[Cardiovascular diseases risk factors knowledge among soldiers of the Polish army]. / Znajomosc czynników ryzyka chorób ukladu sercowo-naczyniowego wsród zolnierzy polskiej armii.

UNLABELLED: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of death and disability in Poland. There are many risk factors of CVD which are modifiable due to preventive strategies. Knowledge about these factors among population at risk of CVD is the most important condition for success of them. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the knowledge of CVD risk factors among soldiers of the Polish Army and try to identify a demographic factors influenced on them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Authors investigated the level of knowledge about CVD risk factors among 644 soldiers (aged between 18 to 62 years) using the special questionnaire. Whole group was analyzed according to a place of origin: city, town and village and according to a function: professionals and conscripts. RESULTS: Soldiers achieved a total score of 58.4% correct answers. Commonly known risk factors of CVD (average 82% of correct answers) in studied group were: obesity, tobacco smoking, high level of cholesterol and hypertension. Knowledge about above risk factors was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than about other. Lesser known risk factors (average 54% of correct answers) were: male gender, abnormal diet, sedentary lifestyle, family history of CVDs, diabetes, family history of heart infarction below 55 yrs and peripheral atherosclerosis. residents achieved 64.5% correct answers, town--61.5%, and village--58%. Professionals achieved 65.1% vs. 58.8% for conscripts. The level of knowledge about CVD risk factors are significantly higher among professionals than in urban population. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the need of continuation and developing new CVDs preventive strategies in Poland, especially among poor educated and village populations. There is a need to emphasize the role of lesser known, modifiable CVD risk factors (e.g., obesity, sedentary lifestyle) in existing and future health programs.

[C-reactive protein as a new risk factor of coronary heart disease in the population of young Polish males]. / Bialko C-reaktywne jako nowy czynnik zagrozenia choroba niedokrwienna serca w populacji mlodych zdrowych Polaków.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to measure the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and examine their relationship with traditional risk factors of the coronary heart disease. Methods and participants. We examined a group of 150 males aged between 18 and 24. Each participant underwent physical examination and gave his previous medical history which included the place of residence, family background and current medication. In each case blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) as well as waist/hip (W/H) ratio were established. The following biochemical parameters were measured in the serum of each participant: glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A-I and B (Apo A, Apo B), uric acid and C-reactive protein. LDL-cholesterol level was obtained from Friedewald's formula. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured by automatic DADE-Behring nefelometer. RESULTS: The results underwent variation, correlation and regression analyses. The mean age of participants was 20.5 +/- 1.2 years. The mean BMI, W/H ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as traditional coronary heart disease risk factors (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, Apo A, Apo B) were within reference range. The mean CRP level was 0.135 +/- 0.24 mg/dl. There was statistically significant positive correlation between CRP level and W/H ratio. There was statistically significant negative correlation between CRP level and HDL-cholesterol and Apo-A levels. There was no statistically significant correlation between CRP level and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed findings by other authors that there is a relationship between CRP level and other coronary heart disease factors such as W/H ratio and HDL-cholesterol. The lack of relationship between CRP level and smoking remains consistent with previous findings of Onat and Mendall. The mean CRP level in our study group was similar to CRP levels observed in large European populations.