Syria: High rates of CVD risk factors

Syrian adults have some of the highest rates of CVD risk factors in the world, according to new research. More than 45% of adults have high blood pressure, 43% are obese, 30% have high cholesterol, and nearly 16% are diabetic. Low education and unemployment status greatly increase the prevalence of clinical risk factors. Prevalence of behavioural risk factors includes physical inactivity at 82%, smoking at 39%, and unhealthy diet at 34%; these risk factors are higher among people of lower socioeconomic status and education. Nearly 39% of people have two or more clinical risk factors, and nearly half of people have two or more behavioural risk factors.
"Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among adults in Aleppo, Syria"
International Journal of Public Health 2011; published online 4 August 2011
http://bit.ly/qCtqMH  

Date Posted: 17 August 2011