Cardiovascular Risk Assesment at the Personnel of Turkish Armed Forces

AIM: In this study we aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk profile of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel and also to determine the ones at high risk. METHOD: Totally, 1311 individuals were participated in a questionnaire. Smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, family history, physical activity, previous cardiovascular disease or symptoms were interrogated. Of the 249 individuals with ≥2 risk factors or even not exist risk factors but having active cardiac complaint; 176 volunteers (%71) were performed physical examination, ECG, echocardiography, and biochemical tests (fasting glucose, lipid profiles etc) and the ones with high risk (n=14) were performed exercise stress test. Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-Square test, Fisher s exact test and Student t test using SPSS 11.0 for Windows. RESULTS: Of 1311 subjects (age 32.6 ± 6.7, %98.7 male), 24.3 % had no risk factors. Rate of Smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history, overweight (BMI>25 kg/m2), and inactivity were 43.0%, 5.2%, 2.7%, 17.5%, 28.8%, 20.8% and 20%, respectively. Rate of overweight, inactivitiy, and typical chest discomfort were significantly increased with age (p<0.001). Smoking was similar in all age groups. While the the ten year-Framingham risk score was %1.6 before 40 years old, it was significantly increased then. Of 176 subjects, when rated general poll population, cardiovascular diseases rate was 2.7% (coronary 0.6%, valvular 1.1%, rhytm-conductance 0.8%, and other -congenital, peripheral vascular etc. 0.2%) compared to whole group. 22 patient had left ventricular hypertrophy due to valvular diseases or hypertension. Newly diagnosed 15 patients were started on medication, and three subjects referred advanced medical center. CONLUSION: Risk stratification and modification gain importance for an earlier diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Similar society based projects could also reduce the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease in our country. [TAF Prev Med Bull. 2009; 8(5): 373-380]