Is there Need for Assessing Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Urban Healthy Asymptomatic Individuals?

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death and disability in both developed and developing countries. This is attributed to the stress, high incidence of hypertension and the steep rise in the metabolic parameters like blood sugars, cholesterol. Studies on the prevalence of these risk factors especially in the younger age group are warranted to study the trend and to institute guidelines for periodicity of monitoring and management. Justifying the need for routine health screening for cardiometabolic risks in young urban asymptomatic healthy individuals is the main aim of our study. Primary prevention seeks to prevent new onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Methods: Young asymptomatic healthy individuals were subjected to history, examination and biochemistry as a prerequisite for joining various IT / BT companies. Dyslipidemia risk and impaired blood sugar levels were determined. Obesity classification based on BMI was as per the WHO Asiapacific criteria. We are incorporating the Lloyd- Jones/Framingham algorithm for estimating absolute risk for total ASCVD to age 80. Results: Prevalence of hypertension was 9% (reconfirmed on subsequent visits) while 9% had diabetes. Dysglycemia was thrice more common in males (M: F 3.1:1). Dyslipidemia was 3.3 times more common in males. Increased prevalence of dyslipidemia in young adults was found to be one of the major contributors of cardiovascular disease. Compared to the western population a relatively low level of cholesterol appears to predispose Indians to Coronary Artery Disease. Males with 91.47% and females with 2.02% were with high risk of ASCVD. Conclusion: Prevention and early recognition and intensive treatment are the best options to reduce the morbidity and mortality. Blood sugar and lipid analysis can be recommended at predefined intervals in young healthy asymptomatic individuals.