Cardio vascular risk assessment in Medical Students of a tertiary care center in Nepal.

Abstract

Introduction: Episodes of cardiovascular ailments in general is increasing and certain characteristics have been found to be linked with increase in risk of CVD. Medical profession too is not free of these associations.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk behaviors among students at a medical college in Pokhara.

Methods: 165 students were studied. Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Questionnaire, a standard set of questions, was used to estimate the cardiovascular risk scores. Anthropometric measurements were taken.

Results: Almost 30% of women and only 9% of men indicated low physical activity. Anxiety, depression, and irritability have been reported by both men and women at high frequency (40% vs. 50%, 50% vs. 68%, and 53% vs. 63%, respectively). Both men and women used antibiotics at extremely high rates (97% vs. 94%). Tobacco/alcohol intake was prevalent in 14.6% /8.5% respectively. High CVD risk ratio was found in 3%.  Around 38% of the students were having low physical activity with overall overweight/obesity rate at 43%. In the multiple response analysis, the very high percent of cases reported taking fried food 84.8%, starchy food 77.6% and soft drink 68.5% in high amount. Gender, mediation practice, family history of CVD and diabetes, feeling anxious, depression, irritability and physical activity were found to be significantly associated with risk of CVD.

Conclusion: High prevalence of many of the risk factors in this study that were also noted in the Interheart and Interstroke studies is the matter of sincere concern. We should all do our part to stop this from becoming a grave public health crisis.