Cardiovascular risk factors in young Mexican adults

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult population worldwide. Most studies on risk factors have focused on children and adults of mature age. Quite the opposite, there are few which specifically analyze young individuals.

The objectives of the study were to determine cardiovascular risk factors in young Mexican adults.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study was carried out on a healthy sample of 198 young Mexican university-level adults, aged from 18 to 25 years who, after completing a questionnaire, were evaluated on anthropometric and blood pressure parameters. A comparative analysis of the results was made according to sex and with findings from other studies.

In 46% of the subjects, an atherogenic diet was identified (predominant among males). About 59.1% of the individuals were classified as sedentary (mostly women). About 91.4% of the sample had two or more associated antecedents of CVD (and other associated conditions) in their family background, the most frequent being diabetes mellitus (71.2%), systemic hypertension (64.6%), and overweight or obesity (56.6%). In 25.8% of the individuals, overweight was observed (more frequent among women). In males, a higher proportion of alterations in blood pressure levels was described.

The most frequently identified findings correspond to the group of modifiable minor risk factors, which could allow the development of preventive measures, inasmuch as these are subjects in which the modification of harmful behaviors and habits is achievable and timely.