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Hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular risk factors in university students as strategy of primary prevention

Abstract:

The cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major causes of morbidity and mortality at world-wide level and Venezuela is not the exception. To evaluate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and other risk factors for CVD in a population of young students of the University of Zulia, Venezuela. 155 students in ages between 17 and 22 years were evaluated. For the data collection a medical card was used. Values of fasting glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods. 19.35% and 18.71% of the students exhibited hipercholesterolemia and overweight, respectively, like major modifiable risk factors for ECV. 37.5% of individuals with overweight presented elevated cholesterol levels (p<0,03). Within the group of young students with hypercholesterolemia, 33.33% exhibited hypertriglyceridemia (p<0,001). 84.6% of the participants do not make regular physical activity, both in and outside of University. 25.16%; 46.46%; 58.71% and 52.90% referred to have family history of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, respectively. High blood pressure and smoking were infrequent CVD risk factors. The results of this study demonstrate that the student population exhibits risk factors and orient to a preventive intervention in these young people to prevent the development of ECV and its complications.