Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors of coronary heart disease in the personnel of the General Hospital in Mexico City. Material and methods. We studied 2 228 workers, 1 531 female (68.7%) and 697 male (31.2%) whose ages ranged from 16 to 65 years old in the period of 1993 to 1995. They were divided in work areas: Intendancy 477 (21.4%), Administrative, 697 (31.2%), Physicians, 495 (22.2%) and Nurses, 559 (25.0%). We collected clinical histories, anthropometric measures, and laboratory determinations of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglicerydes. Results. We found that 367 (14.9%) had total cholesterol above 240 mg/dl, with high values in females of the administrative area (17.1%) and males in the nursing department (26%), which was the highest tendency. Trigliceryde levels above 200 mg/dl were found in 208 males (24.6%) and 263 females (16.2%), with high prevalence in the nursing and administrative departments, in males (39.1 and 34.1% respectively). Obesity was present in 236 females (14.5%) and 97 males (11.5%). High blood pressure in 549 individuals (22.2%), 297 females (18.3%) and 252 males (29.8%) without significance regarding to work area. Smoking habits were positive in 32% of the total with highest prevalence in males from 30 to 45 years and in females from 30 to 50 years. We found an incidence of 6.24% of diabetes in all the subjects studied, 2.27% ignored the diagnosis at the moment they were studied.Conclusions. In this study we confirmed the high prevalence of risk factors of coronary heart disease in personnel of the General Hospital in Mexico City. In most cases, these risk factors that can be modified and, therefore, prevented.

Objetivo. Conocer la prevalencia de algunos factores de riesgo coronario en trabajadores de una institución de salud. Material y métodos. De 1993 a 1995 se evaluaron 2 228 trabajadores del Hospital General de México, 1 531 mujeres (68.7%) y 697 hombres (31.2%) con edades entre 16 a 65 años, y se les clasificó por áreas de trabajo: en Intendencia hubo 477 participantes (21.4%); en Administración, 697 (31.2%); en Personal Médico, 495 (22.2%), y en Enfermería, 559 (25.0%). Se les practicó historia clínica, mediciones antropométricas y determinación de glucosa, colesterol total, LDL, HDL y triglicéridos. Resultados. Trescientos sesenta y siete sujetos (14.9%) tenían colesterol por arriba de 240 mg/dl, con valores altos en las mujeres del área administrativa (17.1%) y en los hombres del departamento de enfermería (26%) que presentó la mayor tendencia (26%). Se encontraron niveles de triglicéridos por arriba de los 200 mg/dl en 471 personas (19.1%); obesidad, en 329 (13.5%); hipertensión arterial, en 549 sujetos (22.2%), y tabaquismo positivo, en 32% de los trabajadores. La prevalencia de diabetes mellitus fue de 6.24%. Conclusiones. Se confirma la elevada prevalencia de factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular entre los trabajadores del Hospital General de México, factores que en muchos casos son modificables, lo que confiere la posibilidad de realizar acciones preventivas.