The Importance of Checkups for Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Young Adults in Turkey

Jale Erten (MD), Olcay Irmak (Msc.Bio), D.Eda Şavran (MD), L.Tuna Şengöz (MD)

Bilkent University East Campus Health Center

  

Summary

 

  We studied same cardiovascular risk factors amoung young adults at Bilkent University in Turkey. In particular, we assessed body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and lipid profiles. A BMI >25 was found in 15.8 % (male > female) putting them in the overweight a obese group. High levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were found in 15.1%, 9.8% and 19.2% of the subjects respectively. TG levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the overweight and obese group compared to the normal weight group. We think that young adults should undergo occasional health checkups and be informed about the results prevent Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) when they are older.