Traditional coronary risk factors in healthy Turkish military personnel between 20 and 50 years old: focus on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies presented the Turkish population as a typical example of nations with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Nevertheless, some recent studies opposed this suggestion. We aimed to examine the traditional cardiovascular risk factors in young-middle age male military professionals, focusing especially on HDL-c. Methods: In this observational and cross-sectional study, the data of 820 male military personnel between 20-50 years old (mean age: 35.3±6.9) who applied to the hospital for routine health examination were included. Blood biochemistry, arterial blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were noted. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test and ANCOVA. Results: The mean age was 35.3±6.9, body mass index was 25.8±3.4 kg/m 2 and waist circumference was 93.1±8.7 cm. HDL-c, low-density cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting blood glucose levels were 47.6±11.3, 120.4±33.2, 150.4±86.4 and 96,6±13.0 mg/dL, respectively. Only 23.2% of the participants had HDL-c level less than 40 mg/dL. The ratio of current smokers was 40.7%. Almost 66% of the participants (n=545) were making regular exercise. Mean systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures were 124.1±13.0 and 75.7±9.3 mm Hg, respectively. Conclusion: The "mean" levels of traditional coronary risk factors were in almost "normal" limits in healthy young-middle age male military professionals that were examined. It must be emphasized that the HDL-c level, which was defined as "genetically low in Turks" in some previous epidemiologic studies, was not really low. This finding may be due to relatively favorable life style of the study population. On the other hand, some recent population studies in Turkey had found HDL-c levels higher than it was thought. This issue needs further clarification in specific age groups without sedentary lifestyle. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2013; 13: 552-8) Key words: High density lipoprotein cholesterol, Turkish population, male, cardiovascular risk Original Investigation Özgün Araşt›rma 552ÖZET Amaç: Önceki çalışmalar Türk toplumunu, yüksek yoğunluklu lipoprotein kolesterolü (YYL-k) düşük seviyede seyreden toplumların tipik bir örne-ği olarak gösteriyordu. Ancak yeni bazı çalışmalar bu görüşün tersini desteklemektedir. Biz bu çalışmamızda genç-orta yaşlı profesyonel erkek askerlerde geleneksel kardiyovasküler risk faktörlerini, özellikle YYL-k düzeyleri üzerinde yoğunlaşarak araştırmayı hedefledik. Yöntemler: Rutin sağlık kontrolü için hastaneye başvuran 20-50 (ortalama yaş: 35,3±6,9) yaş arası 820 erkek askeri personel bu gözlemsel ve enine-kesitli çalışmaya dahil edildi. Kan biyokimyası, arteriyal kan basıncı ve antropometrik ölçümler kayıt edildi. İstatistiksel analiz KruskalWallis testi ve ANCOVA ile yapıldı. Bulgular: İncelenen grupta ortalama yaş 35,3±6,9, vücut kitle indeksi 25,8±3,4 kg/m 2 ve bel çevresi 93,1±8,7 cm idi. YYL -k, düşük yoğunluklu kolesterol, trigliserid ve açlık kan şekeri düzeyleri sırasıyla 47,6±11,3, 120,4±33,2, 150,4±86,4 ve 96,6±1...

The role of cardiovascular CT in occupational health assessment for coronary heart disease: An expert consensus document from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)

“…However, recruitment policies and differing health economies coupled with cultural and racial [131][132][133] variances may impact on background levels of cardiovascular disease (CVD). 134,135 As in the general population, age is an important determinant for CVD in the military, [124][125][126] with the incidence of death in the US military secondary to CAD for those <35 years of age being 0.65 per 100 000 service years, 13.69 in those >35 years of age, and 83.5 in those >50 years. 136 Overall annual rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) having decreased from 0.80 per 1000 person years to 0.68 per 1000 person years) over the past decade 136 but may now be again on the increase.…”