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[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in first year university students]
C A Girotto1, M N Vacchino, C A Spillmann
1Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Insights
Many university students have a family history of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Early detection and preventive measures are crucial for managing these health risks in young adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Focuses on cardiovascular risk factors among first-year university students.
- Examines the relationship between these risk factors and family history of disease.
- Utilizes data from 3,357 students at Mar del Plata University in Argentina.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a young adult population.
- To investigate the association between self-reported family history and the presence of these risk factors.
- To identify specific risk factors and their correlations with demographic and lifestyle variables.
Summary:
- High prevalence of family history for hypercholesterolemia (27.5%), hypertension (42.1%), diabetes mellitus (26.9%), obesity (27.2%), and cardiovascular disease (42.1%) was observed.
- Hypertension (7.0%) was linked to Body Mass Index (BMI), male sex, and age.
- Hypercholesterolemia (14.4%) was associated with age, BMI, and family history of obesity/hypercholesterolemia. Smoking prevalence was 27.1%, related to age and chosen career.
- Cardiac problems (3.7%) were associated with a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant burden of cardiovascular risk factors and family history in university students.
- Provides data to inform targeted public health interventions and preventive strategies for young adults.
- Emphasizes the need for early screening and health education within university settings to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks.
Abstract:
The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their relation to a self-reported family history of disease was examined in 3,357 first year university students of Mar del Plata University (Argentine). The prevalence of family disease was 27.5% for hypercholesterolemia, 42.1% for hypertension, 26.9% for diabetes mellitus, 27.2% for obesity and 42.1% for cardiovascular disease. The percentual of 80.7% of the population surveyed showed at least one of these diseases in their previous family history. The prevalence of hypertension (systolic blood pressure levels > or = 140 mmHg) or/and diastolic blood pressure levels > or = 90 mmHg) was 7.0%. Hypertension was related to Body Mass Index (BMI), male sex and age. The percentual of 14.4% presented hypercholesterolemia (> or = 210 mg/dl), which was associated with age, BMI and family history of obesity and hypercholesterolemia. Nine hundred and eleven subjects (27.1%) were smokers. Differences related to sex were not found. Smoking was positively related to age and the career they had chosen. The examination detected one hundred and twenty-three (3.7%) students with cardiac problems. This was associated with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Preventive measures were suggested.