BACKGROUND Routine screening of healthy individuals for the presence of cardiovascular risk factors is important for identification of high-risk coronary artery disease (CAD) patients at early stage and to provide preventive care. Considering the high burden of CAD, such investigations are of significant importance in Indian context. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, adult individuals (18 – 68 years) were evaluated for pre-existing diseases, lipid profile, blood glucose profile, thyroid profile, haemoglobin (Hb) and vitamins D3 and B12 levels after obtaining informed consent. These variables were compared between patients stratified based on their gender and age (< 40, 40 – 60, > 60 years). RESULTS A total of 1,508 participants (mean age: 49 ± 11 years; 49.9 % females) were investigated. Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, anaemia, vitamin D3 and B12 deficiencies, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism were observed in 31.2 %, 26.5 %, 32.0 %, 8.6 %, 35.3 %, 25.1 %, 21.0 % and 0.6 % of patients respectively. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia increased with ageing, while deficiencies of Hb, vitamin D3, and vitamin B12 as well as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were comparable across all age groups. Males were more prone to hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, while females were more prone to have Hb deficiency, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), vitamin D3, and vitamin B12 were elevated with increase in age, while Hb levels decreased. Males exhibited higher levels of TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TC / HDL, LDL / HDL, FBS, and Hb, while females displayed higher levels of vitamin D3 and B12. CONCLUSIONS Our findings verify the role of age and gender on majority of cardiovascular risk factors. The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is alarming and demands the need for appropriate health-care measures. KEYWORDS Age, Coronary Artery Disease, Gender, Risk Factor
Age- and gender-specific silent cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents: The PEP family heart study
