ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) might begin with lifestyle-associated risk factors from childhood and grow to adulthood. High blood pressure, older age, male gender, diabetes mellitus, abnormal cholesterol levels, current smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity are all associated with an increased risk of CVD events. To classify a person's risk for a CVD event, risk factors can be combined in a variety of ways. The present study's aim was to assess the preventable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the young population.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 208 young participants of age between 15 to 20 years at the department Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi during the period from February 2021 to June 2021. Ethical approval was taken from the institutional ethical committee. Informed consent was obtained from each participant. Two steps procedures were followed for data collection. The first step was a questionnaire-based interview for demographic details and modifiable determinants. Secondly, Anthropometry parameters such as blood pressure and pulse were measured. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis.

Results: ​Of the total 208 participants, 110 (52.9%) were boys and 98 (47.1%) were girls. The overall mean age ± S.D was 17.2±1.8 years with an age range of 15 and 20 years. The incidence of hypertension and prehypertension was 28 (13.5%) and 57 (27.6%) respectively. The occurrence of obesity, tobacco consumption, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity were 31 (14.7%), 16 (7.7%), 108 (51.9%), and 159 (76.4%) respectively. About 70 (33.7%) of the students were found to be malnourished.

Conclusion: The present study found that poor diet, obesity, tobacco usage, and physical inactivity were the various risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the young age population. These risk factors have long-term consequences. Appropriate counseling and preventive strategies should be implied to mitigate the ravages of cardiovascular disease among the young generation.