Self-awareness of soldiers regarding risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract

Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in Europe. There are more and more young people and middle-aged patients with obesity, unrecognized hypertension and metabolic abnormalities. Professional soldiers should not have CVDs. Most cardiovascular risk factors can be controlled and identified.

Material and methods: The research was conducted as the online survey. During the study, the level of knowledge regarding to cardiovascular risk factors depending on several variables, was assessed. Moreover, the assess respondents' awareness of exposure and the level of knowledge about risk factors for CVDs and preventive measures in this area.

Results: Almost one-fourth of respondents (23.4%, N = 311) indicated the knowledge of most or all cardiovascular factors such as: high level of cholesterol, tobacco smoking, advanced aged, abdominal obesity, alcohol abuse and others. The respondents demonstrated a sufficient level of factors influencing the increase of cholesterol lev- els in the blood.

Conclusions: The results obtained during the study show that educational programs are necessary to raise awareness of cardiovas- cular risk factors and reduce incidence rate in the next step. Conducting training on harmful agents can result in raising general health awareness among Polish Soldiers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(1).