71.4%), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (61.7%) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (40.3%). Among students with altered BP levels, 8 (80%) presented some family antecedent for cardiovascular illnesses (CVIs). When asked about their understanding of high blood pressure, 56 (36.4%) answered correctly and 41 (26.6%) were able to indicate high BP treatment. When asked about exposure to risk factors for SAH, 28 (18.2%) indicated that they did not practice physical exercise, 7 (24.9%) of whom with altered BP levels; 15 (9.7%) were smokers, 8 (53.3%) of whom with altered BP levels; 66 (42.9%) consumed alcoholic beverages, 4 (6.1%) of whom with altered BP levels, and 93 (60.4%) considered they were stressed, 9 (9.7%) of whom with altered BP levels. The comparison of questions in the crossword game before and after the intervention with the educative activity showed that the students gained knowledge, with 32.5% (pre-intervention) and 76.2% of correct answers (post-intervention). The result of Student\'s t-test was p= 000, with statistical significance. In view of these results, the challenge remains to develop educative programs in schools as a teaching process for students to gain knowledge with a view to a better quality of life, as it is in this age range that healthy habits are developed.