Summary
Background. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality world - wide. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiology of atherosclerosis and eval u ate the level of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipopro tein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose in a group of young adults and assess their potential impact on the atherogenesis process aswell as compare with those markers in different people groups.
Material and methods. Healthy women (n=103) and men (n=80) aged 18–39 years were investigated for the classical biochemical markers of atherosclerosis during their preventive health check in Antakalnis Clinic. TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and glucose tests were performed by automatic analyzer Sapphire 800 (Audit Diagnostics, Ireland).
Results. The results show that 47.6% of women and 41.2% of men TC results exceed the reference ranges. Correspondingly LDL-C levels exceeded the reference range by 16.5% of women and 28.7% of men. Comparing subjects by age groups of 18–29 and 30–39 years statistically higher TC, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were found in 30–39 years group. Significantly higher TC, LDL-C, HDL-C concentrations were in 30–39 years women group. Whereas in 30–39 years men group only TC and LDL-C levels were statistically higher. HDL-C levels of 20% of patients were lower than reference and significantly higher in women than in men. Glucose concentration was statistically higher in men rather than women.
Conclusion. Prevalence of atherosclerosis markers in investi gated young adults is quite high. The risk of cardiovascular events in creases with age, men possessing higher risk than women.
