Africa and Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological Study (ACE)

• Prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as obesity, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension [ Time Frame: At the time of the first visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Compare the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as obesity, smoking, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the urban and rural population. [ Time Frame: At the time of the first visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Compare the prevalence of CV risk factors such as obesity, smoking, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the male and female population. [ Time Frame: At the time of the first visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Stratifying the prevalence of CV risk factors such as obesity, smoking, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension by age groups. [ Time Frame: At the time of the first visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Ascertain the level of blood pressure and lipids' control as per the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines in patients who have been previously diagnosed as hypertensive or dyslipidaemic. [ Time Frame: At the time of the first visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Ascertain the most commonly used medications in those that have been previously diagnosed as diabetic, hypertensive or dyslipidaemic. [ Time Frame: At the time of the first visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

This is a cross-sectional, epidemiological study. In the course of this study, 4,300 persons from general practice, and other non specialist clinics of selected countries of the Africa and Middle East region, will be evaluated for the presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as obesity, smoking, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The degree of control of hypertension and dyslipidaemia in those previously diagnosed with these conditions will also be assessed. All medications used for CV risk factor control will also be ascertained.

Patient evaluation will be done by physicians in charge of the selected clinics (who will be trained for case report forms completion) over one visit, through history taking, clinical examination as well as laboratory investigations. Every fifth patient seen on a particular day, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria would be included in the study.