Modifiable risks of cardiovascular disease in adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities

A total of 234 family caregivers who supported their adult family members with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) at home were asked to fill out a survey. The survey was adapted from a nation-wide Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The purpose of this study was to examine the modifiable risks (hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes) of cardiovascular disease in adults (age 18 years and older) with I/DD in Illinois. The prevalence of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease was compared between two age groups (age < 40 years vs. age ≥ 40 years) and their counterparts in general population. The older age group had 5 times higher of hypertension and 2 times higher of high cholesterol than the younger age group. Over one third of participants were obese and physically inactive which are higher than their peers in the general population. Sixty-seven percent of female participants in the older group were reported being physically inactive. However, both groups had a lower prevalence of hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes than their counterparts. Over 85% of participants had a physical examination within the past year. Nearly half of participants had 2 servings or less of fruits and vegetables per day and ate out-of-home at least twice a week. These findings indicate that a continued need to develop and implement health promotion programs for targeting specific behaviors and practices is crucial at state and local levels. Recommendations for further investigation and implications for health promotion strategies are discussed.