Prevalence and accumulation of metabolic risk factors of cardiovascular disease in Finland

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death and disability in the world. We aimed to examine the prevalence of metabolic risk factors of CVD and their accumulation in the Finnish working-age population. Materials and methods The data consisted of individuals aged 20 to 69 who participated in the population-based Healthy Finland health examination survey in 2023 (n = 4375; participation rate 56%). We studied the accumulation of four risk factors: hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and central obesity. The information was collected using health examination measurements and blood samples. Information on medical conditions and medication use was collected using questionnaires and national register data. All analyses utilized weighting coefficients. Adjusted results (age, sex) were calculated via logistic regression. Results The most common CVD risk factor was hypercholesterolemia (male= 69%, female= 63%), followed by central obesity (m = 41%, f = 44%), hypertension (m = 44%, f = 34%) and diabetes (m = 11%, f = 6%). At least three risk factors were present in 26% in male and 23% in female participants, while 17% of males and 22% of females had no risk factors. The prevalence and accumulation of metabolic risk factors became more common with age. Of those aged 60-69, more than 10% had all four risk factors and almost half had at least three. Central obesity increased the risk of hypertension (OR 3.11; 95% CI 2.61-3.71), diabetes (OR 3.97; 95% CI 2.86-5.52) and hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.48-2.07) compared to those without central obesity. Conclusions 81% of all participants had at least one metabolic risk factor for CVD and 50% had at least two. High prevalence and accumulation of CVD risk factors remains a major threat to future morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs in the Finnish working-age population. It is particularly important to identify those individuals with several simultaneous risk factors. Key messages • Metabolic risk factors for CVD are common in the Finnish working-age population, with high prevalence especially hypercholesterolemia and central obesity. • If the increasing prevalence of risk factors is not addressed, morbidity, mortality and health care costs can be expected to increase in the future as the population ages.