Risk factors cardiovascular diseases in the population of young adults

Abstract Introduction In population of young adults it seems reasonable to assess the classical risk factors for atherosclerosis. The classical cardiovascular risk factors determine the development of early atheriosclerotic lesions. Assessment of classic risk factors for atherosclerosis in young adults is important for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Aim of the study was to categorize the study group into two groups - those who exhibit a low-risk and those who exhibit a high-risk of cardiovascular disease, and to determine the factors characteristic for each risk group. Materials and Methods The study was done on 512 volunteers, students Medical Uniwersity of Silesia in the following Faculties: Health Care Faculty: Nursing Course (178 / 34,7%), Physiotherapy Course (109 / 21,3%), Obstetrics Course (49 / 9,5%), Faculty of Medicine (176 / 34,3%). The questionnaire on cardiovascular risk factors was constructed. According to the results of its assessment the following groups were divided: the group of high risk (10% of investigated with the highest awarding of points) and the group of low risk (10% of investigated with the lowest awarding of points). Results All students with hypertension belonged to the high-risk group 7(13.7%). The hypertension was significantly higher in the high risk group in comparison to the low risk subjects (p=0,01). The knowledge glucose concentration in blood serum was three times more common in the high-risk group (p=0.04). Smoking was a statistically significant factor and amounted to 58.8% and 11.6%, respectively (p<0.00001). In the high-risk group, there were significantly more people with too low physical activity (14 /27.5%) vs. in the low-risk group 4 (9.3%) (p=0.02). Alcohol consumption did´t significantly of people in the high- and low-risk groups (p=0.8). The consumption of vegetables and fruit had a significant impact (vegetables eaten at least twice a week vs. vegetables eaten once a week or not at all) for the frequency of people from particular risk groups - out of 10 people who had an improper diet, as many as 9 were classified as high-risk. Recurrent inflammatory diseases occurred significantly more often in the high-risk group 15 (29%) vs 3 (6.9%) (p˭˭0,03). Conclusions High cardiovascular risk in subgroup of young adults – students Medical University of Silesia characterized more frequent hypertension, smoking cigarettes, low physical activity, low eating fruits and vegetables. Bad eating habits are important risk factors cardiovascular disease .The above observations show the young adults with high cardiovascular risk characterized more frequent recurrent inflammatory diseases.