Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among the Sharif University of Technologystudents.

Background. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality and disability in Iran and obesity is considered as one of the main causes. The primary prevention is a solution for prevention of this disease, especially from an early age. The studies regarding prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors are limited and unavailable in the university students especially in engineering students. 

Method. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 223 Sharif University of Technology students (150 male, mean age 20.33؛ and 73 female, mean age 20.36).  Data were collected by using questionnaire, blood analysis and anthropometric measurements.

Findings.The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.29% (male: 22.66%, female12.33%) and central obesity based on waist circumference index was 21.97% (male: 18%, female: 30.14%). Also, 60.09% of subjects were inactive and 43.5% had low HDL-C. High triglyceride levels and hypertension were observed in subjects (12.21% and 14.8%, respectively). There were at least two cardiovascular risk factors in 87% of subjects. There were positive correlations of body mass index with systolic blood pressure (r =0.224, P=0.0005) and triglyceride (r=0.147, P=0.014) and negative correlation between body mass index and HDL-C (r=-0.189, P=0.002).

Conclusion. The results showed that the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high among the students therefore, it is necessary to provide an appropriate evaluation and solution for prevention and health promotion.

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of women about cardiovascular diseases risk

factors.

Background. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases risk factors is increasing rapidly worldwide with

development of modernity and urbanization.

Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on women with age range of 14-66 years old. The

sample size was 735 women. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants. Data were

collected by a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed by content

analysis and test-retest methods. The data were analyzed by using SPSS software with appropriate

statistical tests.

Findings: The mean age of participants was 23.4± 5 years. The average body mass index of them was

21.7±3 kg/m. 50.1% of them had little information about cardiovascular diseases. The most common of

data gathering sources were radio and TV (65.3%). The most common of cardiovascular diseases risk

factors included smoking (93.2%), psychological stress (92.8%), obesity (91.2%), high blood triglyceride

(89.4%), and fatty rich food consumption (88.7%). 75.2% of participants achieved at least 50% of the mean

knowledge score. There were significant statistical correlation between knowledge score and increasing of

age and educational level and applying visual media such as TV (p=0.012, p=0.039, p=0.003 respectively).

There was no significant correlation between knowledge score and both marital and economic status.

Conclusion: It’s suggested to design educational programs according to age, gender, educational level and

culture of different groups of society in order to promote knowledge and control cardiovascular diseases

risk factors.

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in elderly of Kashan.

Background.The Iranian elderly population is rapidly growing. It is estimated that more than 10 percent of country population would be elderly in the forthcoming twenty years. Structural and physiological changes occurring in the elderly’s cardiovascular system are associated with a higher incidence of CVD in the elderly. Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death in the elderly.

Method.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 people over 60 years old in Kashan city, Iran, in 2014. Subjects were randomly selected from10healthcare centers of Kashan. A questionnaire was used to collect data including demographics, underlying diseases and risk factors for CVD. The data analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS 11.5.

Findings.The prevalence of risk factors for CVD was high among elderly people.

Conclusion. Teaching individuals, controlling risk factors and screening are suggested. It is also recommended that elderly people  increase physical activities and cease smoking.