Epidemiology of risk factors of atherosclerosis and preventive program for youth.

In 2208 boys aged 15 to 22 years the incidence of risk factors of atherosclerosis were determined. The risk factors were found in 33.7% of boys. The level of risk factors in youth has increased with age (p = 0.001), especially hypertension (p = 0.001) and smoking (p = 0.001). The authors concluded that the most important methods of prevention of atherosclerosis in youth should be: identification of high-risk individuals (overweight, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of CHD and PAD, ischemic postexercise ST segment depression), health education and motivation for change, modification nutritional habits in cases of hyperlipidemia and overweight (prevention of early atherosclerotic lesions in childhood), early diagnosis and control of hypertension, practice of low salt intake, avoidance of smoking, sufficient physical activity (prevention of atherosclerotic disease mainly in adulthood).