10 Year Cardiovascular Risk Score Estimation in Military Personnel with Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently considered as the leading cause of death worldwide. The increasing prevalence of CV risk factors in the civilian population is also evident in the military population. Aim: The aim of this study is to estimate the 10 year cardiovascular risk among army personnel with hypercholesterolemia and its association with the major risk factors. Material and Method: The study included 739 male and female active military personnel with hypercholesterolemia who underwent the annual periodic physical health assessment from January 2019 to August 2019. Cardiovascular risk factors included sex, race, age ,total serum cholesterol, HDL serum cholesterol, hypertension , diabetes mellitus and smoking. Results: 91.9% men, 62,4% aged between 40 and 45 years, 16,1% smokers, 10,8% diabetics, 66.4% with uncontrolled hypertension, 56.7% with elevated total serum cholesterol >240 mg/dL. The results showed that 4.2% of the sample population had 5% or lower 10 year cardiovascular risk score, 45.1% had 5–10% 10 year cardiovascular risk score and 9.1% had 10% or higher 10-year CVD risk score. Chi – square test was used to estimate the association between 10-year CVD risk and major risk factors. It appears to be significant association between 10-year CVD risk score and major CVD risk factors(sex p<0,001, smoking p<0.001, total serum cholesterol p=0.019, HDL serum cholesterol p<0.001, hypertension p=0.011). Age was not a significant predictor of 10-year CVD risk in this study(p=0,678). Conclusion: The prevalence of major CVD risk factors is high among active military personnel with an associated high 10-year cardiovascular risk .The military health services must implement intervention programs to reduce these risks. CVD risk screening and CVD risk reduction activities must be reinforced in the military population in order to prevent acute CVD events ,allowing army personnel to remain physically fit and combat ready.