Prevalence of coronary risk factors in a young male population

pp 257-265

Abstract

Background

It is known that people suffering from early ischaemic heart disease have a greater prevalence of coronary risk factors: cigarette smoking, obesity and hypercholesterolaemia are the most prevalent. They are present in at least 40% of the young patients with myocardial infarction. The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronary risk factors among young Argentine males drafted into military service .

Method

A survey was conducted in Capital Federal among 1000 young males aged 18 to 23. They were asked to provide data on personal and family background, social and educational status and smoking habits in the interviewer's environment . Cholesterolaemia was researched in 245 young men chosen at random .

Results

Smoking had a strikingly high prevalence : 47.5% . Smokers were less educated and of lower social strata.

Sports practising people smoked less than sedentary ones. Smoking habits of the cohort were related to that of the people living with them (patients, spouses, girlfriends) . Cholesterol level and obesity have shown -a very strong correlation with each other .

Conclusions

Prevention strategies should be targeted mostly on the less educated segments of the population to achieve the highest impact on smoking rates in the coming years .