The prevalence of reversible cardiovascular risk factors in Israelis aged 25-55 years.
BACKGROUND
Coronary heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and intervention may reduce consequential morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of reversible and treatable cardiovascular risk factors among 26,477 healthy Israeli adults: 23,339 men and 3138 women aged 25-55 years.


METHODS
We collected data during routine examinations performed as part of a screening program for Israel Defense Force personnel.


RESULTS
The three most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were a sedentary lifestyle (64%), dyslipidemia (55.1%) and smoking (26.8%). Overall, 52.9% of the men and 48.4% of the women had two or more cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, 52.4% of young adult men and 43.3% of young adult women, age 25-34 years, had two or more reversible cardiovascular risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
In this expectedly healthy population there was a high prevalence of reversible and treatable cardiovascular risk factors in both genders and in young ages. These observations stress the need for routine health examinations and lifestyle modification programs even in the young healthy Israeli population.
Tekes-Manova
Dorit
D
Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Israel.
Israeli
Eran
E
Shochat
Tzipi
T
Swartzon
Michael
M
Gordon
Simon
S
Heruti
Rafi
R
Ashkenazi
Isaac
I
Justo
Dan
D
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology