Cardiovascular Risk Factors among College Students

Result: All were students asymptomatic for CVD, 36 (15.5%) were smokers, 92 (39.6%) consumed mostly fatty diet, 17 (7.3%) were obese. 22 (9.5%) were physically inactive, 24 (10.3%) had positive parental history of CHD death, 49 (21.1%) had type A personality, 5 (2.2%) had diabetes mellitus, 13 (5.6%) had systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg, and 20 (8.6%) had diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg. The prevalence of smoking and physical inactivity was significantly higher among men than women. While obesity and parental history of CHD death were significantly more prevalent among older age group (> 30years) than in younger age group (<30 years). High serum cholesterol level was prevalent in 17 (7.3%), low level of HDL-C in12 (5.2%), high levels of LDL-C in 11 (4.7%), and high triglycerides level in5 (2.2). Low level of apo A was prevalent in 28 (16.2%) of men and 9 (15.3%) of women, while high level of apo B was prevalent in 12 (6.9%) of men compared to 2 (3.4%) of women. The prevalence of abnormal levels of HDL-C, TC/DL and LDL/HDL ratios were significantly higher among older age group (≥30years) than in younger subjects (<30 years). No significant difference in the prevalence of lipid risk factors was noted between men and women.